Cadets Lead 2026 Annual Wing Conference
More than 120 adult members and cadets from across the Massachusetts Wing gathered at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Mass., on April 25 for the Wing's annual conference. Both adults and cadets helped plan the full-day conference.
"The Wing Conference is a great opportunity to meet and network with your fellow Wing members," said Wing Commander Col. Carleton Jones. "It's also an important professional development activity, which wouldn't be possible without our conference and instructor volunteers from across the Wing."
Colonel Jones kicked off the Saturday conference. He shared the Civil Air Patrol's visioning goals outlined at a recent national meeting. Colonel Jones explained that the organization seeks to be "nationally known and recognized as the best place to lead and serve." To get there, CAP is focused on four principles: to be America's most trusted leadership program; to be an integrated and effective Air Force Auxiliary; to be the premier nationwide community partner in emergency services; and to be a center for enhanced and impactful aerospace-centric leadership development.
Morning speakers included Deanna King, BSU Aviation, Maj. Andrew Bonney, Mass. Air National Guard and chief operating officer of Cape Air/Nantucket Airlines, and Anne Marie Gallagher, CAP director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving and the CAP Foundation.
In the afternoon, the conference included several breakout sessions taught by Mass. Wing adult members and cadets, such as Crew Resource Management, Recruitment and Retention, Flight Planning Workshop, and Surviving an Alien Invasion.
“I had a lot of fun at the MAWG Wing Conference,” said Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Joshuah Tunik. “I was able to learn about a lot of cool aspects of CAP like cybersecurity and retention.”
Lastly, the Wing Conference was also an opportunity to recognize and award adult members and cadets for their service. Award winners included:
(Photos from the event are here)
Commander’s Commendation Award
Cadet Capt. Stefanie Kuketz
Cadet 2nd Lt. Jonathan Weinstein
Cadet Chief Master Sgt. Adam L. Tzafriri
Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Alessandro Aparicio
Air & Space Forces Association Cadet of the Year
Cadet Capt. Padmashree Malladi
Massachusetts Wing Cadet of the Year
Cadet Lt. Col. Isabella Niemann
Frank Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award – Senior Category
1st Lt. Jasmine Randhawa
Frank Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award - Cadet Category
Cadet 2nd Lt. Luke Jeevan Marjault
Ed Lewis Incident Staff Member of the Year
Maj. Steven Goldman
Jack Sorenson Cadet Programs Officer of the Year
Technical Flight Officer Madison Lucia Landis
Maj. Gen. Jeanne M. Holm Aerospace Education Officer of the Year
Lt. Col. Patrick Routier
Professional Development Officer of the Year
Lt. Eric Zago
Senior of the Year
Lt. Col. David Druga
Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving
Maj. Gregory Myers
Meritorious Service Award
Lt. Col. David Druga
Frank Brewer Memorial Aerospace Award Individual/Organization
Joint Base Cape Cod
Frank Brewer Lifetime Achievement Award
Col. Tim Nelson
50 Year Membership
Maj. Dick Shafner
55 Year Membership
Lt. Col. Charles Neudorfer
60 Year Membership
Maj. Gary Longley
Gill Robb Wilson Award
Lt. Col. Gregory Leonard
Lt. Col. Claire Belden
Maj. Vineet Awasthy
Paul E. Garber Award
Capt. Antonio Fontes
For More Information:
Capt. Angela Brees
angela.brees@mawg.cap.gov
