26-Year Air Force Program Manager New Du Quoin Administrator

A globetrotting armaments specialist for the United States Air Force has been appointed Du Quoin city administrator.

Brad Myers has been appointed effective Oct. 29, 2012. He brings to the position a great sense of public service and family, leadership skills, training ability and attention to detail.

He fills the position held by the late Blaine Bastien.

And, he comes at a price: $77,500. He was hired as city administrator and appointed as city clerk.

The appointment was announced at Monday's regular city council meeting where council members extended their heartfelt appreciation to assistant clerk Tami Burdel and her staff for the commitment they made during this transition.

"I left Illinois at 18, went into the service at 19 and have always longed to return to a small town atmosphere. I am looking forward to the challenge," Myers told the newspaper Monday afternoon in a telephone interview. "I don't know why, but I have the inclination to be the person to make the decisions. I don't want to be the center of attention, but at the center of the activity," he said.

"They wanted someone with some accounting and financial management ability as well as writing grants. I have done all of that. I am quick to get up to speed," he said.

He said he was very grateful for the opportunity and thanked the council and the community. Myers said he understands the longstanding love of Bastien the community has. Myers said he simply wants to serve the community well.

Myers is very down-to-earth and said he spent the day steam cleaning carpets so he can put his house on the market.

Finance commissioner Rex Duncan assembled Mr. Myers' biography for the newspaper.

Myers was born in Belleville, Ill. When he was one-year-old his family moved to Lebanon, Ill. where he grew up until he was 19 years old.

Myers attended Lebanon public schools and after high school graduation, with a job as a punch press operator in O'Fallon, Ill., decided the Air Force would be a good way to get an education as well as work experience.

In February of 1980 Myers arrived at Lackland AFB, Tex. to begin his Air Force career. After graduation from basic training, Myers was assigned to Lowry AFB in Denver, Colo. to attend technical school for assignment as an Aircraft Armament Systems Specialist. Myers' first duty station was Hill AFB, Utah.

While stationed in Utah, Myers' duty titles included Weapons Load Crew Chief, Armament Systems Team Lead, Lead Crew Chief, Instructor and Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor.

In 1991, He was assigned to Eielson AFB, Ala. as an F-16 Armament Systems Master Instructor and ultimately became the operating location Detachment Chief. In 1994, Myers was selected for retraining and became a Ground Radio Communications Flight Superintendent assigned to Shaw AFB, SC.

Myers stayed in South Carolina until 1996 when he was selected as Squadron Maintenance Superintendent in charge of nearly 300 personnel and became the senior enlisted member of the initial cadre team that moved the Squadron to Mountain Home AFB, Idaho.

After a few years in Idaho, Myers was once again selected as a Detachment Chief and ran a school that provided F-16, F-15, B-1 and KC-135 aircraft maintenance training for over 900 students annually.

In 2002 Myers was assigned to Osan AB, South Korea in his other career field as Squadron Maintenance Superintendent in charge of nearly 300 personnel again. In 2003, Myers was reassigned to Schriever AFB, Colo. as Maintenance Superintendent and later as Squadron Superintendent for the $8.1 billion dollar Air Force Satellite Control Network with over 600 active duty, civilian and contractor personnel under his leadership.

After 26 years, Myers retired from the Air Force in May 2006. Since that time, Myers has been a civilian Department of Defense contractor in Colorado Springs, Colorado and has held positions as Director of Maintenance, Proposal Manager, Director of Operations and Program Manager on contract efforts with dollar values as high as $500 million and with as many as 300 union and non-union personnel assigned.

Myers' education includes three Associates Degrees through the Community College of the Air Force. During his career Myers has received many awards and accolades including four Air Force Commendation Medals and four Air Force Meritorious Service Medals. He has completed numerous leadership and management academies and received his Bachelor's Degree in Management/Computer Information Systems from Park University, Parkville Mo.

Myers and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 10 years and have four children (Andy, David, Suzanne and Ryan) and two granddaughters (Kaydance and Jemma).

They both appreciate the experiences the military life has afforded them but are looking forward to settling down in an area they consider "home". Myers has always had the desire to return to Southern Illinois and is very excited and eager to become Du Quoin's next city administrator.