Retired USAF Col. Daniel (Dan) Penny New Executive Director of 21st Century Partnership

The 21st Century Partnership announced Wednesday their new Executive Director, retired United States Air Force Col. Daniel (Dan) Penny. Penny’s appointment will be effective Aug.15.

Stated in a press release sent from the partnership’s office, Chairman of the 21st Century Partnership of Middle Georgia, Rob Brooks said they are thrilled to welcome him to the team.

“Col. Penny’s proven leadership within Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Air Force and Middle Georgia, coupled with his keen planning ability will bode well for Robins Air Force Base and Middle Georgia,” said Brooks.

Bob Hatcher, Chairman of the 21st Century Partnership Foundation, Inc. and Brooks, have been working together since January as co-chairs of a special committee, charged with identifying/recommending a new Executive Director the release said. They considered a wide variety of prospects including current and past Air Force, Reserve and Guard officers; Robins and DoD civilians; and community leaders. Subsequently Penny’s name rose to the top, he was interviewed by the Partnership board members on Friday and accepted the job that afternoon the release said.

The 28-year Air Force veteran, Penny, said he is ready to get started.

“I feel very honored to be appointed to this position,” said Penny. “I appreciated the process of the committee in their quest to select a new director, it wasn’t fast pace, and they really looked into a lot of qualified candidates.”

Penny already has some priorities set before his position goes into effect.

“The first priority is establishing communication,” said Penny. “We want to make sure our local community and the 11 county partners are being heard. I am here and they’re going to get 110 percent from me. It has dropped a little bit since we haven’t had anyone here in this office in a while, but again that is soon to change.”

Another priority of his is working daily to prep for base realignment and closure (BRAC). Penny said right now Robins Air Force Base is in good hands.

“Robins Air Force Base has been here a long time, and we’re going to continue to be here for a long time,” said Penny. “I’m not going to say we are BRAC proof, I don’t think anyone is BRAC proof, but I believe with our team and partners we will be fully prepared.”

Penny hopes to after he gets started to visit all 11 county partners to meet and build personal relationships.

Penny’s last position was with Lockheed Martin Corporate where he was the Field Office Manager the release said. He worked with Lockheed from 1998 to 2016. Prior he served in the U.S. Air Force for 28 years with several assignments throughout the U.S. and overseas. His last duty station was with the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway where he served as the Chief, Office of Defense Cooperation and was the primary military representative in Norway. He has served in several community leadership positions; Aerospace Industry Committee President in 2010 & 2011, Air Force Association President from 2013-2016, and currently is the Chairman of the Museum of Aviation Foundation. Penny holds a Master of Science in Public Administration from Troy State University.

Penny also encourages the community to visit the 21st Century Partnership website, www.21stcenturypartnerhsip.com , to learn more about them and to sign-up for their weekly newsletter. There is also a section for those to voice their concerns.

The 21st Century Partnership is a Georgia 501(c)3 nonprofit with the dedicated mission of ensuring the long-term viability of Robins Air Force Base and the entire Middle Georgia region.

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