COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE’S GENERAL STAFF 2026 UPDATES
Dallas, TX (November 19, 2025) – The 2025 General Membership Meeting was held on Friday, October 3 in the Fred and Barbara Clark Telling Restoration Hangar, CAF Headquarters, Dallas Executive Airport, Dallas, Texas. At the meeting, Chief of Staff Eric Zipkin shared that following the passing of a respected board member and other transitions in late September, CAF Colonels Robert Johnson and Travis Major were appointed to fill those vacancies for the remainder of 2025, and that six positions became available in this year’s election. At the meeting, Robert Johnson and Travis Major were nominated from the floor.The results of the Commemorative Air Force’s General Staff (Board of Directors) election confirmed the election of current General Staff members Neil Raaz and Kevin Sutterfield. Their term begins in January 2026
The 11-person General Staff is the governing body of the CAF. The members meet throughout the year to monitor the health and sustainability of the organization. General Staff members are elected by CAF Colonels through an election process that is overseen by Weaver & Tidwell, LLP. Meetings of the General Staff are open to all CAF Colonel members. Agenda items are available on request. To request an item be added to the agenda, contact the Chief of Staff, CAF President, or Diana Bueno at dbueno@cafhq.org. To contact members of the General Staff, see upcoming meeting times, and read past meeting minutes visit https://commemorativeairforce.org/pages/GeneralStaff-Minutes
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON RECENT MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE 2026 GENERAL STAFF
ROBERT JOHNSON
Robert Johnson’s passion for aviation began early, and he earned his pilot’s wings at age 19. Over the years, he has accumulated more than 6,000 flight hours in over 50 different aircraft types. An active pilot and instructor, Robert flies Citations, King Airs, and Conquests and is currently working toward a helicopter rating. His warbird experience focuses on the North American T28, where he performs as “Trojan 2” with the Trojan Phlyers airshow team and holds a surface-level formation aerobatic card in the Trojan.
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 to his roles, 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 non-profit that leverages general aviation assets to respond to natural disasters.
A committed aviator and leader, Robert is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Commemorative Air Force. He resides in Dallas, TX, and stated, “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.”
TRAVIS MAJOR
Colonel Travis Major has been a member of the Commemorative Air Force since 2013. He served as the Airbase Arizona Operations Officer and, most recently, as Airbase Leader.
Travis started flying gliders at age thirteen, which began a lifetime pursuit of flying and led to a diverse aviation career. His career has included a broad spectrum of general, corporate, and commercial aviation. He has over forty years of experience in the airline industry as a line pilot and check airman, retiring as Chief Pilot of American Airlines, Phoenix crew base in 2020. He served the Airline Pilots Association as the Mid-Atlantic Safety Chairman, Vice-Chairman of Safety for US Airways and other safety positions. His expertise in aviation safety and operations includes: Flight Ops Quality Assurance, Accident Investigation and Critical Incident Response. After retiring from American Airlines, Travis returned to aerial firefighting flying the DC-10 and as Chief Pilot for 10 Tanker. Currently, he works as an FAA Specialty Aviation and Designated Pilot Examiner.
Within the CAF, Travis holds pilot ratings for the B-17, B-25, C-47, C-45, PT-17, and L-16 aircraft and is an instructor/check pilot on the multiengine aircraft and L-16. As Operations Officer, Travis strengthened the relationships with other units by promoting cross-utilization of pilot resources. In the six years as Airbase Leader, Travis has been dedicated to the mission of the CAF, building relevance within the local community, enhancing financial stability and longevity. He considers it an honor to be appointed to the General Staff and looks forward to continuing his contributions to the future of the CAF.
NEIL RAAZ
Colonel Neil Raaz is a seasoned aviation leader, a decorated military aviator, and a dedicated life member of the Commemorative Air Force, having joined in 2020. Neil is an active member of the B-29/B-24 and WASP Squadrons. Now in his fourth season as a tour pilot, he’s currently a command pilot on the PT-13/17 and AT-6 and holds pilot letters for the B-29 and B-24.
Neil brings nearly 17,000 hours of accident-free flight experience spanning military, general aviation, and commercial operations. He is a Captain and Check Pilot at American Airlines on the Boeing 787, where he also serves as an FAA-approved instructor and examiner. His prior roles at American Airlines include Director of Flight Operations, Director of Operational Safety, and Director of Flight Safety, overseeing initiatives that supported global operations and interfaced directly with the FAA and NTSB. Neil served as a U.S. Navy Reserve Instructor Pilot and Operations Officer, as well as a U.S. Army helicopter and reconnaissance pilot.
His leadership extends to the nonprofit world, where he served as Chairman and CEO of Snowball Express, supporting children of fallen military members, and currently serves on several veteran and aviation-related boards. A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics and a minor in Aviation Safety Program Management, Neil offers a powerful blend of operational experience, safety leadership, and a deep commitment to honoring the legacy of military aviation. Neil and Shannon, his wife of 35 years, reside in Colleyville, Texas.
KEVIN SUTTERFIELD
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.
