Retired Air Force Col. Kim Wintner has been named to head a tri-county committee that works to protect the military and the defense industry in Northwest Florida.
Wintner, who lives in Destin, has served on the Defense Support Initiative committee for about 10 years. The organization is spearheaded by Okaloosa County’s Economic Development Council.
The committee works to protect local military bases and their economic contributions to Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa counties, and to maintain the relationship between the military and civilian communities.
Just before Wintner retired from the Air Force 13 years ago, he served first as a commander at Hurlburt Field and then immediately following as a vice commander at Eglin Air Force Base.
“That helped me get a viewpoint of the missions of both our major installations in our area,” Wintner said Tuesday. “Since I retired I’ve stayed close to the Air Force in many ways, working with committees and the commanders trying to keep my knowledge high on what their problems are.”
The Defense Support Initiative tries to make sure the bases’ missions have all they need to try to protect them from relocation or closure, which would have a devastating impact on the local economy. Sixty-five percent of Okaloosa’s economy is defense-related, said EDC Chairman Jim Heald.
As director, one of Wintner’s priorities will be to help resolve any airspace issues between military and civilian or commercial aircraft.
Since the Air Force’s 33rd Fighter Wing started training F-35 pilots and the Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) arrived, airspace needs at Eglin have increased, he said.
Wintner owns Alliance Association Management Co., a real estate management business in Destin.
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Sage Reinlie at 850-315-4443 or lreinlie@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenRnwfdn.