CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Kaleth O. Wright
18th CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT OF THE AIR FORCE (RET)
Kaleth O. Wright is the Chief Executive Officer for the Air Force Aid Society. In this role, he oversees an annual budget of $20 million and manages an endowment of more than $140 million. A 32-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Kaleth led multiple organizations concluding as the 18th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force where he served as the senior advisor to Chief of Staff on all issues impacting over 600,000 Total Force Airmen.
As a dynamic, engaging and motivating speaker, Kaleth has delivered over 200 keynote addresses to audiences across the globe. He has over 10,000 hours teaching, coaching and providing leadership expertise to both individuals and audiences ranging from first-line supervisors to C-Suite executives. He has extensive experience in international leadership and development where he has championed leadership programs for 17 partner nations, as well as legislative affairs where he has worked with Congress to enhance quality of life policies and programs for service members and their families.
Kaleth earned his B.S. in Business Management from the University of Maryland (Global Campus), an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and has studied executive leadership at such distinguished programs as the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government’s Center for Public Leadership, Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business, Howard University’s School of Business, as well as the Center For Creative Leadership and the DOD’s National Defense University.
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CMSgt JOHN A. FARRELL III, USAF (RET)
CMSgt John A. Farrell III (Ret) entered the U.S. Air Force (USAF) in 1978. He served in many positions and assignments throughout his 26-year USAF career, including working for 10 years as a First Sergeant within the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), and on the AETC Inspector General’s team. After leaving active duty, he worked for several Fortune 500 companies as a Human Resources executive. In May 2016, he was hired as the Director of Human Resources for the Society and assumed his current position as the Chief Operating Officer in January 2021. As part of the executive leadership team, he is responsible for managing the Society’s program portfolio and budget.
CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
NICOLE AYALA
Nyvia “Nicole” Ayala serves as the Chief Human Resource Officer for the Air Force Aid Society. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working in Accounting and Employee Relations. She earned her B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix with a minor in Human Resource Management. Nicole began her career at HQ AFAS as the Administrative Assistant for the Chief Financial Officer. Over her 8 years with the Society, she continued to move up the ranks. In her current role as part of the executive leadership team, she is responsible for planning, leading, and coordinating policies and training, ensuring compliance, and helping to implement the organization’s mission and strategy.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
JESSICA BURRIS
Jessica Burris is the Chief Financial Officer for the Air Force Aid Society. She is a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in finance. Her 20+ years in the finance field have prepared her for such an important role.
Jessica’s career has been across many sectors, but she has a special place in her heart for non-profit work, as is evident by her years of service to such organizations like the American Red Cross, where she traveled internationally, providing financial leadership and management to critical health, disaster preparedness, and response programs.
A daughter of a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (Ret.), daughter-in-law to a retired Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander (Ret.), and sister-in-law to an Air Force Master Sergeant, Jessica feels a great sense of honor, respect, and responsibility in her current role as CFO.
CHIEF OF STAFF
KRISTINA McBRIDE
Kristina “Kris” McBride serves as the Chief of Staff for the Air Force Aid Society. In this role, she collaborates with the CEO and executive team to determine and prioritize business strategies, provides insight and analysis on the company’s operations, and serves as an advisor to the CEO on both strategic and tactical matters. A 26-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Kris served at multiple organizations within the personnel career field, as a professional military education commandant, and culminated her career as a Command Chief Master Sergeant. She earned her B.S in Management from American Military University, a Master of Strategic Studies from Air University’s, Air War College and has studied executive leadership at such distinguished programs as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Center For Creative Leadership and the Department of Defense’s National Defense University.
CHIEF MISSION ADVANCEMENT OFFICER
ROBERT L YORK JR.
Robert York serves as the Chief Mission Advancement Officer for the Air Force Aid Society.
Robert comes from a military family and has over 24 years of experience in the non-profit sector in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area as a proven award-winning leader.
He earned a B.A. in public relations from the University of Central Oklahoma. Robert will be working with the AFAS team and board of trustees to replace “Development” with “Mission Advancement” to incorporate all development strategies, including donor relations and management that can also include agency event management, corporate philanthropy, major fundraising appeals, donor retention, and cultivation as it relates to the AFAS mission that can oversee agency marketing and communications for a full comprehensive improved approach to replace industry standards around “development.”
Jasmin Billmyre
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Christina Brown
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Christy Gao
Senior Staff Accountant
Philip Langer
Mission Advancement Grant Writer
Jasmine Pletzer
Mission Advancement Manager
CMSgt Beatriz Swann, USAF (Ret)
Operations Manager
Melissa Blair
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Lisa Donald
Loan Management Officer
Timothy Holmes
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Sarah McNulty
Education Program Manager
Nakeecha Pumphrey
Executive Assistant
Cailyn Thomas
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Jennifer Briel
Education Programs Officer
Janet Duckworth
Senior Emergency Assistance Caseworker
India Horne
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Marshall Padgett
Mission Advancement Strategist
John Seo
Staff Accountant
Jennifer Williams
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Jasmine Brockett
Mission Advancement Associate
Diana Fazylova
Controller
Carolyn Klinger
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Stephen Philiposian
Emergency Assistance Caseworker
Kimberly Smith
Emergency Assistance Caseworker