Leadership

Retired Brigadier General R. Thomas Browning and retired Lt. General John F. Regni, two well known and respected career military veterans, serve as co-directors for this initiative. 

"SFAz has chosen two of Arizona's military experts to lead this important effort, geared toward expanding aerospace and defense and creating well-paying, stable jobs for our state's citizens,” said Governor Jan Brewer.  “Generals Browning and Regni will bring a new level of energy to the effort to make our state the hub of A&D activity."
 
“These distinguished Generals have the knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm to propel this state’s A&D industry to its fullest potential,” said William C. Harris, president and CEO of SFAz.  “Their combined decades of experience in the defense, business and education sectors will be critical to providing a vision and necessary leadership to our state’s efforts to fortify, create and grow more high quality jobs in this sector.”

Browning, a highly decorated veteran and champion for statewide economic development, graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in engineering science and received his master’s in public administration from Shippensburg State College in Pennsylvania.  Upon earning his Air Force wings in 1965, Gen. Browning served in Thailand and Vietnam, returning stateside in 1973 to Nellis Air Force Base as a pilot, instructor, flight commander and assistant operations officer.  Later, Gen. Browning served as chief of the operations division of the Directorate of Electronic Combat in Washington, D.C.  He served in leadership positions at installations in Texas, Japan and Arizona and retired from the Air Force in 1992.  A resident of Scottsdale, Gen. Browning is active in the state’s economic development and business community. 

“I am passionate about ensuring the high-tech aerospace and defense industry builds upon its foundation of military installation and companies located in Arizona,” said Gen. Browning.  “I look forward to engaging communities statewide and stakeholders in this effort.”

Regni, a Litchfield Park resident, was chosen for his leadership and experience in the education and A&D industry. He was the superintendent (president) of the United States Air Force Academy, commanded the Air University overseeing the Air Force Institute of Technology as well as the Community College of the Air Force (the world’s largest community college) and commanded Second Air Force—operating all the Air Force’s technical training schools in 250 job specialties.  Regni’s 40-year Air Force career began at the United States Air Force Academy, where in 1973 he earned his commission as well as a bachelor of science in biology.  He has a master’s of science degree in systems management from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Gen. Regni has served in a variety of personnel, training and command assignments at the Pentagon and at bases in Korea, Italy, Alabama, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi and Texas.  Over the years, Gen. Regni served on the board of directors for the Civil Air Patrol, the Mountain West Conference and represents Arizona on the Southwest Defense Alliance.

“Arizona has so much to offer with its array of military installations, expansive training ranges, university research and industry,” said Gen. Regni.  “While there is a great deal of competition nationally and abroad, our ambitious but achievable goal is to secure Arizona as the top choice for expanded A&D.”

This project was supported by the Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery and Science Foundation Arizona.