Military Affairs Council
Bringing the Military & Community Together
The military has had a significant presence in the Colorado Springs area for more than 70 years. What started with the U.S. Army’s Camp Carson, has grown into a burgeoning community of five military installations, hosting key national commands such as the Air Force Space Command, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Missile Defense Integration and Operations Center and the United States Air Force Academy.
We recognize that military affairs are an essential part of development both to the Colorado Springs region and the state as a whole. As a result, since 1941 the Military Affairs Council (MAC) has striven to support and grow our military installations, strengthen their relationship with the surrounding community and associated industry, and ensure that Colorado Springs feels like home to the men and women serving in our region.
Get to Know the MAC
The Military Affairs Council is the voice of the business community in support of the military member, family, mission and veteran in the Colorado Springs region. We are the connecting point for the military with community leaders, elected officials and organizations. Our work in the community stems from our core values; service, support and advocacy.
Vision
To be the preferred advisors to our military, political, civic and business leaders on issues that intersect the military and/or defense industry.
Mission
Building on a rich tradition of strong support to our military and community, we strive to be the first organization any military command in the Pikes Peak region looks to for service, support and advocacy. Secondly, we serve as the voice of the military and defense and related industries in the Pikes Peak region.
Some of the ways we lend assistance to the region’s military affairs are:
- We help nurture, grow and strengthen relationships between local installations and the community.
- We assure strong positive perceptions of our community by Department of Defense leaders and local commanders.
- We provide our community leaders and our members with current information regarding the issues facing our local military commanders and their installations.
We offer our members the opportunity to become personally acquainted with military leaders across the Colorado Springs region.
Who We Are
Meet the MAC Board Members:
Jim Ross, Chair, Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Kent Fortune, Vice Chair
USAA Mountain States Regional Office
Kristen Christy, Past Chair
Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.
Keith Klaehn, Defense Military Task Force Chair, CSM, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Town & Country Realty, Inc.
Ron Fitch, Defense Mission Task Force Vice-Chair, Col., U.S. Army (Ret.)
UC Health Memorial System
Rich Burchfield, Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Catalyst Campus
Kate Hatten
Peak Military Care Network
Michael Jorgensen, Representative, The Colorado Thirty Group
Red Noland Auto Group
Lisanne McNew
McNew & Associates
Terrance McWilliams, CSM, U.S. Army (Ret.)
El Pomar Foundation
Chuck Moneypenny, SGM, U.S. Army (Ret)
Kevin Mortensen, Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
BAE Systems, Inc.
Tony Przybyslawski, Maj. Gen. U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
The Boeing Company
Randy Rocha
Harrison School District
Greg Welch
Independent Bank
Paul Woody
Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association
Joe Wysocki, Col., U.S. Air Force
Systems Planning and Analysis Corporation
HONORARY
Reggie Ash, Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Dirk Draper
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Beth Leake
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Jay Lindell, Maj. Gen. U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Andy Pico, CDR, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Colorado Springs City Council Member
Tom Strand, Col., U.S. Air Force (Ret.)
Colorado Springs City Council Member
John Trylch
City of Fountain
Stan VanderWerf
El Paso County Commissioner
Get Involved
As a part of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, the MAC is also a business-based organization. As such, membership in the MAC is open to any individual who is a member of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and believes in a strong, effective national defense and wishes to actively show support for our uniformed services. MAC members spend their energies on developing and maintaining an environment that economically and culturally supports a viable military presence in our community, and provides a superior quality of life for members of the military and their families.
Membership in the MAC is also available to individuals who are not representing a business entity. For those situations, an individual may apply for membership in the MAC (or maintain their membership) if they no longer represent business interests and want to continue to support MAC activities.
MAC Committees
Defense Mission Task Force (DMTF)
The DMTF, established in 1989, assists the Chamber & EDC’s chief defense development officer in developing relationships, local government cooperation and programs to improve the ability of Colorado Springs military installations to discharge their national security and defense missions. It brings local business, local government and senior military leaders together to help improve the effectiveness and vitality of our region’s military facilities.
Area Chiefs of Staff (ACOS)
ACOS is a MAC-led organization that includes individuals from local installations, the City of Colorado Springs, the City of Fountain, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, El Paso County and the State of Colorado, with key interests in the military and its impact on the community. Monthly meetings offer area commanders an avenue for identifying issues that would be of great benefit to their installations and services, as well as initiatives that could best be achieved with community and Chamber & EDC support.
Military Spouse Career Coalition (MSCC)
The MSCC empowers local military spouses in pursuit of meaningful careers and livable wages and supports legislation and initiatives that minimize barriers. Coalition members include the Chamber & EDC, the Colorado Springs Mayor’s Office, elected officials, military installation family services, workforce agencies, higher education institutions, and multiple military spouse support organizations. Learn more.
Senior Enlisted Breakfast
These meetings are designed to bring senior enlisted military personnel from each installation together to discuss installation activities as they pertain to their mission.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee creates value for member MAC affiliates, including opportunities for interaction between community members for education in military missions and opportunities. The committee hosts military leadership “Hail and Farewell” receptions, Military Speakers Luncheons, the Armed Forces Luncheon and other events.
Sponsorship Committee
This Sponsorship Committee ensures MAC-hosted or sponsored events have appropriate resources to carry out the event and initiates efforts to secure event sponsors.
Liaison Committee
The Liaison Committee fosters relationships with local military installations and commands, surrounding communities and professional organizations. Liaisons are selected based on their familiarity with the assigned organization, as well as their availability to support the entity.
Community Relations Committee
The Community Relations Committee assists the Chamber & EDC and MAC members in understanding the needs of our military community. It provides support to and facilitates MAC participation in military, civic and charitable community events and actions that benefit the military community and our members.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee assists with building a budget to support programs and other financial needs of the MAC, works closely with the Sponsorship Committee to ensure MAC-sponsored events are funded appropriately and assists in the collection of membership fees.
Programs Committee
The Programs Committee initiates the planning of MAC events, working closely with the Chamber & EDC for synergies in obtaining mutual event goals.
