John McCurdy

Biography: John McCurdy is a Rogers native currently employed with the City of Rogers as the Director of Community Development overseeing city planning and major construction projects. Mr. McCurdy graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math, Science, and Engineering, and retired from active duty on March 31st, 2016 at the rank of Colonel. During a 5-year break in service in the 1990s, John was a retail Brand Manager at Tyson Foods, and Director of Retail Sales and Marketing at Simmons Foods. During his military career he was an instructor pilot in T-37, T-41, T-1, C-5, and RQ-4 aircraft. He was the Director of the Dover Air Force Base Command Post on 9/11, and oversaw immediate actions taken at Dover and around the world during the days that followed. He commanded the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron at Beale Air Force Base, conducting intelligence and surveillance operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa; as well as natural disaster and drug interdiction operations throughout the world. He later commanded the joint, international 738th Air Expeditionary Advisor Squadron in Kabul, Afghanistan during 2010, and oversaw the establishment of all formal training programs to support the newly formed Afghan Air Force. Upon redeployment, he was assigned to the Air Force Academy to establish an unmanned aerial vehicles training program, served as the Director of Research for the Dean of the Faculty, and then retired as the Director of the Air Force Center for Character and Leadership Development. He is a Command Pilot and the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Legion of Merit. Mr. McCurdy accepted his current position with the City of Rogers following a 1-year stint as a private contractor advising the United Arab Emirates regarding leadership and professional development programs. He is accredited in city planning with the Congress for the New Urbanism and hold