Airmen awarded scholarships by Logistics Officer Association Published June 25, 2009 By Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times staff HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The Logistics Officer Association held its scholarship awards luncheon June 22 at Club Hill to award $5,500 in scholarship monies and to announce the association's new executive board members. Headlining the awards luncheon was guest speaker Charlie Precourt, vice president of Space Launch Systems for ATK Launch Systems. Precourt reviewed current and past ATK launch system designs in relation to logistics and answered questions from the luncheon attendees regarding the future of space launch systems. After Precourt's speech, the following Airmen were awarded their respective award increments: Senior Airman Christopher Collins, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, awarded $750 Staff Sgt. Patrick Meade, 75th Force Support Squadron, awarded $1,000 Staff Sgt. Samuel Aldrich, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, awarded $1,000 (His award was accepted by Capt. Abraham Schnaufer in his behalf.) Tech. Sgt. Kevin Swann, 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, awarded $1,250 Senior Airman Andre Adorno, 388th Maintenance Operations, awarded $1,500 Following the awards section, Maj. Richard Boatman, Ogden Air Logistics Center Commanders Action Group and current president for the LOA, announced the successive LOA executive board members. Boatman announced that Capt. Claudio Covacci, 309th Maintenance Wing, will serve as the next president, Joan Farnum, 75th Air Base Wing, will serve as the association's civilian vice president and Capt. John Groff, 309th MXW, will serve as treasurer. Other board positions will remain occupied by incumbent members. Boatman concluded the luncheon with a special acknowledgement to Maj. Gen. Kathleen Close, OO-ALC commander, for supporting the LOA. In her closing remarks, Close noted the important role the LOA plays in improving the OO-ALC and the Air Force in general. "This chapter works hard throughout the year, and you saw its culmination today," Close said. "They provided their members with the opportunity to continue their education. This Logistics Officer Association chapter is helping the Air Force by encouraging its members and ensuring that they can continue with their education." The mission of LOA is to enhance the military logistics profession and is dedicated to the readiness and sustainability of aerospace, as stated in the association's official Web site, www.loanational.org. The national association is comprised of more than 3,200 military officers and civilians in logistics fields around the globe and provides an open forum to promote quality logistical support and logistics officer professional development.