Florida Defense Support Task Force

Most recently, General Diehl served as Deputy Director of Engagement, Plans and Policy Directorate, Headquarters U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. As Deputy Director, General Diehl was responsible for building and maintaining military-to-military bilateral relationships with 22 countries in the command's area of responsibility. Additionally, he was responsible for the guidance and sustainment of more than 70 Coalition nations supporting the United States in fighting the global war on terrorism. General Diehl received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1975. A command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the C-130, KC-135 and C-141, he commanded the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill AFB, and the 62nd Airlift Wing at McChord AFB, Washington.

Tom Neubauer is the owner and President of ERA Neubauer Real Estate, Inc., a leading brokerage and management company with offices serving Florida’s Bay, Gulf, Washington, and Walton Counties. He formed his firm in 1977 where he and his wife Margaret have worked together for 41 years. Mr. Neubauer grew up in an Air Force family and has maintained close ties to the military in various capacities. In June 2018 he was presented the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) Community Leadership Award at a ceremony in Washington DC.

Career United States Air Force (USAF) officer, retiring as a Colonel, and the 45th Space Wing (SW) Vice Commander. Responsible for over 10,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, with a $3.5 billion budget and units encompassing 15 million square miles on the Eastern Range (ER). Commanded a space operations group, the USAF Weapons School space squadron, and a fighter flight. Certified as Eastern Range (ER) Launch Decision Authority, responsible for public safety and “go-for-launch” for operations conducted on nation’s largest and busiest space launch range. Administered all safety and operational requirements for launch systems on the ER, including Delta II, Delta IV, Titan IV, Atlas III, Atlas V, Pegasus, Navy’s Trident, and NASA’s Space Transportation System (STS) — as well as potential future systems including SpaceX, Kistler Aerospace and NASA’s follow-on manned and unmanned programs. Synthesized emerging Federal Aviation Administration space launch rules with DoD regulations. Award fee board member for multiple major ER contracts: Kennedy Space Center (KSC)/ Cape Canaveral AFS Joint Base Operating Support Contract, Range Technical Support Contract, and Launch Operations and Support Contract. Increased contractor productivity to nation via thoughtful award fee determinations. Coordinated federal range and launch issues with state agencies. Worked with the Florida Lieutenant Governor and other members of the Governor’s Space Commission on multiple high-impact issues, including lease renegotiations, regulations, and USAF support to Florida universities and colleges. Established and maintained close working relationship with Florida Space Authority as well as new Space Florida organization. Reorganization recommendations adopted will increase Florida’s commercial space market. KSC/45th SW Joint Policy Group Co-chairperson (with KSC Deputy Director). Tackled difficult issues regarding joint (NASA/USAF) operations that proved unworkable by staff. Issues included vital safety concerns in the days leading to the STS-114 return-to-fly mission. Additional topics included joint contract recompetes, airspace, joint security, launch complex utilization, launch-head radar requirements, and renegotiation of the KSC/45th SW Memorandum of Agreement. Routinely utilized Work-Breakdown Structure (WBS) to manage high cost, complex systems. Reenergized flagging ER instrumentation sustainment and modernization program, worth over $100 million – program was five years old and failed to deliver range systems while spending over $20 million. After leading a revamp of the program, four systems were delivered within two years, on budget. Initiated a major radar replacement program with developer after determining a critical radar was becoming detrimental to operations. This new system is ahead of schedule and below cost. Directed operations to assist the Prime Minister of Antigua with a potentially catastrophic chemical/explosive situation. The relationship sparked by this event, and developed over multiple meetings since, has resulted in tangible gains for US interests. Relationship developed with the British Administrator of Ascension Island and the Island Council garnered similar benefits on the British Overseas Territories’ South Atlantic Island. Responsible for airfield operations at 3 widely separated locations – Patrick AFB, CCAFS, and Ascension Island. Slashed Air Traffic System Evaluation Program writeups, increasing operational effectiveness and safety at all three airfields. The inspection under his watch was “best seen in history” by major command inspectors. Formulated extremely sensitive national and DoD strategic influence and information operations strategy and operations in the days immediately following 9-11. Directed Joint Staff’s highly classified Special Technical Operations planning with USCENTCOM for Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. Personally briefed same to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, all other Joint Chiefs, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council for deployment and execution approval. USAF Flight Safety/Accident Investigation school graduate. As Chief of Flight Safety at the 20th Fighter Wing, identified and corrected adverse maintenance and operations trends, and investigated multiple Class A (aircraft destroyed/deaths), Class B ($100,000 loss), Class C ($10,000 loss) flight mishaps. Briefed senior military leaders, as well as crew members, on results of major accident investigations. National Defense Fellow, General Ridgway Center for International Security Studies, University of Pittsburgh. Studied international politics and diplomacy, taught several politico-military classes as adjunct faculty, mentored doctoral students preparing for US Diplomatic Corps testing, and published thesis “The Space of Aerospace Power – Why and How.” Joint Chiefs of Staff Special Technical Operations officer. USAF Fighter Weapons School graduate. Fighter aviator, DESERT SHIELD/STORM combat veteran, strike package mission commander, tactics developer and combat mission planner. National Defense Fellow at the Ridgway Center for International Security Studies. Graduate of USAF’s top strategy school, the School of Advanced Airpower Studies (SAAS). Senior executive (and corporate pilot) for large government contractor firm. Business development work has included multiple billion-dollar defense and non-defense contracts supporting military and civil space programs. Key contributor to Florida’s new space corporation; co-authored Space Florida’s Strategic Business Plan. President/CEO of GTOPS, Inc. Provides consulting services to Space Florida and the Florida Governor’s Office regarding military space activities in Florida. Chief Operating Officer of Security Clearance Pathway, LLC. Provides mentoring services for college students wishing to obtain federal security clearances upon graduation. USCG 100-ton Master (with towing and sailing endorsements). Skippers various 40–50-foot sailing catamarans in Key West on day and week-long charters. Boat delivery skipper. Associate Professor at College of the Florida Keys. Instructs seamanship, coastal navigation and USCG captain’s courses. Extremely involved in community affairs. Has worked state and local government spending and taxation issues, defense and NASA-related government interaction, as well as local government code enforcement. As vice chairman of the USAF Space and Missile Museum Foundation, has assisted in reinvigorating the USAF’s only museum highlighting our nation’s history in both civil and military space flight. Married to the former Dania Douglas, of Tempe, Arizona, since 1984. Two adult daughters. Holds Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration. Hobbies include sailing, flying and golf.

