Board Of Directors
Board Of Directors
MARK IRVIN
Commander DTS, Committee: One Year Away Program
(DTS Officer)
Mark currently serves as the DTS Squadron Commander and President. He has been active in DTS since it was created by former Base Commander and friend Colonel Jim Meger. Mark also leads Winers & Diners an organization that focuses on DMAFB Families and has since it was created in 2007. He is also one of the founders of the AZBOWL which, among other things, has focused on helping our military. When he is not dabbling on the Base, flyfishing, or working with youth, he owns and manages a commercial real estate firm focusing on office, medical and investment real estate.
PETER MINOT
Vice Commander DTS, Committee: Finance
Peter Minot is Executive Vice President and co-founder of Southwest Solutions AZ, Inc, a full- service marketing and promotion company, a family-owned local business since 2014. Helping businesses to grow, serving the military community, his family and his ranch are his true passions. Minot currently serves in many capacities throughout the community: Treasurer, Desert Thunder Squadron Ex Officio, Past President, 162nd Air Guardians, Vice Chair, Tucson Community Cares Foundation, DM50 Former Honorary Commander, 354th FS (Attack!), Former Vice Commander, Military Affairs Committee, Tucson Metro Chamber, Former President and Treasurer, Greater Vail Area Chamber of Commerce, Former Treasurer, Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, Former Treasurer, Women’s Council of REALTORS. Minot also co-founded in 1974 Five Bridges, Inc, an American ceramic manufacturer.
MITCH PISIK
Treasurer DTS, Committee: Finance
I have been an active and enthusiastic supporter of DMAFB specifically, and our military in general, for many years. I had the honor of being an honorary commander for 66 months. I was on the base an average of once every six weeks - supporting and expressing appreciation for our Airmen in a myriad of ways. I joined the DTS immediately after my Honorary Commander assignment was completed. I completely support the mission of DTS, like and respect my fellow members, and would be pleased to join the Board - as it will provide me with the opportunity to make an even greater difference in the lives and support of the Base. I was a senior executive at several Fortune 100 global businesses; was a CEO of four Private Equity portfolio companies; and for the past seven years have run a successful Business Consulting, Executive Coaching, and Leadership and Sales Training business - headquartered in Tucson.
NANCY COLE
Secretary DTS
Nancy Cole served as an Honorary Commander with the 355th Contracting Squadron from 2019 – 2021. She joined the Desert Thunder Squadron in October of 2021, and began as Secretary of the DTS Board in December of 2021. Working as a civilian to support DMAFB and the Airmen stationed here has been very beneficial, providing insight to how the base operates and what challenges and needs they confront daily to meet their mission goals. Nancy is a registered architect, with 30 years of experience in the construction industry, 20 of which with Pima County working to deliver their Capital Improvement Program. She would like to continue to provide support to DTS as Secretary, and to move the organization forward with initiatives such as the mentorship program.
JANICE BRUNDAGE
Director, Committee: Squadron Visits/Social
Janice was an Honorary Commander for the 79th Squadron from 2016 to 2017. She became a member of Desert Squadron in 2018 to the present. She has served on the Board for DTS and was Membership Chair for the organization for several years. Her efforts have focused on expanding engagement to the base for past Honorary Commanders. Her interest includes serving as member of DM50 since 2018. She is a licensed psychologist and is interested in the mental health challenges of the airmen and their families of the Davis Monthan community.
JOHN DeVIESE
Director, Committee: Afterburners, Membership, One Year Away Program
John DeViese is a retired Air Force First Sergeant who spent 17 of his 20 years of service at Davis-Monthan AFB. Originally from a small town in West Virginia, John joined the Air Force in December of 2003 and was stationed at DMAFB after completing Basic Military Training and the Aircraft Metals Technology technical training school in Aberdeen MD. John arrived at DMAFB in June of 2004 as an Aircraft Metals Technology Airman responsible for maintaining all assigned and transient aircraft. During his career, John specialized in CNC machining, and metal fabrication and helped lead the Air Force’s transition to reverse engineering and 3D printing operations. John was also stationed in Okinawa Japan for 3 years before returning to DMAFB in 2020. During his second tour at DM, he was hand-selected to be an Air Force First Sergeant. He
served the Commanders and Airmen of the Force Support and Security Forces Squadrons before retiring on 1 January 2024. John is a University of Arizona and Greater Tucson Leadership Alum and owns his own home remodeling business while focusing on his passion for helping current and transitioning Airmen from DMAFB become part of the Tucson community. He enjoys spending time with his family, live music, riding motorcycles, and exploring the outdoors around Tucson and Arizona.
