ADC Announces this Year’s Defense Communities National Champions

March 19, 2025
Defense Community Champions | News from ADC | On Base
The Association of Defense Communities announced this year’s Defense Communities National Champions:

  • John Cooper, Sr., Chair, Niagara Military Affairs Council, Western New York
  • Daniel Rhoades, Senior Advisor; President of 21st Century Partnership; Museum of Aviation Foundation, Middle Georgia
  • Brittany Smart, Senior Advisor for Defense, Community & Research, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks North Star Borough

ADC also announced that Lt. Gen. Omar Jones IV, commanding general of Army Installation Management Command, will receive its National Impact Award.

The four will be recognized at the upcoming Defense Communities National Summit.

The Champions program, through partnership with Navy Federal Credit Union, was created to “recognize individuals who make a difference in their defense communities through deeds big and small,” ADC says on its website. In addition to National Champions, communities across the country participate by honoring local Champions, honored on ADC’s website.

ADC photo of Rhoades by Ryan Baker

March 19, 2025
Defense Community Champions | News from ADC | On Base

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