Thomas G. Bowman was nominated by President Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as The Deputy Secretary of The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 3, 2017. He retired from the VA on June 15, 2018 . and established TGB Strategies LLC to advice, counsel and assist on Veteran and Military issues. Prior to being sworn in as Deputy Secretary, Mr. Bowman served as Majority Staff Director of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. From 2012 to 2014, he served as Special Assistant for Veterans Research at the University of South Florida in Tampa, and from 2009 to 2012 he served as Senior Advisor to the Director of VA’s Sunshine Healthcare Network serving Veterans in Florida, Southeastern Georgia, and the Caribbean. Mr. Bowman’s previous appointments within VA were Chief of Staff of VA, Deputy Chief of Staff of VA, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, Acting Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Executive Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs. Before joining VA in 2002, Mr. Bowman served as Senior Counsel to the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee. Mr. Bowman was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps through the NROTC Program at the University of Texas in 1969. From 1970 through 1975, he served as a platoon commander, company commander, and battalion, regimental, and division staff officer with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Marine Divisions in Southeast Asia, Okinawa, and the U.S. After law school, he was assigned to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., where he served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and Law Center Director. He then served as the Marine Corps Representative and Instructor of Law at the Naval Justice School and a guest lecturer at the Naval War College, Newport, R.I., from 1983 to 1988. Mr. Bowman left active duty in 1988 to become an assistant district attorney in southeastern Massachusetts but was recalled to active duty during the Gulf War. Released in May 1991, he practiced law concentrating in military and Veterans issues before returning again to active duty in 1994. He retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel in October 1999, after serving as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Secretary Bowman is a member of the Board of Directors for The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV).

Rear Adm. (ret) Stanley D. Bozin, a native of Union, N.J., graduated from Rutgers College of Engineering at New Brunswick, N.J., in 1974 with a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Engineering. He received his commission in November of 1974 through the Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program and was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1975. He is a 1986 graduate of the Naval Post Graduate School, earning a master of science degree in Financial Management.

Major General James O. Eifert, The Adjutant General of Florida, is the Governor’s senior military advisor and serves as director of a state agency, the Florida Department of Military Affairs. As Adjutant General, he is responsible for the training and operations of the Florida National Guard, which is comprised of approximately 12,000 Soldiers and Airmen. He previously served as the Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Since retirement, General Haddad continues to serve as an advisory board member for Mission United, an organization that has teamed with the VA and The United Way to assist veterans with transition, employment, benefits and numerous other support networks. He was also appointed by the Senate Majority Leader to a seat on the Florida Defense Support Task Force. The task force makes recommendations to preserve and protect military installations and missions; supports state’s position in research and development related to or arising out of military missions and contracting, and finding ways to improve the state’s military friendly environment for service members, dependents, military retirees and businesses that bring military and base-related jobs to the state. The General is also a board member for the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance whose mission is to promote a collaborative and engaged environment that vigorously supports a robust and growing defense community. Unified in actions, a forum of strategic thinkers, provides vital linkage to all organizations supporting our military personnel and their families Maj. Gen. Richard S. "Beef" Haddad retired in 2016 as Vice Commander, Air Force Reserve Command. He directed the daily operations of the command, with 70,000 Citizen Airmen and more than 300 aircraft among three numbered air forces, 33 flying wings, 10 flying groups and one space wing. He also served as Deputy Chief of the Air Force Reserve in the Pentagon. General Haddad is a veteran special operations pilot with hundreds of hours of combat flying in the AC130 Spectre Gunship and the MC130 Combat Talon during Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. His aerial combat awards include three Distinguished Flying Crosses with “V for Valor” device, and five Air Medals. He has deployed to combat zones eight times during his career. Following September 11th, General Haddad commanded the 711th Special Operations Squadron through operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, during which the unit compiled more than 5,000 combat hours of accident-free flying and is still recognized as the most combat-decorated Reserve flying unit. General Haddad was commissioned through the Air Force Academy in 1981. He served in a variety of flying and command positions in the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. General Haddad was the first Air Force general officer nominated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as Commander, Special Operations Command Korea. He is a retired American Airlines pilot. He is married to Ginger, a retired Air Force Colonel and Judge Advocate. They have two daughters, Alexandra, an attorney, and Victoria, a Physician.

