One Community. One Mission.
Vision
Building strong communities that support America’s military in every defense community/state in the nation.
Mission
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) builds resilient communities that support America’s military. We are the connection point for leaders from communities, states, the military and industry on community-military issues by enhancing knowledge, information sharing, and best practices. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions, and affiliated industry organizations, ADC represents every major defense community/state in the nation.
Values
- We are committed to our mission of education, conducting our business with the highest ethical standards, and ensuring our actions are transparent;
- We are committed to creating great places for our service members, their families and veterans to live, work and play by building collaboration between states, communities and the military;
- We believe in the importance of supporting communities and states when changes in military missions impact local and regional economies;
- We value community‐military partnerships that promote the value of military installations, and strengthen communities and states through collaborative relationships and sustainable regional planning.
A panel discussion at the 2023 Installation Innovation Forum in Orlando, Florida.
Who We Are
Defense communities are the towns, cities, counties, regions and states that serve as home to our nation’s military missions, installations and industrial partners. In some cases, there may be more than one jurisdiction that serves as the community for a base, mission or service members. While defense communities adjacent to major military installations are well known, there are hundreds of other communities that support smaller bases, missions, or serve as home to important DOD industrial base partners. What connects all defense communities is the importance of the local defense-related economy and their engagement in supporting our national security.
Fulfilling the mission of defense communities takes a network of organizations and people, although often times, one organization provides leadership for the community, region or state on defense issues. These organizations, commonly referred to as community-military partnering organizations, take different forms and sizes based on the needs of the community. Local governments or related organizations often serve this role, but they can also be managed by a local chamber or a standalone organization.
What We Do
Defense communities work to ensure our military missions are ready to meet the dynamic needs of our national defense through collaboration, advocacy and direct support. Building and sustaining partnerships that ensure coordination between base and community is a core function of defense communities, but their support is often more direct, including providing direct financial investment in infrastructure that supports the base. Defense communities also provide important services our military families depend upon, including schools, housing, healthcare and other social services that promote a high quality of life.
Tampa Bay celebrates their recognition as a Great American Defense Community at a Buccanneers NFL game in 2018.
ADC’s 5 Year Strategic Plan: 2025-2030
STRATEGY 1 – BEING A CHAMPION FOR COMMUNITIES
Telling the Story
Elevating the vital role of America’s defense communities in supporting our nation’s military.
Fostering Success
Driving policies and initiatives enabling defense communities to thrive alongside military missions
STRATEGY 2 – PROVIDING THOUGHT LEADERSHIP AND FOSTERING CONNECTION
Advancing Expertise
Sharing knowledge, resources, and insights to enhance programs and partnerships that serve communities, installations, service members, and their families.
Strengthening Collaboration
Creating opportunities for communities, states, and federal partners to align on shared goals and build stronger bonds.
STRATEGY 3 – INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
Developing Leaders
Supporting the next generation of community leaders to ensure defense communities remain resilient and prepared for evolving challenges.
Helping Create “One Community”
Guiding the next evolution of America’s defense communities towards the next level of service, support and collaboration.
Strengthening our Ability to Serve
Serve our members and advance our mission by enhancing ADC’s long‐term sustainability and capacity.
LEADERSHIP
Thomas Ford
President
County Administrator, Grand Forks County
Thomas Ford
President
County Administrator, Grand Forks County
Brian Garrett
Vice President
Deputy Director for Military Affairs, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs
Scott Norton
Treasurer
Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, TexAmericas Center
Karen Holt
Past President
Director, Harford County Office of Economic Development
Elaine Bryant
Director
Executive Vice President, Aerospace and Defense, Dayton Development Coalition
Managing Director, Military Federal Sector, JobsOhio
Rick Dwyer
Director
Executive Director, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance
Keith Graf
Director
Executive Director, Texas Military Preparedness Commission
Kimberly Huth
Director
Executive Director of Military Affairs, St. Clair County, Illinois
Harry Kleiser
Director
President, SIA Solutions
Sal Nodjomian
Director
Chief Executive Officer, Matrix Design Group
Jace Ponder
Director
Director, Mississippi Governor’s Office of Military Affairs (GOMA)
Stacey Shepard
Director
President, Shepard Global Strategies, LLC
Lisa Swoboda
Director
Senior Director, Military & Federal Affairs, State of Maryland
John Trylch
Director
Administrative Services Director, City of Fountain, Colorado
Jerrod Wheeler
Director
Superintendent, Knob Noster Public Schools, MO
George Schlossberg, Esq.
Legal Counsel
Partner/Attorney, Kutak Rock, LLP
STAFF
Tim Ford
Chief Executive Officer
Matt Borron
Executive Director
Tim Ford
Chief Executive Officer
Matt Borron
Executive Director
Grace Marvin
Senior Director of Communications
Tonya Burke
Director of Strategic Events
Kamal Clark
Director of Communications
Marcella Mathis
Director of Finance
Will Noonan
Creative Director
Emma Kelly Saunders
Program Manager
Della Khuyag
Membership Director
Isabel Zimmerman
Communications Coordinator
Julia Hermsen
Graphic Designer
Emma Allen
Program Coordinator
Kira Rabourn
Operations Coordinator
Kat Sharma
Communications Specialist
Randy Ford
Editor, On Base Newsletter
ADC Committee/Council Roster
“P-3C Orion Returns From Final Deployment” Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc Cuenca