Military Affairs Council / Abilene Chamber of Commerce

Bringing Military & Community Together

Dyess Airmen and their families are ingrained in every part of the region's foundation. For more than 70 years, the Abilene community has supported Dyess, forming a unique and special relationship that is unparalleled in the history of the Air Force.

The Abilene Chamber's Military Affairs Council (MAC) is a public-private partnership of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce. MAC is dedicated to supporting the growth and long-term success of Dyess Air Force Base while caring for the needs of military members and their families.

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About MAC

Who we are

The Military Affairs Council is a membership-based affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, consisting of hundreds of members committed to the success of Dyess Air Force Base.

Why Support

Our Mission

The mission of the Military Affairs Council (MAC) is to support, sustain, and strengthen Dyess Air Force Base, including its Missions, Airmen and Families.

For over 70 years, Dyess Air Force Base has served as a cornerstone of the Abilene community and a vital component of our U.S. national defense. Abilene supports Dyess unlike any other community and has set the standard to which others are measured against. Members of the MAC ensure an active and supportive relationship between the community and Dyess Air Force Base.

Only $100 per year ($8.33 per month) to help celebrate, support, sustain and strengthen the military presence in Abilene. For more information on becoming a MAC member, please contact Dianna Davis at dianna@abilenechamber.com.

1-Star $2,500-includes 2 Memberships and 2 complimentary tickets to quarterly luncheons.

2-Star $5,000-includes 4 Memberships and four complimentary tickets to quarterly luncheons and 1 complimentary Busted Putter golf team.

3-Star $15,000-includes 8 Memberships and 8 complimentary tickets to quarterly luncheons and 1 complimentary Busted Putter golf team.

4-Star $25,000-includes 15 Memberships, 15 complimentary tickets to quarterly luncheons, one complimentary Busted Putter golf team, preferred access to MAC events, and tailored engagement opportunities.

Quarterly Luncheons: receive updates from military & civilian leaders

Jump Start: Chamber-led tour of Downtown

HeartLink: Welcome to Airmen & their families

Busted Putter Golf Tournament: Annual event to raise funds for Airmen to travel home for the Holidays

Spooktacular: Annual Fall Festival at Dyess Air Force Base

Operation Cookie Drop: Collected and delivered cookies to Airmen and military families who remain on duty during the holiday season

World’s Largest BBQ: Serving those who serve us

Airmen Recognition Downtown: Mayor & City Council recognizing Dyess heroes

Local School Engagement

Abilene Home Away From Home support: Connecting Airmen with community sponsors

Advocate for Dyess with elected leaders in Washington, D.C. and Austin

Abilene Trophy & Barksdale Trophy: Community support engagement

And a host of other things...

MAC Chair | Katie Alford, Community Foundation of Abilene

MAC Chair-Elect | Brian Yates, West Central Texas Municipal Water District

Past Chair | Greg Blair, Retired

Treasurer | Marshall Morris, First Financial Bank

Secretary | Sam Vinson, Pine Street Capital

Board Member | John Beckham, Beckham, Rector & Eargle, L.L.P.

Board Member| John Havard, OSI Security

Dyess Air Force BAse

Economic Impact

$572 + Million

Economic Impact

Across the Big Country

8,097

Total Military

Employment

14,075

Total Employment

Personnel

1,598

Jobs Created

Total Number

Helpful Links

Dyess Air Force Base Website

Dyess AFB Memorial Museum and Linear Air Park

Dyess Air Force Base Facebook

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Our Corporate Partners

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Executive Team

Doug Peters, President & CEO, Abilene Chamber

Doug Peters, CCE, IOM

President & CEO

doug@abilenechamber.com

Frances Williamson, CPA

Chief Financial Officer

williamsonf@abilenechamber.com

Membership Team

Norm Archibald

Government Affairs Director

norm@abilenechamber.com

Kodi Collett

Marketing & Communications Manager

kodi@abilenechamber.com

Dianna D. Davis

Program Manager for the Military Affairs Council & the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance

dianna@abilenechamber.com

Ashley DiMauro

Senior Director of Operations

ashley@abilenechamber.com

Nathaniel Ellsworth

Office & Events Logistics Manager

nathaniel@abilenechamber.com

Alessa Goldsmith

Events Manager

alessa@abilenechamber.com

Jennifer Kent, IOM

Director of Programs

jennifer@abilenechamber.com

John Nichols, Maj Gen, USAF (Retired)

Vice President, Military Affairs

john@abilenechamber.com

Kendal Subia

Senior Manager, Member Development

kendal@abilenechamber.com

Visitors Bureau Team

Kim Bosher

Sales Director

kim@abilenevisitors.com

Ashli Brooks

Communications Specialist

ashli@abilenevisitors.com

Sierra Davenport

Sales and Operations Manager

sierra@abilenevisitors.com

Robert Lopez

Vice President, Convention & Visitors Bureau

Robert@abilenevisitors.com

Terri Owens

Office Administrator

terri@abilenevisitors.com

Hunter Schmidt

Sports Tourism Manager

Hunter@abilenevisitors.com

Kailey Valadez

Visitors Experience Director

kailey@abilenevisitors.com

Cultural Affairs Team

Lynn Barnett

Vice President, Cultural Affairs Council

lynn@abilenecac.org

Beth Beam

CALF Director & Development Assistant

calf@abilenecac.org

Traci Hartmann

Executive Director of Young Audiences

yaprogram@abilenecac.org

Vikki Head

Director of Operations

operations@abilenecac.org

Sidney Levesque

Director of Marketing

sidney@abilenecac.org

Emily Lomax

Executive Director of Young Audiences

yaprogram@abilenecac.org

Dawn Ripple

Executive Director of Children's Performing Arts Series

cpasdirector@abilenecac.org

Susan Steele

CPAS Box Office Manager and Grants Administrator

cpas@abilenecac.org

Growth Alliance Team

Kodi Collett

Marketing & Communications Manager

kodi@abilenechamber.com

Dianna D. Davis

Program Manager for the Military Affairs Council & the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance

dianna@abilenechamber.com

Nathaniel Ellsworth

Office & Events Logistics Manager

nathaniel@abilenechamber.com

Cameron Sloan

Talent & Emerging Business Specialist

cameron@abilenechamber.com

MAC Team

Dianna D. Davis

Program Manager for the Military Affairs Council & the Abilene Regional Growth Alliance

dianna@abilenechamber.com

John Nichols, Maj Gen, USAF (Retired)

Vice President, Military Affairs

john@abilenechamber.com

Member Services Team

Ashley DiMauro

Senior Director of Operations

ashley@abilenechamber.com

Nathaniel Ellsworth

Office & Events Logistics Manager

nathaniel@abilenechamber.com

Jennifer Kent, IOM

Director of Programs

jennifer@abilenechamber.com

Kendal Subia

Senior Manager, Member Development

kendal@abilenechamber.com

Development Team

Ashley DiMauro

Senior Director of Operations

ashley@abilenechamber.com

Kendal Subia

Senior Manager, Member Development

kendal@abilenechamber.com