Richard A. Shook retired in 2014 as a Major General in the United States Air Force Reserve after more than 36 years of decorated Air Force service. The same year, Gen. Shook retired from his position in the USAF Civil Service, where he served as the mobilization assistant to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve. In this role Mr. Shook was responsible for the development of plans, policies, and programs for the Air Force Reserve in accordance with wartime requirements. He also specialized in joint command and control under U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, VA.
After retiring from active duty, Mr. Shook joined GE Aviation-Military Systems in 2015 as a Senior Manager for USAF Customer Programs. In that role, he served as the company’s lead representative at Headquarters Air Combat Command (ACC) and Headquarters Air Education and Training Command (AETC).
During his 36 years of service, Mr. Shook’s military career assignments included mission-ready instructor pilot, command and staff positions in Air Combat Command, Air Education and Training Command, and U.S. Joint Forces Command. His combat assignments included duty in the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Southwest Asia and as Assistant Vice Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. He has flown over 2200 military hours in the F-15, T-37 and T-38.
Mr. Shook attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB near Phoenix AZ. He became a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the T-37 at Williams AFB from 1979-1983. He then moved to the F-15 Eagle at Langley AFB, VA from 1983-1986. His next assignment was as an F-15 Instructor Pilot at Luke AFB, AZ until 1989. After transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 1989, Rich flew with a major airline in the Boeing 737, McDonnel-Douglas DC-9 and Airbus 320 until his retirement as a commercial pilot in 2007.
Mr. Shook grew up in an Air Force family and is a 1978 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned his commission and a Bachelor of Science degree. He received a Master of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado in 1982.
Today Gen. Shook supports multiple local non-profit organizations. He currently serves as President, York Foundation for Public Education, and President, Greater Hampton Roads Chapter within the National Defense Industrial Association. He is President Emeritus for the Air Force Association’s Langley Chapter as well as the First Fighter Association. Rich and his wife, Margie live in Yorktown, Virginia. They are proud parents of four adult children and love to “spoil” their four grandchildren.