ELIZABETH LEE GLEISBERG MAY (78) -- Elizabeth has a very active, and ongoing, record of extraordinary public service.  Elizabeth's road down this path began with her days as a helper at the James Ryder Randall Summer Camp for Disabled Children, ran through her service as a Major in the Air Force, and continues into the present.

After graduating from Surrattsville, Elizabeth earned a B.S. degree in psychology from the University of Maryland and a Master of Aeronautical Science Degree (with dual specializations in Operations and Management) from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.  Elizabeth's Air Force career included these highlights: Operations Management Officer of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB, SC (where she earned Outstanding Administrator of the Year for the base and for Tactical Air Command); Operations Management Officer and 18th Tactical Fighter Wing Emergency Actions Officer and Chief, Wing Contingency Plans Branch, 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan (where she was selected the Kadena Air Base Military Volunteer of the Year, was recognized in Airman Magazine as an "Unsung Hero," flew local area search and rescue training flights for the Strategic Air Command, and served as president of the Intraservice Skydiving Club).  While at Kadena Air Base, Elizabeth devoted most of her free time to building a summer camp for special needs children.  Camp Independence provided disabled children of the military families assigned to the Okinawa a summer camp where they could swim and do crafts just like their non-disabled friends.

After her service at Kadena, Elizabeth was assigned as Base Disaster Preparedness Officer (DPO) 4th Air Base Operability Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, NC (where she also served as the Operations Officer and base coordinator for the National Emergency Airborne Command Post and as Environmental Programs Manager, Chief, Natural and Cultural Resources, Environmental Impact Analysis Program Manager, and Eastern Regional Company Grade Officer Council Executive Committee).  As the Regional Philanthropist at Johnson AFB, she developed an Air Force-wide program for youth development that resulted in 3,000 hours of volunteer time in support of youth.  Elizabeth also served as Assistant Professor, and later Associate Professor, of Aerospace Studies at the University of Florida.  While in that position, she served as the AS 100 Instructor, Executive Officer, Education Officer and AFROTC Civil Air Patrol Squadron Commander.

Elizabeth then served as Chief of Field Training, Headquarters AFROTC at Maxwell AFB.  She was selected to serve in a newly created position of Operations Officer to the ROTC Commander building new programs and was then assigned as Director of Training where she served the remainder of her ROTC tour.  As ROTC Director of Training, she managed over $10M and programs for over 12,000 cadets at 143 universities, while completing Air Command and Staff College through independent study. 

In March 1999, Elizabeth assumed command of 325FW, Det 1, in Pensacola where she was the regional leader in promoting aerospace power.  Her unit served 1,100 active duty members assigned to 13 units across three bases.  While assigned, she developed many new programs, one of which recaptured over 25,000 man-hours for the USAF in less than a year.  The new program resolved the long standing problem of lengthy delays between graduation of navigators and their assignment to operational units.  While in Pensacola, Elizabeth was elected President of Air Force Association Chapter 330 and earned the Medal of Merit for her contributions.

In September 2000, Elizabeth was assigned as Chief, Resources, Plans and Future Systems, HQ USAF at the Pentagon.  Her primary accomplishments there include implementation of an AF-wide performance measurement system with which she briefed the Secretary of the USAF and his senior staff and a program to redesign the five year budget process. While assigned to the Pentagon, she implemented the first Pentagon-assigned Company Grade Officer Corps as well as became active in assisting the homeless in DC.

In August 2001 Elizabeth retired from active duty service and relocated to the Space Coast of Florida.  She then entered industry when she accepted a position with the Research Triangle Institute's Center for Aerospace Technology in Cocoa Beach, Florida.  As a Research Aerospace Analyst she was responsible for formulating Federal Aviation Administration Regulations for the emerging commercial space Reusable Launch Vehicle industry (the second generation shuttles of which about 15 different models are under design).  In 2005 Elizabeth also started her own investment corporation.

Her military awards and decorations include two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, one National Defense Service Medal, three Air Force Outstanding Unit Award ribbons, two Longevity ribbons, one Overseas Long Tour ribbon, and one Training ribbon.  Elizabeth also is a private pilot with 350 flying hours and a master rated skydiver with over 2000 jumps.  Her ten person skydiving team placed 3rd in the nation in 2003. She was a participant in the 1995 and 2005 Women's World Record Formation Skydive, the latter involving a 151-woman formation that raised over a half million dollars for breast cancer research! She is also trained in firefighting tactics, a certified scuba diver, and an experienced motorcycle rider.