BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Five civic leaders from communities across Northern California were inducted as the 940th Wing's 2014 honorary commanders at a ceremony hosted by the Beale Military Liaison Committee, April 16, at Peach Tree Golf Club in Marysville, California.
This year's inductees include Whitney Bibbins, CEO of Mather Sports Village, Inc.; Toni Scholz, sales director, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Roseville; Matthew Eschrich, sales director, Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce; Nicholas McGill, news media director, Heroik Media; and Charles Cinnamon, retired Roseville financial planner.
The reserve wing's honorary commander program has grown over the past couple of years, from one to five participants.
"We're excited about expanding our honorary commander program and extremely pleased to have such an enthusiastic group of representatives from the local area participating in this vital civic relations outreach," said Col. John Trnka, Jr., 940th Wing commander. "We welcome each of our honoraries to the 940th Wing family and look forward to building a valuable, long-lasting relationship."
Trnka said the wing's honorary commander program is a unique opportunity to foster an understanding of the Air Force and, in particular, the Reserve. He called the program "a two-way street," adding that participants are selected from a cross-section of the entire community because of their civic leadership.
"Over their term as honorary commander, they'll become intimately familiar with our missions and the Citizen Airmen who serve here at Beale. With that knowledge, we hope these civic leaders will, in turn, positively impact public support for the base."
In accordance with Air Force regulation governing the program, an honorary commander serves for a maximum three-year term. Eschrich is beginning his second year as the 940th Mission Support Group's honorary commander. He said becoming involved with the base and the Reserve wing at Beale has been one of the best decisions he's ever made.
"I've had the opportunity to meet the upper echelon of this great base, as well as the service members who diligently work day-in and day-out to ensure the security and safety of our great nation," Eschrich said.
He said his goal this year is to become even more involved and to learn "what it takes to lead a team of airmen."
"In the civilian world, we're unaccustomed to, sometimes even intimidated by, our local military bases. I believe this is the case mainly because there's not opportunity to become involved. The honorary commander program is a catalyst to make that possible," he said.
"I'm happy to be a part of the bridge building (between the base and the community), and I'd encourage others to step out and do the same."