Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Lt Colonel Denny recently retired from the senior Air Force Junior ROTC instructor position at Maiden High School, a position he held since 1993. He is from Garner, NC, and is a 1968 graduate of UNC-CH with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and has earned a Masters Degree in Human Relations & Management. After UNC-CH he taught/coached for four years.

Colonel Denny entered the USAF in 1972. He completed his Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1973, and was assigned as a T-38 Instructor Pilot at training bases in Mississippi and Texas. He was trained in the new F-16 Fighting Falcon in 1980. He continued in F-16 assignments including South Korea and Turkey. He participated in Desert Storm while in Turkey receiving the Bronze Star Medal. Colonel Denny retired from the USAF in 1992.

Colonel Denny established the AFJROTC program at Maiden High School. His very successful and highly rated program has been very visible and respected in Catawba County performing many community service activities. The mission of AFJROTC is to "build better citizens for America". Colonel Denny was selected several times as an "Outstanding Instructor", reserved for the top 10% of AFJROTC instructors nationwide.

Colonel Denny and his wife, Anita, live in Newton. Anita is currently a Guidance Counselor at Challenger High School located on the CVCC campus. Colonel Denny is a member of the American Legion, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Air Force Association.

I am a candidate for the Catawba County Schools Board of Education. I feel that I have the valuable experiences in my 20 year teaching career and my 20 year military career to make major contributions to the day-to-day operations and policies of our outstanding school system. The Catawba County School system has been very supportive of me and my Air Force Junior ROTC program at Maiden High School. I want to give back to the school system, and continue to work to improve the education of our young people.

In my military career I held several key leadership positions in military organizations from the squadron level to the wing level. I always received high evaluations for my performances both in leadership positions and in my role as a fighter pilot. I learned the meaning of being a team player, and I learned how valuable character traits such as respect, responsibility, honesty, and integrity are in life. I attempt to display those traits in my daily associations with all people, whether students, parents, or administrators. I am very proud of my military career as a fighter pilot, officer, and leader and thoroughly enjoyed sharing my experiences and lessons-learned with my cadets over the years.

I served in the position of Senior Aerospace Science Instructor of the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Maiden High School for 16 years. I am very proud of our program and the wonderful young cadets that have been part of the program. Our main emphasis in the program was for our cadets to receive Character Education training and to graduate with a better awareness of how to be a "better citizen for America". In my 16 years in that position I taught approximately 1600 students. Some went on to successful military experiences; most did not but today are productive citizens in our community. I take great pride in assisting in that process. I am thankful for the opportunity given to me, and I want to continue assisting in the outstanding training of our young students as a member of the Catawba County Schools Board of Education.