2026 General Staff Election
The Commemorative Air Force General Staff election will be held in conjunction with the annual General Membership Meeting on Friday, November 6, 2026, during Aviation Discovery Fest in Dallas, Texas.
This page serves as the official information hub for the 2026 election and includes important dates, voting information, candidate biographies, and election procedures.
Annual General Membership Meeting
Date: Friday, November 6, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. Central
Location: Fred and Barbara Clark Telling Restoration Hangar Commemorative Air Force Headquarters Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas, Texas
The purpose of the annual General Membership Meeting is to elect three members to the General Staff.
On June 26, 2026 the CAF Nominating Committee put forth three names to fill General Staff positions that are expiring. The nominees presented by the Nominating Committee are Eric Hollingsworth, Robert Johnson, and Kevin Sutterfield.
NOMINATIONS FROM THE FLOOR
In accordance with the CAF Bylaws, additional nominations may be made in person from the floor during the General Membership Meeting before nominations are closed.
The person making the nomination must be a CAF Colonel in good standing and must be physically present at the General Membership Meeting. Nominations submitted by phone, email, text, or through the live broadcast cannot be accepted.
Any member nominated from the floor must:
- Meet all eligibility requirements to serve on the General Staff.
- Agree to serve if elected.
- Be present at the General Membership Meeting or have provided written acceptance of the nomination.
ELECTRONIC VOTING
Voting in the 2026 General Staff election will be conducted electronically. Voting is expected to begin at approximately 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Friday, November 6, immediately following the close of nominations and finalization of the ballot. Voting will remain open until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, November 16, 2026.
Each eligible member may vote one time only, and all ballots remain anonymous.
In mid-to-late September, every CAF Colonel eligible to vote in the election will receive a notification of the election along with their member-specific access key and password for the electronic voting system. Please retain this letter for reference on November 6. Login instructions and credentials will also be sent via email in October and the day of the election. Members that are unsubscribed to CAF email will receive a second notification in the mail.
Please note: The ballot will not be available until nominations have closed during the General Membership Meeting and the ballot has been finalized.
If you have issues logging in to the election system or have not received your login and voting access credentials, please send an email to memberinfo@cafhq.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response. All requests for voting assistance must be received by Friday, November 13.
IMPORTANT DATES
Mid-September: Printed election information with instructions to access the electronic voting system, including member-specific access key and password for the system, will be mailed to all members.
November 6 at 4:00 p.m. Central: The General Membership Meeting begins. Click Here to register for the live broadcast
November 6 at approx. 4:30 p.m. Central: Electronic voting opens following the close of nominations and finalization of the ballot.
November 13: Last day for voting assistance.
November 16: Last day for electronic voting.
November 23: Approximate date election results announced.
MEET THE NOMINEES
ERIC HOLLINGSWORTH
ehollingsworth@cspire.com
Eric Hollingsworth has been an active member of the Commemorative Air Force since 2001 and has dedicated more than two decades to preserving military aviation history. He has served in numerous leadership roles within the Mississippi Wing, including Wing Leader, Executive Officer, and, most recently, Finance Officer. A CAF Life Member, Eric is also the sponsor of two CAF aircraft and serves as a check pilot in both the Fairchild PT-19 and the Stinson L-5 Sentinel.
Eric holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) credentials and is an active formation and aerobatics instructor. He holds a Statement of Aerobatic Competency (SAC) for airshow performances in the AT-6 Texan, Clipped Wing Taylorcraft, and P-40 Warhawk, and has owned and operated a variety of vintage and experimental aircraft throughout the past 24 years.
Professionally, Eric has spent more than 21 years with C Spire, a Mississippi-based technology and telecommunications company, where he currently serves as Vice President of Government Relations.
Eric considers it an honor to serve the Commemorative Air Force and fully supports its mission to Honor, Inspire, and Educate. He looks forward to contributing his leadership, operational experience, and dedication to the future of the organization as a member of the General Staff.
ROBERT JOHNSON
robertcjohnson@yahoo.com
Robert Johnson’s passion for aviation began early, and he earned his pilot’s wings at age 19. Over the years, he has accumulated almost 6,500 flight hours in over 50 different aircraft types. An active pilot and instructor, Robert flies Citations, King Airs, and Conquests professionally, as well as various other aircraft, including a Citabria to maintain his tailwheel proficiency and a Bell 206 to keep him humble. His warbird experience focuses on the North American T-28, where he performs as "Trojan 2" with the Trojan Phlyers airshow team and holds a surface-level formation aerobatic card in the aircraft.
Professionally, Robert has built a distinguished career as an entrepreneurial CEO, founding, growing, and selling multiple successful software and oil and gas companies over the past 25 years. He brings extensive board experience, including a 13-year tenure on Colgate University's Alumni Board and Board of Trustees, where he helped oversee the University and its $1.3 billion endowment. He also serves on the board of NATA and as Vice Chairman of Operation Air Drop, a nonprofit that leverages general aviation assets to respond to natural disasters.
A committed aviator and leader, Robert has served on the General Staff since December 2025, where he has applied his business and nonprofit experience to help advance the mission of the Commemorative Air Force. He resides in Dallas, Texas, and states, "It is an honor to serve on the General Staff and contribute to the CAF's mission of preserving and sharing the legacy of American military aviation."
KEVIN SUTTERFIELD
showtimef22@gmail.com
Colonel Kevin Sutterfield is a senior executive in the defense and aviation industries with a distinguished background as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. A passionate aviator and educator, he is an active flight instructor and experimental aircraft pilot, holding type ratings in both the Cessna Citation Mustang (CE-510) and HondaJet (HA-420), as well as pilot sponsor qualifications in the BT-13, AT-6, and P-51.
