Role Will Be To Identify And Implement Short And Long-Range Goals For The Air Cadet Exchange

Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter, Civil Air Patrol's national commander, was unanimously elected vice president of the International Air Cadet Exchange Association Board of Directors during the organization's planning conference held recently in Seattle. She is the first female to hold the position in IACEA's 60-year history.
 

During her two-year term of office, Courter will play a leadership role in creating and implementing short-term and long-range goals designed to move the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) program forward. This includes expanding the involvement of other countries in the program and the organization's financial partnerships nationwide. "I am honored to have been elected for this prestigious position," said Courter. "IACE is an important component of Civil Air Patrol's leadership training program for cadets. It is imperative for the leaders of tomorrow to learn experientially about other cultures and diversity. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of the international air exchange program worldwide."
 
The IACEA was established in 1948 to produce responsible aerospace leaders of tomorrow through air cadet exchanges and cultural education. The program offers leadership development with a global perspective by promoting international understanding, goodwill and friendship among young people with an interest in aviation. Nineteen nations are currently IACE members.
 
CAP cadets who have earned the Amelia Earhart Award and are at least 17 years old are eligible to apply to join the annual exchange of air cadets between participating organizations. This year 62 CAP cadets representing 31 wings visited 14 countries, and 78 cadets from 16 countries visited 11 CAP wings. "They could not have elected a better person for the job than Amy Courter," said Lt. Col. Beverly Scoggins, CAP's national IACE director. "Having her in that position is good for everyone, not just the U.S., because she will take the position seriously and will do her utmost to promote the program."

Courter was elected CAP national commander in 2008. Her primary duty is to lead the organization's 61,000-plus volunteers in fulfillment of the three Congressionally-chartered missions: emergency services, cadet programs and aerospace education, as well as CAP's increasing role in America's homeland security. She has emphasized best practices throughout her tenure, including fiduciary duties, strategic planning and generating internal and external opportunities and partnerships. For fiscal year 2008, CAP received its first unqualified audit after integrating over 1,500 units' financial transactions into a common system. Under her leadership the scholarship funding has increased over 50 percent.

FMI: www.gocivilairpatrol.com, www.iacea.com/