In this issue, The AFIT Foundation will be recognizing Lieutenant General (Ret.) Ted Bowlds, Proven CEO, Board Member, and U.S. Air Force General specializing in Strategy Formulation, Technology Development, Systems Test, and Program Execution.

Lt Gen Bowlds received his MS in Electrical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology in 1979. His desire to join the military came from a love of aviation. He served as Commander of the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, MA, and also served as Commander of Air Force Research Laboratory. After a 45+ year career in the United States Air Force, Lt Gen Bowlds now serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Cameo Consulting Group, LLC, a Board Member of Boom Supersonic, and a General Partner at Thomas & Taylor Search Partners.

When Lt Gen Bowlds arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base following his commission, he discovered he could take classes part-time at AFIT to keep his undergraduate engineering degree current. When he began taking classes, he was told there was a limit on the number of hours and he couldn’t get a degree. Over time, the limit got raised and eventually, he was able to complete his MS provided he fulfilled all the AFIT requirements. Lt Gen Bowlds was one of the first students to get an MS from AFIT as a part-time student.

AFIT convinced Lt Gen Bowlds that getting degrees part-time was a good way to grow in one’s life. He filled his AFIT experience with two more part-time degrees: an MS in Engineering Management and a PhD in Systems Engineering. Lt Gen Bowlds also believes his degree was instrumental in his attending the USAF Test Pilot School as an engineer.

Lt Gen Bowlds advises those who are considering entering the military to make the time to always be learning. Thank you, Lieutenant General Bowlds!