Kevin is a Life Member of the Commemorative Air Force, which he first joined in 2006. He is actively engaged across multiple Units, including the Alaska Col. Hunt Wing, Capital Wing, Central Texas Wing, and TRARON. Currently, he serves as Operations Officer for the CAF’s signature education outreach program, the Red Tail Squadron. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the Formation and Safety Team (FAST), demonstrating his strong commitment to the safety and excellence of formation flying within the warbird community.
Based in Austin, Texas, Kevin brings deep operational experience, leadership skills, and a lifelong dedication to aviation to all his roles. He and his wife, Stef, are enthusiastic travelers with a shared love for adventure and live music. Kevin’s broad CAF involvement, combined with his professional aviation background, provides him with a unique and valuable perspective to help advance the CAF's mission and ensure its long-term vitality. His passion for flying, education, and preserving the legacy of American military aviation drives his ongoing service and desire to contribute at the national level through a position on the CAF General Staff.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Who is eligible to vote?
To vote in the 2026 General Staff election, you must:
- Be a CAF Colonel/Preservation Colonel/Life/Gold/Platinum Life member in good standing.
- Have all membership dues paid and current.
- Have been a CAF Colonel in good standing for at least 30 days prior to the election.
- If enrolled in the monthly dues program:
- New or reinstated Colonels (after a lapse of more than two months) must have completed twelve consecutive monthly payments at least 30 days prior to the election.
- Existing Colonels who switched to the monthly dues program remain eligible to vote, provided they have maintained their membership in good standing for twelve consecutive months and all monthly payments are current.
- New or reinstated Colonels (after a lapse of more than two months) must have completed twelve consecutive monthly payments at least 30 days prior to the election.
2. Why did the CAF move to electronic voting?
At the 2025 General Membership Meeting, CAF Colonels approved amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws authorizing electronic voting. The change was adopted to make voting more accessible and convenient for members while preserving the integrity of the election process.
Electronic voting allows eligible CAF Colonels to cast their ballot securely from anywhere during the voting period, rather than requiring attendance at the meeting or requesting a paper absentee ballot. Members will continue to have the opportunity to make nominations from the floor during the annual General Membership Meeting before voting begins.
3. Do I have to attend the meeting to vote?
No, you do not have to attend the Annual General Membership Meeting to vote.
Electronic voting will open on Friday, November 6, 2026 at approximately 4:30 p.m. Central after nominations have closed and the ballot is finalized. You will have ten days to cast your vote electronically.
Even if you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to participate in the annual General Membership Meeting via live broadcast. Click Here to register for the live broadcast
4. What if I don't receive my voting email?
All CAF Colonels that are eligible to vote will receive written notification with your member-specific login credentials (access key and password) for the electronic voting system.
If you are subscribed to CAF email, you will receive two election-related emails:
- One in October with information about the upcoming election.
- One on Friday, November 6, containing your voting credentials and instructions for accessing the electronic ballot once nominations have closed and the ballot has been finalized.
If you currently receive On The Fly emails (typically twice each month) with the headline "Member News", you are subscribed to CAF email.
If you are not currently subscribed and would like to begin receiving CAF emails again, click here. Due to email privacy regulations, CAF staff cannot resubscribe members on their behalf.
If you're unsure of your email subscription status, contact us at (214) 330-1700, ext. 3 during weekday business hours or email memberinfo@cafhq.org and we'll be happy to help.
5. Can I vote on my phone?
Yes. If you have a smartphone with an up-to-date web browser, you should be able to access the voting website and cast your ballot just as you would on a computer or tablet. The voting website is designed to work on most modern smartphones, tablets, and computers.
6. What if I don't have a smartphone or access to a computer during the General Membership Meeting on November 6?
That's okay. You do not have to vote during the General Membership Meeting.
Electronic voting will remain open for ten days, through 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Monday, November 16, 2026, allowing you to vote whenever it is most convenient for you using any computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access.
7. Can I vote by phone, email, or mail?
No. Votes are accepted only through the official electronic voting system.
Telephone calls, voicemail messages, emails, text messages, mailed ballots, or verbal votes made during the General Membership Meeting or live broadcast cannot be accepted or counted.
If you need assistance accessing the electronic ballot, please contact CAF Headquarters before voting closes at (214) 330-1700, ext. 3 during weekday business hours or email memberinfo@cafhq.org. Please allow 1-2 business days for a response. All requests for voting assistance must be received by Friday, November 13.
8. When will the results be announced?
The results of the vote will be announced approximately a week after the election closes, on or around Monday, November 23.
9. How are floor nominations handled?
Additional nominations may be made from the floor during the annual General Membership Meeting before nominations are closed.
To make a floor nomination:
- The person making the nomination must be a CAF Colonel in good standing and must be physically present at the General Membership Meeting. Nominations submitted by phone, email, or through the live broadcast cannot be accepted.
- The nominee must meet all eligibility requirements to serve on the General Staff.
- The nominee must agree to serve if elected.
- The nominee must be present at the meeting or have provided written acceptance of the nomination before nominations are closed.
Need Help?
If you have questions about your voting eligibility, email subscription status, or experience technical difficulties accessing the voting system after Friday afternoon, November 6, please contact us at:
- Phone: (214) 330-1700, ext. 3 (weekdays during business hours)
- Email: memberinfo@cafhq.org.
