Jim McIntyre's Story
US Air Force Career
Brig General James W. (Jim) McIntyre retired from the USAF in February 1993 with over 28 years of service.
Jim earned his bachelor's degree in engineering sciences from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1964, and a masters degree in Operations Research from Rensselaer Polytechnic in 1978. Professional development courses included Air Command and Staff College in 1976, the National Security Management Program in 1977, National War College in 1983, and the Management Program for Executives at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business in 1985.
In over 28 years in the USAF, Jim served in a variety of command and staff positions. A pilot with 3500 flying hours, and a Silver Star recipient for night rescue operations in VN, Jim served as a Flying Squadron Commander, Base Commander, and Wing Commander. Staff positions included Chief, Personnel Analysis Division, Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph AFB, TX; Chief of Training Programs, DCS/Personnel, HQ USAF; Director of Bases and Units, DCS/Programs and Resources, HQ USAF; Director of the NORAD Planning Staff, Colorado Springs, CO., and the Executive Director of a Presidential chartered commission which completed and submitted to Congress a comprehensive evaluation of the adequacy of the Military Compensation system.
Jim's Notes
The Presidentially chartered pay commission led to a career transition opportunity too good to refuse. I retired from the Air Force in Feb 1993 to join the Executive Management team of USAA in San Antonio, TX, and overhaul its pay system, and was later appointed it's VP of Business Support Services in an exciting period of business growth within USAA. In Aug 1998, Karen and I felt we needed to move back east to assist my parents, and with good fortune I became President, FIT Aviation, Inc. -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of Florida Tech-- and an associate professor in Florida Tech's School of Aeronautics, Melbourne Florida. This "last" of 29 moves in my working life was a blessing. I was able to be there for the folks, while working with very bright young college students at Florida Tech whose high energy is "catching".
At the end of Florida Tech's 2004 spring semester Karen and I finally "retire-retired", to become snow-birds between Florida and upstate New York, and to enjoy travel and more time with our family; The number "40" seemed magical -- 40 years in working careers, 40 years since a fiancee Karen attended my June graduation at USAFA. Next we enjoyed the 40th Class Reunion at CSprings in the fall, followed in December with our 40th wedding anniversary which we celebrated on a cruise with all nine children and grandchildren.
At this writing, my life remains full and exciting -- more so every day! For this I am grateful and credit most two things. The opportunity to attend the Academy in the Class of 1964 was life-shaping, and the influence of the class and Academy experience remain a part of who I am today. The second was Karen Merritt McIntyre, my high-school sweat heart, and life-long soulmate. Karen taught us all that "Life is Rich"!
[ Gone But Not Forgotten ]
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