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Wing welcomes new honorary commanders

  • Published
  • By Bryan MagaƱa
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Senior leaders from Hill AFB welcomed a select group of local business leaders into the new Team Hill Honorary Commander Program here Jan. 23.

The THHCP is designed to increase public awareness and understanding of Hill's diverse mission areas and build positive relationships the local community. The newly combined program brings together honorary commanders from the 419th Fighter Wing, 388th Fighter Wing, Ogden Air Logistics Complex, and 75th Air Base Wing, who will come together for shared events throughout the year.

As part of the kickoff event, honorary commanders toured key areas of each organization before being formally welcomed into the program during a ceremony that afternoon.

The 419th FW inducted six honorary commanders into the THHCP:

Tage Flint
Flint is the general manager/CEO of Weber Basin Water Conservancy District. He is president of the Utah Defense Alliance and chair elect of the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Davis Chamber of Commerce Board of Governors, Utah Drinking Water Board, Utah Water Users Association board, and Governor's "Utah Water Plan" Advisory Committee.

Paul Swenson
Swenson is president of Colonial Flag. He was an Army Reserve Ambassador from 2007 to 2011, a board member on the Sandy Chamber of Commerce, and an honorary colonel for the Utah National Guard. He is paired with the 419th FW vice commander select, Col. Thomas Klingensmith.

Bart Miller
Miller is senior vice president of sales at Goal Zero. He is a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, coaches Kaysville City basketball, and is a Weber State University MBA Alumni Associate. He was recently featured in Utah Business "40 Under Forty." He is paired with the 419th Mission Support Group commander, Col. Paul Theisen.

Jerry Cook
Cook is president of Interform Graphics. He's also a member of the Board of Governors for the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. He is paired with the 419th Operations Group commander, Col. Brian Silkey.

Scott Sluis
Sluis is vice president of the Ogden Financial Center for Zions Bank. He is a board member for the Historic 25th Street Association, Davis Chamber of Commerce, Ogden Symphony Ballet Association, and Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College. He is also president of the Rotary Club of Ogden and secretary of the Ogden-Weber Convention & Visitors Bureau. He is paired with the 419th Maintenance Group commander, Col. Patrick Webb.

Bryan Detweiler
Detweiler is director of event operations and military liaison for Miller Motorsports Park. He serves on the Tooele County Mid-Valley Highway Council and Tooele County Chamber of Commerce. He also coaches a high school girls' basketball team. He is paired with the 466th Fighter Squadron commander, Lt. Col. David Castaneda.