Kodi Bailey is a retired Chief Master Sergeant who served honorably for 24 years. Throughout his career, Chief Bailey led with compassion, discipline, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of Airmen.

As the author of Letters to Airmen: Lessons on Growth, Resilience, and Service In The Airman Tier, Kodi draws from decades of lived experience to guide new Airmen through the challenges and triumphs of military life. His voice is grounded in humility, shaped by adversity, and inspired by the letters, stories, and lessons passed between wingmen.

Today, Kodi continues his commitment to community and leadership as an entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, and mentor. He is the founder of the Letters to Airmen series and the driving force behind Equiliberty INC, a fintech company focused on empowering under-capitalized communities through technology, financial literacy, and access to opportunity.

When he’s not writing, speaking, or leading, Chief Bailey cherishes time with his wife Sabrina, and their children and proudly cheers on each Airman who chooses to fly with purpose.

Chief Master Sergeant Gerardo J. Ventura is dual hatted as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters Seventh Air Force and the Force Protection Division, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Chief Ventura advises the Seventh Air Force Chief of Staff, Directors, and over 200 United States and Republic of Korea personnel on the best use of human resources to meet mission requirements to ensure a unified presentation to the Commander, Combined Air Component Command.

Chief Ventura grew up in South Gate, CA. He entered the Air Force in January 1999. He graduated from the Security Forces apprentice course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in May 1999. His background includes various duties within the Security Forces career field at the unit, Major Command (MAJCOM), and Field Operating Agency levels. His previous assignments include bases in Wyoming, California, Illinois, and New Mexico. Chief Ventura also served overseas in Japan and Guam and has deployed to Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Africa in support of Operations SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and East Africa’s Command missions.

Chief Master Sergeant Felipe E. Perez is the Senior Enlisted Leader of the 844th Communications Group at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. He advises the Commander on cyber operations and leads 970 personnel supporting 32,000 users across 84 units, 6 wings, and 3 joint bases. He oversees $250 million in systems and circuits, supports global command and control for senior U.S. leaders, and manages executive agent duties for the $517 million NMCC cyber and nuclear communication infrastructure. Chief Perez enlisted in the Air Force in 1996 as an Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, loading F-16 Falcons and B-1B Lancers. In 2000, he cross-trained into the Communications-Computer Systems Operations career field and has since held various Comm/IT/Cyber roles at the base, Wing, MAJCOM, and Air Operations Center levels. He is married to Colonel Christina P. Perez of Kodiak, Alaska. They have one daughter, Isabela.

Dan Stellabotte is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant now serving as (OWF) Regional Coordinator for Region 8 Rocky Mountain and Great Plains Region which covers ND, SD, NE, KS, WY, UT, and CO. Having served for 28 years, he embraced his passion for helping people, especially as a Career Assistance Advisor, where he assisted countless service members with transition assistance, educational opportunities, and career guidance. Serving as a Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader, and having personally experienced the medical review board, he understands the demands and uncertainties transitioning service members face. After two tours totaling 15 years in the Colorado area, Dan has established significant partnerships and is here to ensure a succesful transition for service members and their loved ones. "Family is my core, people are my passion, and together we make a difference!" - Daniel Stellabotte

DJ Vanas, an internationally acclaimed speaker and bestselling author, is a powerhouse speaker for Fortune 500 companies, hundreds of tribal nations, and over 7000 audiences nationwide. He has also spoken at the White House. More important than all of that is that he’s my Chosen Brother! He wrote the foreword to my book, So Ya Wanna Be THE Chief?!, and has mentored me in several areas of my life.
An enrolled member of the Ottawa Tribe of Michigan, he was born to impoverished teenage parents. He went from sleeping in a drawer for the first three months of his life to becoming a proud graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, a decorated Air Force captain, a renowned member of the tribal community, a bestselling author, and a revered motivational speaker. A true warrior, who is successful in both business and life, he credits these personal triumphs to traditional teachings and ceremony as well as his service as a military officer.

Chief Master Sergeant Jacob “Jake” Simmons is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base Colorado. U.S. Space Command is the Unified Combatant Command responsible for conducting operations in, from, and to space to deter conflict, and if necessary, defeat aggression, deliver space combat power for the Joint/Combined force, and defend U.S. vital interests with allies and partners.

As Command Senior Enlisted Leader, he advises the commander on mission effectiveness, professional development, and military readiness and training of all assigned and attached space forces enabling the preparation, generation, and sustainment of combat-ready intelligence, cyber, space and combat support forces. Additionally, he advises the commander on matters influencing the health, welfare, morale and effective utilization of more than 18,000 assigned and attached professionals, presenting, preserving, and projecting space power around the globe.

Chief Master Sergeant Troy Davis serves as the Chief Enlisted Manager for Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs – Space Force. He advises the Deputy Director for Space on matters related to morale, welfare, recognition, and career progression for more than 152 uniformed and civilian personnel. He provides senior enlisted perspective and subject matter expertise on matters concerning leadership, mentorship, manpower, training, and utilization for the headquarters staff and Space Force public affairs organizations worldwide.

He has served as the Lead Broadcast Instructor at the Defense Information School, where he led a joint instruction team and taught over 900 multi-service members. Chief also served a tour with the 1st Combat Camera Squadron in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was a combat videographer. During his time at Combat Camera, Chief Davis was handpicked to support joint special operations missions for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jacob Bleymaier is a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. He grew up a military brat as his father was a career Maintenance Officer. Captain Bleymaier joined the Air Force in 2019 after commissioning through ROTC at Liberty University where he earned a degree in Politics and Policy and a Minor in Military History. He's currently pursuing a Master’s degree in History through LU and raising his two children with his wife of 7 years who recently concluded her own military service.