SCOTT FADYNICH
Director, Committee: Membership
I am excited about the opportunity to serve on the board of the Desert Thunder Squadron in Tucson, Arizona. I acknowledge the importance of connecting the community with the Air Force Base and supporting our servicemen and women. With my organizational skills and dedication, I aim to strengthen this bond. I am particularly interested in the mentorship program, integrated into phase 2, which helps Airmen transitioning out of service stay in Tucson, a vital initiative In advancing our community with these highly skilled individuals.
SHELLEY KAIS
Director, Committee: Squadron Visits/Social
Shelley was an Honorary Commander for the 355 Medical Group from 2014 to 2015. She was a founding member of the Desert Thunder Squadron. She has served on the Board for the DTS for several years. Shelley's commitment is to the military family and members to ensure their tour at DMAFB demonstrates the warmth the "Old Pueblo" offers to residents and visitors alike. Her support to DTS has been the "back office" side of our organization with an passion to not only grow the organization but to also include the community in recognizing the importance of our military to our community. Shelley is a business owner and travels on business--often meeting Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and civilians who proudly serve in countries throughout the world.
BRENDAN LYONS
Director, Committee: Mentorship Program, Website
BUZZ SCHUDY
Director, Committee: One Year Away Program
A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Buzz Schudy relocated to Tucson in 1995. With nearly thirty years’ experience in Tucson’s healthcare community, Dr. Schudy is proficient in all facets of healthcare administration and is recognized as a team contributor, teacher and leader. He continually strives to generate a culture of mentorship, support and mutual respect, which results in a highly productive, collaborative working environment. The knowledge acquired from his education and professional experiences along with his appreciation for the Tucson community, align with the goals and passion of the Desert Thunder Squadron. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration, a Master’s in Health Law and a Doctorate in Health Administration. Dr. Schudy is proud to have previously served as an Honorary Commander of the 355th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, functioning as a liaison for the Tucson health care community. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, traveling and exploring new places with his wife Deanna and their four kids, especially to places where he has the opportunity to go scuba diving.
MONTIE SLAVIN
Director, Committee: Squadron Visits/Social
MARCUS SYDOW
Director, Committee: Afterburners, Mentorship Program, One Year Away Program
I am writing to express my interest in supporting the efforts of the Desert Thunder Squadron Board. I have always considered myself someone who seeks out challenges and more than anything seeks to be part of something bigger than myself. I find that my most enjoyable experiences tend to be connecting with likeminded people to accomplish some common goal that includes the betterment of others, with an avenue to mentor those that will fill your shoes one day. When looking for ways to spend my time I need to make sure that I am collaborating with others that are going to hold me accountable, help me up when I stumble, and either add tools to my toolbox or show me how to use the tools I have in a more effective way. I consider myself very lucky to have been stationed at DM for 17 of my 24 years and I always tried to find ways to help others and get involved in activities that are outside the norm, and I really do not enjoy doing the same thing everyone else is doing. I just want to be doing something that my skills are being leveraged in a way to be as impactful as possible. In 2016 I began looking for a difficult volunteer project and when I heard about the need for an Airman’s Attic president, I knew that would be tough but with creative solutions and relentless networking I was able to surround myself with the right team we would make it great, and we definitely did we were able to provide so many great items to folks that truly needed them. This also provided me an opportunity to mentor young Airmen that may feel more comfortable opening up about career goals/issues in that environment. I also created the WHYP (We Have Your Pace) running group because I loved to run, and I knew we could help folks improve their running skills and build unmatched camaraderie. The list of opportunities I feel honored to support goes on and on, but I am specifically interested in supporting the Afterburner initiative. Because there is no template, we have flexibility to make it what DTS feels will be the most impactful. Building up a branch of the DTS family tree to be retired military members that have a genuine passion for Davis Monthan and want to stay engaged, to provide an avenue for that will be exciting. I have several ideas as do the other Afterburners for how to be most impactful and we are excited to have the opportunity to really change the way retiring military members interact with and seek out guidance from civic leaders and those who have been in their shoes in the past.
