Air Force teaches Hoffman management and leadership skills
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, November 02, 2007
Brent Hoffman has never shied away from a battlefield.
During his Air Force career, he served at bases in the United States and overseas, overseeing hundreds of troops and a $2.2 billion logistics budget. Six years ago, he was in the Pentagon when terrorists flew a jet into the building on Sept. 11th. He escaped.
Hoffman now faces a battle on two different fronts.
He's campaigning to become the first directly elected mayor in Sioux City since 1953. And, in what might be the biggest struggle of his life, he's supporting his wife, Mary Jo, as she undergoes a second round of chemotherapy. Surgeons removed a lung to cut out a cancerous tumor.
"In seeing her and what a fighter she is, she's been an inspiration to me," said Hoffman, 44. "I feel how can I do any less? If she is willing to encourage me, I have to be courageous in pursuing this position in trying to move the city forward. She encouraged me to run."
His wife serves as his campaign manager, drawing on her experience working as a scheduler for Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, in Washington, D.C.
"I have been very blessed to have worked for a man who is one of the greatest leaders in Iowa politics -- Charles Grassley," Mary Jo Hoffman said. "I know Brent can be that kind of leader."
Military Career
Like many teenagers, Hoffman wasn't sure what he wanted to do upon graduation from high school. He enlisted in the 185th Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, in 1981 where he worked on armament systems for Corsairs.
"I think I was lacking some direction," he recalled. "The military offered an opportunity to instill discipline, learn leadership and to serve my nation."
In addition to working for the 185th, he attended Iowa State University part time and started a video arcade business.
"I felt encouraged by being in the 185th and entered active duty military at the age of 20."
He served at Air Force bases in the United States and West Germany. In 1989, he earned his undergraduate degree from Newman University in Wichita, Kan., by going to night school while stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. He was commissioned an officer shortly afterward. He obtained his master's degree from the University of South Dakota while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City.
"One unique thing about the military is the amount of authority given to our enlisted personnel and young officers. As a young lieutenant, I was in charge of 200 people and 650 nuclear weapons. You learn the importance of attention to detail. You learn to be in control."
Later, he commanded 400 to 500 troops and oversaw that massive logistics budget.
A Tough Decision
As a captain serving at a NATO base in Europe, Hoffman said he made one of the hardest calls of his career -- a decision he still supports.
"They had an archaic system. The nuclear weapons facility had become outdated and there was a great risk to our national security," he asserted.
He wrote a critical report recommending changes. Senior officers did not take kindly to an underling's suggestions.
"They were beholden to the status quo," he said. "I simply felt it was the right thing to do. About a year later, I was reassigned back to the Pentagon and ultimately, I could push to get those weapons moved."
Others tried to derail his career because of his actions.
"I just remember what a four-star general, Lloyd "Fig" Newton, told me. He said, 'Brent, no matter what you do in leadership, you will be criticized. You will be criticized for doing nothing. You might as well be criticized for doing what you think is right.' I take the same approach now on the City Council.. I understand criticisms will be made. I'll do my best to do what I think is right."
The Hawkeye return
A combination of factors drew the family home to Iowa. After Sept. 11, 2001, the Hoffmans had to decide whether he would remain in the Air Force, which could have included a promotion to colonel and an assignment at the White House. Their son, Silas, was born in 2000. Their daughter Lydia, born in 2002, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, requiring around-the-clock monitoring and insulin injections. (They now have two dogs and a cat.)
Hoffman said he and Mary Jo decided, "We wanted to raise our kids here. We intend to stay here. We hope our children find jobs here."
In part because he wants his kids and other parents' children to find good-paying employment, Hoffman cites economic development as a cornerstone of his campaign.
He served on the city's fiscal management committee and was elected to the council two years ago.
"I view that role on the council as an extension of my military service."
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
During his Air Force career, he served at bases in the United States and overseas, overseeing hundreds of troops and a $2.2 billion logistics budget. Six years ago, he was in the Pentagon when terrorists flew a jet into the building on Sept. 11th. He escaped.