Keith Hoskins is Senior Vice President of Greater Pensacola for Navy Federal Credit Union. He is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of over 8,300 team members located on the Brian L. McDonnell campus in Pensacola, Florida. Keith joined the Navy Federal team in April of 2019. Prior to his current leadership role, he was the Western District General Manager/Military Affairs Manager for Gulf Power Company, overseeing and directing all operations for Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Keith served 27 distinguished years in the United States Navy, retiring at the rank of Captain.

Kay Rasmussen is an accomplished national board-certified economic developer currently serving as the Associate Director for One Okaloosa Economic Development Council in Northwest Florida. She oversees the day-to-day business and financial operations for the non-profit organization. Additionally, she is the executive officer leading the tri-county Defense Support Initiatives Committee; a military issues advocacy group. Ms. Rasmussen co-founded and organized the five-county Northwest Florida Defense Coalition to interface at the local, state and Federal levels supporting the regional military installations. She has authored position papers on military-related issues such as protecting the Eastern Gulf Test & Training Range from oil drilling and related activities, Veteran and family topics, military construction (MILCON), Gulf Range Enhancement (GRE), and strategic basing factors. She is an Alumnus of the Air Force Air University Air War College National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. A subject matter expert on military-community partnerships, Ms. Rasmussen is a featured panelist for the Building Partner Aviation Capacity Seminars sponsored by the USAF Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field, Florida. She stood up work groups and managed targeted subject matter experts under the Tri-County Community Partnership Initiative, such as the Childcare Task Force and the Purple Star School Task Force. She is a veteran speaker at the national Association of Defense Communities’ conferences. Ms. Rasmussen was published by the International Economic Development Journal with, A Unique Partnership Protects Defense Economy and Ecosystems: The Northwest Florida Greenway.

Representative Tyler I. Sirois (pronounced sir-roy) is a lifelong resident of Brevard County elected to the Florida House of Representatives on November 6, 2018. Sirois is Vice President of Human Resources at Atlantic Development, a site development company in Cocoa, Florida, and previously served as Executive Director for the Office of the State Attorney. In 2022, Sirois was appointed Chairman of the House Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee. He is currently Chairman of the Regulatory Reform and Economic Development Subcommittee. Representative Sirois has authored bills advancing Florida’s commercial aerospace industry, promoted free market solutions in healthcare, and sponsored a variety of water projects for the Indian River Lagoon Estuary. Representative Sirois is a past president and current board member of the Friends of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard. A graduate of Florida State University, Representative Sirois and his wife, Katy, reside on Merritt Island and have two children.

Reeves Valentine is the Vice President of Enterprise Sustainment Solutions at Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions. He leads a team of more than 1,450 global employees who support mission readiness for the United States and its allies around the world through the sustainment of support equipment, avionics test equipment, logistics information systems, defense maintenance solutions, supply chain services and component depot repairs. This diverse portfolio of products and capabilities spans 65 countries and is valued at more than $1.4 billion. Previously, Mr. Valentine was Vice President of F-35 Logistics, where he was responsible for leading the development, delivery, operations and sustainment of ALIS, the F-35 Logistics I.T. backbone. He also served as the Director of Sikorsky Maritime Programs, leading all aspects of program execution for U.S. Navy and Foreign Military Sales Naval Hawk programs, Executive Transport Programs, CH-53E Marine programs, and aftermarket programs supporting U.S. Navy and Marine Corps products. Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Mr. Valentine served seven years as an officer in the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk aviator. He held positions of increasing responsibility including platoon leader, operations manager and company commander. He served in South Korea, Iraq and within the United States. As an aviator, Mr. Valentine accumulated 1,000 flight hours, including 200 combat hours, and was awarded the Combat Air Medal and Bronze Star Medal during his service in Iraq. Mr. Valentine is proud to serve as an executive champion for the Lockheed Martin Military Veterans Business Resource Group, a network focused on promoting an inclusive environment for all employees and assisting those transitioning from military service to the workforce. He is also a Lockheed Martin spokesperson and volunteer for Home For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives. Mr. Valentine holds a Bachelor of Science in General Management from West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University. In addition to serving on the Florida Defense Support Task Force, he currently sits on the Enterprise Florida board of directors to guide economic development in the state.

Senator Wright was elected to the Senate in 2018 and represents Senate District 14, which consists of parts of Brevard and Volusia Counties. He currently serves as Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Space. He serves on four additional committees; The Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs; Commerce and Tourism; Environment and Natural Resources and the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee. He is also proud to serve as Co-Chair of the Florida Space Caucus.