HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Seven local leaders from across the region were inducted into the Honorary Commander and Director Program during a ceremony held here April 29.
The program pairs base commanders and directors with community counterparts to foster relationships, collaboration, and build rapport between key local leaders and Hanscom AFB senior leaders.
“We’re excited to welcome the incoming commanders and directors to the family and to the team,” said Col. Jorge Jimenez, installation commander. “The main mission of Team Hanscom is to acquire, develop and deliver the critical capabilities to the warfighter. We are a smaller base physically, but we are mighty in our impact to the Air Force mission.”
Inductees will serve two- to three-year terms before transitioning to alumni status.
“Through this program, you will see another side of the Air Force,” said Jimenez. “You will meet the scientists, the engineers, the technicians, and the logisticians that make our planes fly and communicate, and the base personnel that support them.”
Dr. Nidhi Sharma, a primary care and obesity specialist at Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care and the incoming 66th Medical Squadron honorary commander, said she is looking forward to finding new ways to support the medical readiness of service members.
“I am particularly interested in developing a deeper understanding of the Air Force medical system and readiness at the installation level,” said Sharma. “Their broad scope of responsibilities, including deployment health assessments, occupational health, and initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles and behavioral change strongly aligns with my interests as a primary care physician.”
Sharma is paired with Lt. Col. Thomas Renfrow, 66 MDS commander.
Four outgoing honorary commanders and directors were also recognized for their participation in the program as they transitioned to alumni status.
“To the outgoing commanders, thank you for your involvement and service,” said Brig. Gen. Joshua Williams, program executive officer for the Cyber and Networks Directorate. “Your commitment made this partnership a better project for everyone involved. Your time was well spent, and we appreciate everything you’ve done.”
The outgoing honorary commanders and directors recognized are:
- Carolyn Kirk, executive director for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, who served as the honorary director of the Electronic Systems Directorate.
- Sophia Kambanis, executive director of the Massachusetts Innovation Network, served as the honorary director of the Nuclear, Command, Control and Communications Integration Directorate.
- David Pinsonneault, the Lexington Mass., Department of Public Works director, who served as the honorary director of the 66th Civil Engineering Division.
- Peter Rice, president and chief executive officer of the Hanscom Federal Credit Union, who served as the honorary commander of the 66th Comptroller Squadron.
The incoming honorary commanders and directors are:
- Juan Vega is the assistant secretary for Communities and Programs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development. He is paired with Col. Jorge Jimenez, 66th Air Base Group commander.
- Dr. Deniz Erdoğmuş, senior director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships at the Northeastern University Innovation Campus at Burlington, Mass. He is paired with Lea Kirkwood, program executive officer of the Electronic Systems Directorate.
- Michael McLean, Lexington, Mass., police chief. He is paired with Maj. Benjamin Doerfler, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander.
- Margaret Walenty, senior manager, Supply Chain Systems and Processes at the Repligen Corporation and director of Education and Research at the Minuteman Chapter of the Association of Supply Chain Management. She is paired with Stephen Morin, 66th Logistics Readiness Squadron director.
- Melissa Termine Battite, director of Recreation and Community Programs for the town of Lexington, Mass. She is paired with Maj. Travis Hough, 66th Force Support Squadron commander.
- Peter Shea, assistant dean for Artificial Intelligence Integration at Middlesex Community College. He is paired with Eric Lefebvre, 66th Communications and Information Division director.
- David Manugian, superintendent of Public Works for the town of Bedford, Mass. He is paired with David Wong, 66th Civil Engineering Division.
- Dana Neshe, president and chief executive officer of Middlesex Savings Bank. She is paired with Lt. Col. Nicholas Stockdale, 66th Comptroller Squadron commander.
- Dr. Nidhi Sharma is a primary care and obesity specialist at Beth Israel Lahey Health Primary Care. She is paired with Lt. Col. Thomas Renfrow, 66th Medical Squadron commander.