Col. Anderson chosen as Woman of Influence in Springs Published Nov. 7, 2006 By Becky Hurley Colorado Springs Business Journal COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Her day job combines Col. Liz Anderson's dual talents as a leader and work force organizer. With responsibility for more than 6,000 officer, enlisted, civilian and contract employees as well as 7,000 family members who are part of 44 units assigned to the world's largest U.S. Air Force base, she carries an impressive workload. Colonel Anderson's role as assistant to the Commander of the 21st Space Wing here is to help lead the more than 6,000 officer, enlisted, civilian and contract employees who provide missile defense and space control/surveillance support for the combat troops from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. It's a big job, but Colonel Anderson never expected to be your average 9-to-5 employee. Upon earning a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Connecticut, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the ROTC program. "When I was considering a career in the 1970s, the women's movement was just starting. That's when I decided as a woman I wanted to be paid the same a man would be for the same job," she said. Colonel Anderson entered active duty in July 1979 and following assignments in Arizona, Alaska and Germany, she transferred to the Air Force Reserve where she served as a technician in the Total Quality Management field and as a student at the Air War College. Ultimately, she achieved the dual position as director of personnel and as the 302nd Mission Support Squadron commander. In October 2001, she began duties at the 460th Air Base Wing at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. She volunteered for and was deployed for nine-and-a-half months to two locations in Pakistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. Colonel Anderson assumed her current position with the 21st Space Wing in January 2004. "The wing commander serves basically like the mayor of a town," said Maj. Amy Sufak, 21st Space Wing public affairs officer, who nominated Anderson as a woman of influence. "As the chief Reservist on base, Colonel Anderson steps up whenever Col. [Jay] Santee is traveling. It's a lot of responsibility and she handles it every day with so much enthusiasm." Her nominators, Major Sufak and Senior Airman Mandy Weightman, as well as those who have worked with her in the community, use the same two words to describe Colonel Anderson's talents: energy and enthusiasm. In addition to a full plate of military responsibilities, Colonel Anderson also participates in several civic organizations. On top of all that, she also manages to run a small business and is an active member of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce. She is a parishioner at Holy Apostles Church and was recently named to the Board of Trustees for Catholic Charities. As a Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado volunteer, Colonel Anderson has served on the organization's board of directors. John Gatto, owner of Crestone Commercial Real Estate, has served with Colonel Anderson on the J.A. Board of Directors. He sees her as an asset to the organization, even when faced with periodic deployments. "She recently left for Iraq and came back, but remains an active, energetic and enthusiastic contributor to our efforts," he said. "She's always working for us nationally as well as locally." But it is Colonel Anderson's military colleagues who pay her the greatest compliments. "She's our highest ranking Reservist and a woman to boot," Major Sufak said. "She sets an excellent example for younger Airmen - from smooth operations of our roads, clubs, medical clinics, schools, community services to our military training and service." "The Air Force pays me for leadership," Colonel Anderson said. "I think it can be an acquired trait. I was the oldest of five and took advantage of experience in Girl Scouts, high school band and ROTC to learn a take-charge attitude." Of her many achievements, Colonel Anderson picks promotion to colonel in 1998 as her proudest moment. That has been followed by three meritorious service medals, receipt of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters and the Air Force commendation medal with two oak leaf clusters, and numerous other professional awards and milestones. "What I really like about what I do is that it provides an opportunity to keep learning. I'm still challenged and stimulated," she said. Until she leaves the military, Colonel Anderson will continue to leave a legacy of leadership in her military, civilian and entrepreneurial worlds.