Commander
Vice Commander
Director of Operations
Director of Support
Director of Training
Director of Financial Management
Director of Information Management
Director of Public Affairs
National HQ Advisor
National Commander
Gabrielle Wilson was born at Holloman AFB in Alamogordo, New Mexico. She has lived in Colon, Michigan for the past 18 years. Having both parents serve in the United States Air Force, and her father still in the Air National Guard as an A-10 pilot has kept Gabrielle around the military her entire life. She has been brought up with the basic core values in her everyday life. She attended Colon High School, where she held many leadership positions as the president of the Student Council, treasurer of the Spanish Club, secretary of the Youth Advisory Council, secretary of the Environmental Club, planning president in SADD, captain of both her Track and Cross Country teams, and was a very active member in the school’s National Honor Society.
Along with being a very involved student, Gabrielle was also very driven to excel academically by making Academic All-State in three Varsity sports, and graduating as the Valedictorian from her class with a 4.0 GPA. After High School she was accepted into Michigan State University where she now is enrolled in ROTC and is again being one of the most involved cadets throughout the Detachment. Aside from being extremely involved in AAS, she has taken on other roles such as Silver Eagles Drill Team vice commander, Silver Eagles Drill Team assistant director of training, helped organize Relay for Life in the Spring, was the FTPA for wing staff, and has held various POP positions. Being a leader to her peers and being a standout cadet has placed Gabrielle aside from the rest. She has been chosen for many opportunities such as traveling to extra things through the detachment like NCLS and she has been chosen for very competitive PDTs like the Freefall jump school program which she attended this past summer.
Gabrielle is ecstatic to go to field training over the upcoming summer and can’t wait to come back as a POC, able to mentor many younger cadets and help the cadet wing out. In her free time, she likes to run competitively in races like the American Odyssey Relay race, cheer on Michigan State’s mighty Spartans, and hang out in the small town she comes from. She loves adventures, and all the challenges that come along with them.
National Vice Commander
Justin Soeder was born in Rochester, Michigan and has lived nearby in Sterling Heights, Michigan for the past 18 years. Growing up, the military had always been a direction he considered taking. Instilled with passion and the mentorship from his grandfather, he took on academic hurdles early in pursuit of a degree in engineering. His hard work gained him acceptance into a highly competitive accelerated math, science, and technology program in Macomb, Michigan where he would easily rank among the top in his class through coursework in calculus, college-level physics, statistics, and computer programming.
Outside of school, Justin committed himself early to community service through the church. He has gone on several Mission trips and has volunteered at the yearly MCREST volunteer homeless shelter program since he was very young. He has volunteered countless hours of service to the church community in services, fundraisers, and social events. He fully embraces service to others before himself. The transition to college and Air Force ROTC has been almost seamless.
Justin continues to excel academically above his peers and constantly seeks ways to use his talents to serve others. Arnold Air Society provides him with a gateway to serve the community and the cadet corps. Justin has used his position as the Area VI Director of Support to complete various projects and provide mentorship to other squadrons. He remains very active in both the squadron and in the cadet corps, volunteering his time wherever possible. Justin’s commitment to excellence has provided him with incredible opportunities and recognition. He is excited and eager to tackle each challenge that comes his way.
National Director of Operations
Andrew Doenitz was born in Ann Arbor, MI, living in Canton, MI until kindergarten. He moved to Plymouth, MI, which he still proudly calls home. He attended Our Lady of Good Counsel grade school in Plymouth, and Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor. He attributes his willingness to serve to the values these institutions taught.
Throughout his four years of high school, Andrew’s bright and outgoing personality and willingness to lead gained him many leadership positions. These positions included Student Government Representative, Student Government Assemblies Coordinator, Head Percussionist, Rocket Club President, Stock Market Investment Vice President, and a Christian retreat leader. He worked at a local restaurant throughout his high school career, attaining a management position his senior year. Andrew even worked with the school’s administration to create a class for himself and other students by writing the syllabus and planning the semester’s curriculum. These positions and experiences have helped him to develop excellent communication techniques, valuable teamwork skills, outstanding organizational habits, and dynamic followership. After his first semester in college and ROTC, Andrew earned the Commander’s Leadership Scholarship, a Type 1 scholarship.
As the Director of Operations for the Bek Squadron, Andrew has collaborated with multiple organizations in the Kalamazoo area at all levels: congressional offices, city and county government, non-profit organizations and even sister Army ROTC units. He attributes his strong work ethic to his parents, who taught him to take pride in everything he does, and would not be where he is today without his faith in God.
National Director of Support
James Hunter was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, but only lived there temporarily before his father enlisted in the United States Army. Since then, James has gone on to live in various places around the U.S. and Europe. He went on to attend two high schools; first was Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona for a year and a half, then Wiesbaden High School in Wiesbaden, Germany for the remainder of his high school career.
While in high school, James was a part of the JROTC program for all four years, experiencing both Army JROTC in Arizona, and then Air Force JROTC in Germany. Because of his leadership qualities, James was invited to attend several summer training programs while in high school, including Boys State in Maryland, which was run with the help of the Naval Academy, and an Army Summer Leadership School held in Grafenwoehr, Germany. James went on to become the Vice Wing Commander for his unit in Wiesbaden, Germany. Aside from JROTC, he also helped lead his varsity basketball team to the 2008 European Championship game and graduated in the top 15% of his class. His senior year was topped off by being awarded an AFROTC high school scholarship.
While in AFROTC at Michigan State University, James has taken on various leadership roles including the Drill Team Vice Commander, Cadet Wing XO, AAS training XO, and several other positions, and is looked up to as a leader by his classmates. He hopes to continue this amazing experience by taking up the unique challenge of being a part the Arnold Air Society National Staff.
National Director of Training
Andrew Lake was born in New York and moved to Michigan when he was 2 years old. He attended Harrison High School in Farmington Hills, MI where he was actively involved in sports, National Honor Society, choir, and band. Andrew graduated high school with high honors and with a community service cord.
After graduation, he set off for Michigan State University where he joined AFROTC in his junior year of college. He immediately applied himself and got involved with Arnold Air Society his first semester, and pledged drill team his second semester while going through Field Training Preparation. He has served in many positions through the detachment as well as his Arnold Air Society squadron and is always looking for opportunities to not only apply what he’s learned but to continue to learn and grow.
National Director of Financial Management
Hannah Pyncheon was born and raised in the small town of Iron Mountain, Michigan and attended Kingsford High School. Throughout high school, Hannah had many leadership roles. She was a member of S.A.D.D., President of F.C.C.L.A (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), and a Varsity cheerleader.
In the summer of 2007, Hannah received a scholarship to attend Michigan Girl’s State, where she learned hands-on about today’s government. During her senior year in high school, she was named Most Valuable Player for Varsity Cheerleading, was in the top ten percent of her graduating class, and was one of two recipients of the M.C.C.A Betty Buchner scholarship. In her senior year, she received an Air Force ROTC High School Scholarship and planned on attending Michigan State University in the fall of 2008.
Hannah has had many leadership experiences within ROTC, including AAS Squadron Vice Commander, AAS Area VI Finance Manager, and Information Manager of Silver Eagles Drill Team. She believes being the National Director of Financial Management would be a great experience, and is prepared for the responsibilities this role has.
National Director of Information Management
Clark Albers grew up in Plymouth, MI. He is the oldest of three siblings. For grade school, Clark went to Our Lady of Good Counsel, a local private school in downtown Plymouth.
During his younger years, sports were a big part of his life; this is where his great leadership skills stem from. He has played hockey since the age of three and golf since the age of five. Hockey has taught him how to be a leader by not only saying what you should do, but leading by example. Golf has taught him to be persistent in the things you are doing. These skills carried over to Canton High School, where he played four years of hockey and three years of golf for the school. These leadership qualities did not go unnoticed by his coaches or the league– his senior year, he was the captain of both the hockey and golf teams. In addition, Clark was selected as Second Team All Area in hockey as well as golf.
In Arnold Air Society, Clark has created closer ties with the AFA and his community by organizing cadets to help with STARBASE at Battle Creek ANG. His hobbies include playing hockey, playing golf, flying, and spending time with close friends.
National Director of Public Affairs
Chad Martel was born in Dearborn, MI. He has been a permanent resident of Michigan for the entirety of his life, spending his days from birth up until the age of four in the small city of Flat Rock, MI, and then moving with his family to Monroe. Chad completed his grade school education in Monroe, spending his final years at Monroe High School, where he became prominently known for his permanence in the schools choral music and drama programs. Throughout his high school career, Chad held various leadership positions, including freshman and sophomore class senator, National Honor Society Vice President, and MHS Drama Club president and treasurer.
In his spare time, Chad held a lead role in more than eighteen theatrical productions (school and city performances), performed in 5 different vocal ensembles, including 2 MSVMA state honors choirs, and numerous Solo and Ensemble events. On top of School activities, Chad has also been a member of the scouting organization since kindergarten, starting as a cub scout, then moving on to boy scouts in the fifth grade. In his 8 year stint as a boy scout of Troop 561, he has attained the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, was troop Senior Patrol Leader for 2 years, Patrol Leader for 3 years, troop scribe (treasurer) for one year, and troop guide for one year. Chad graduated magna cum laude in his class, and chose to go to Western Michigan University for a brief stint in the school’s Vocal Music Program before changing his major to Electrical Engineering and joining Air Force ROTC as a sophomore.
Ever since joining the detachment, Chad has kept himself extremely busy with ROTC-related activities. He pledged for AAS during his first semester as a cadet and took on the job as Area VI Director of Public Affairs as soon as he activated. On top of his AAS duties, Chad is his detachment’s FTPA, and keeps himself busy by preparing for field training and keeping up with school work. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, grilling, hiking, and camping, but nothing makes him happier than kicking back and relaxing with his friends.
National HQ Advisor
Lieutenant Colonel Michael J. Connelly is commander of Detachment 380, AFROTC, and Chair of the Aerospace Department at Michigan State University. He directs a 4-year academic, military training, and character development program leading graduates to a commission in the United States Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he was a member of Detachment 590 and Arnold Air Society Jesse J. Moorhead Squadron. He also has a Master’s of Business Administration from City University.
His previous assignment included supporting capabilities based analysis at the Pentagon with assessments within the Air Staff, Air Force Corporate Structure and development of the biennial Capabilities Review and Risk Assessment summarizing the Air Force Capability shortfalls and associated risk. He was the Deputy Chief, Space and Command and Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Capabilities Division. He personally led the Command and Control section working with MAJCOMs and agencies across the Air Force for CONOPS development, assessments, and recommendations. Later, he became the Integration Division Deputy, coordinating six other Capabilities Divisions.
Lt Col Connelly has held multiple leadership positions as flight commander, assistant director of operations, and deputy division chief. He has also held key positions on the Air Staff influencing programming, planning and budgeting for the U.S. Air Force. He also assisted the creation of the Afghanistan Air Corps establishing their basing strategic plan, aircraft acquisition, and flying training program while deployed to the Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan.
Lt Col Connelly is a master navigator with more than 3,800 hours in the KC-135R/T, T-43, and E-8C aircraft. As a navigator, Lt Col Connelly flew in the KC-135 during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and Operation DENY FLIGHT. He also flew in the E-8C during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Lt Col Connelly has flown combat and combat support missions in many contingencies.