About
Jim was born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. During his first assignment in the United States Air Force at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, he married the love of his life, Robin Vechery in 1989. As they journeyed through life together, they were blessed with three amazing children: Taylor, Starner, and Mari. Taylor is married to Steve, and they have one incredible daughter, Ellie Hope. Starner is married to Callie, and they have two wonderful daughters, Aera Brekke and Maeve James. We are blessed that our youngest daughter Mari, lives near us in Pensacola. Jim has two sisters, both live in Virginia.
Jim retired from the United States Air Force in October 2020 after serving over 31 years on active duty. He was a mobility pilot by trade flying over 3,000 hours in T-37, C-5, KC-135, and C-37 aircraft. He completed his service as the Deputy Commander for United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) where he was directly responsible to the Commander for assisting the AFRICOM team in promoting the national security interests of the United States in Africa.
Upon retirement God brought Jim and Robin to Pace, Florida in the summer of 2020. After visiting Immanuel Baptist Church, they felt God calling them to make this their new Church home and joined in November 2020. Jim considers this season of life as 3.0 where he remains focused on SERVANT leadership and plans to continue His walk with our Lord being humbly obedient to His leading in his life. One of Jim’s favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6 which teaches us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Jim and Robin look forward to seeing how God will continue working in their lives. Jim is patterning this season of his life from a book entitled Half-time as he focuses on leading a life of significance.
Military background: Lieutenant General (Retired) Jim Vechery earned his commission in the United States Air Force in 1988 as a distinguished graduate from Air Force ROTC following his graduation in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland. He obtained a Master of Arts degree in Human Resource Development, Webster University, and is a graduate from the Air War College, the Joint Combined Warfighting School, and various other executive education courses. Over the years, he held command positions at the squadron level and twice at the wing level. He had extensive operational flying experience, including several deployments supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Southern Watch and Northern Watch. His staff experience includes serving as the Major Command Regional Director of Operations, Tanker Airlift Control Center; Chief of Airlift Manning, Headquarters Air Mobility Command; Programmer for C-5 Mobility Forces, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; Chief, Global Force Management Operations, Chief Air Force Legislative Affairs, United States Transportation Command; Deputy Director of Operations, and Deputy Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements, and Programs at Headquarters Air Mobility Command; Director for Embassy Liaison, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF); Director for Logistics, U.S. Africa Command; and Director, Operational Capability Requirements, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.