Hoffman now faces a battle on two different fronts.
He's campaigning to become the first directly elected mayor in Sioux City since 1953. And, in what might be the biggest struggle of his life, he's supporting his wife, Mary Jo, as she undergoes a second round of chemotherapy. Surgeons removed a lung to cut out a cancerous tumor.
"In seeing her and what a fighter she is, she's been an inspiration to me," said Hoffman, 44. "I feel how can I do any less? If she is willing to encourage me, I have to be courageous in pursuing this position in trying to move the city forward. She encouraged me to run."
His wife serves as his campaign manager, drawing on her experience working as a scheduler for Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, in Washington, D.C.
"I have been very blessed to have worked for a man who is one of the greatest leaders in Iowa politics -- Charles Grassley," Mary Jo Hoffman said. "I know Brent can be that kind of leader."
Military Career
Like many teenagers, Hoffman wasn't sure what he wanted to do upon graduation from high school. He enlisted in the 185th Fighter Wing, Iowa Air National Guard, in 1981 where he worked on armament systems for Corsairs.
"I think I was lacking some direction," he recalled. "The military offered an opportunity to instill discipline, learn leadership and to serve my nation."
In addition to working for the 185th, he attended Iowa State University part time and started a video arcade business.
"I felt encouraged by being in the 185th and entered active duty military at the age of 20."
He served at Air Force bases in the United States and West Germany. In 1989, he earned his undergraduate degree from Newman University in Wichita, Kan., by going to night school while stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. He was commissioned an officer shortly afterward. He obtained his master's degree from the University of South Dakota while stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City.
"One unique thing about the military is the amount of authority given to our enlisted personnel and young officers. As a young lieutenant, I was in charge of 200 people and 650 nuclear weapons. You learn the importance of attention to detail. You learn to be in control."
Later, he commanded 400 to 500 troops and oversaw that massive logistics budget.
A Tough Decision
As a captain serving at a NATO base in Europe, Hoffman said he made one of the hardest calls of his career -- a decision he still supports.
"They had an archaic system. The nuclear weapons facility had become outdated and there was a great risk to our national security," he asserted.
He wrote a critical report recommending changes. Senior officers did not take kindly to an underling's suggestions.
"They were beholden to the status quo," he said. "I simply felt it was the right thing to do. About a year later, I was reassigned back to the Pentagon and ultimately, I could push to get those weapons moved."
Others tried to derail his career because of his actions.
"I just remember what a four-star general, Lloyd "Fig" Newton, told me. He said, 'Brent, no matter what you do in leadership, you will be criticized. You will be criticized for doing nothing. You might as well be criticized for doing what you think is right.' I take the same approach now on the City Council.. I understand criticisms will be made. I'll do my best to do what I think is right."
The Hawkeye return
A combination of factors drew the family home to Iowa. After Sept. 11, 2001, the Hoffmans had to decide whether he would remain in the Air Force, which could have included a promotion to colonel and an assignment at the White House. Their son, Silas, was born in 2000. Their daughter Lydia, born in 2002, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, requiring around-the-clock monitoring and insulin injections. (They now have two dogs and a cat.)
Hoffman said he and Mary Jo decided, "We wanted to raise our kids here. We intend to stay here. We hope our children find jobs here."
In part because he wants his kids and other parents' children to find good-paying employment, Hoffman cites economic development as a cornerstone of his campaign.
He served on the city's fiscal management committee and was elected to the council two years ago.
"I view that role on the council as an extension of my military service."
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynnzerschling@lee.net
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LTC wrote on Nov 3, 2007 8:25 PM:
Don wrote on Nov 3, 2007 9:47 AM:
HRollins wrote on Nov 3, 2007 9:13 AM:
NSC wrote on Nov 2, 2007 6:10 PM:
Go get em wrote on Nov 2, 2007 10:56 AM: