Military Alumni Serve Country and State

In 2011, when Col. Michael Pankau ’84, took over as commander of the 139^th Airlift Wing Missouri Air National Guard at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph, he was following in the footsteps of fellow alumnus, Brig. Gen. Stephen Cotter ’78, who commanded the 139^th from 2003 to 2009.

When Steve became the assistant adjutant general – Air for the Missouri Air National Guard in 2010, he was joined less than a year later by fellow alumnus, Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason ’89, who became the assistant adjutant general – Army for the Missouri National Guard in 2011.

Steve and Mike also both served as commander of the Advanced Airlift Tactics Training Center in St. Joseph for two-years stints.

All three alumni are proud members of the United States National Guard and proud to be alumni of Missouri Western.

Brig. Gen. Stephen Cotter (Retired) ’78

When he enrolled as a student at Missouri Western, Steve was working for a flying service in St. Joseph, and wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for a career. Then a pilot took him up for a ride, and he loved it. Then the owner of the flying service offered to give him flying lessons, and Steve knew what his career would be.

He flew full-time for the National Guard before going to work for Trans World Airlines in 1988. After a six-month deployment with the Guard in 1991, he was offered a full-time position as a pilot with the Guard. Steve served on several military tours and deployments, including serving as aircraft commander, C-130, for the 1632^nd Tactical Airlift Squadron in the United Arab Emirates.

“I’ve been all over the world. I couldn’t see myself sitting behind a desk,” Steve said. “I never thought a boy from Savannah, Mo. would be exposed to so much. It was a constant source of fascination.”

Steve earned a master’s degree in aero science technology and also graduated from the Air War College.

After commanding the 139^th Airlift Wing, Steve served as Chief of Staff for the Missouri Air National Guard at the Missouri Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City, Mo. Steve retired from the National Guard this past winter, so he has time to enjoy hunting, fishing and working in his small vineyard.

“Missouri Western is the epitome of what an institution of advanced learning should be,” Steve said. “When I went to the Air Force pilot training, I was competing with guys from top universities, and I was competitive. I realized that I had the same educational foundation that they had had.”

Brig. Gen. Gregory Mason ’89

Greg was working full time as a Missouri Highway Patrol officer and a member of the National Guard when he enrolled at Missouri Western, so most semesters, he was a part-time student.

After earning a criminal justice degree, he continued his career with both the Highway Patrol and the National Guard. He retired from the Highway Patrol in 2008 after 30 years of service.

“I’ve had two great careers,” Greg said. “It’s rewarding to serve my country and the citizens of the state.”

As Steve had done, Greg served as Chief of Staff for the Missouri Army National Guard for the Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City, Mo., before being named assistant adjutant general.

Greg was deployed several times throughout his career, and he served as the senior intelligence officer for the 35^th Engineer Brigade during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-08.

He was appointed to Missouri Western’s Board of Governors in December 2012.

Greg earned a master’s in public management from Park University and a master’s in strategic studies from the U.S. Army College, but he fondly remembers his alma mater.

“My time at Missouri Western was great. The teachers were great and it provided a good basis for me,” Greg said. “Missouri Western gave me a good background and foundation to go further.”

Col. Michael Pankau ’84

Mike Pankau came to Missouri Western with one goal in mind: earn a degree so he could join the National Guard and start flying. As soon as he graduated with a psychology degree, that’s just what he did. He has spent his entire career in the National Guard, and today he is the commander of the 139^th Airlift Wing at Rosecrans Memorial Airport in St. Joseph.

“There’s never been a time that I questioned why I did this,” he said. “It’s a perfect fit for me. I get to go flying anytime I feel like flying.”

He commands approximately 1,100 military members at Rosecrans, which includes members of the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and some active duty military.

He attended the Air Force undergraduate navigator training and served as a navigator on the C-130 Lockheed aircraft. He served on many military tours and deployments over the years, including director of operations for the 4410^th Airlift Squadron in Saudi Arabia and mission commander for the 180^th Airlift Squadron in the Middle East.

“I’ve always been proud to be a Missouri Western alumnus,” Mike said. “It’s a great place to get your start.” He said he worked a lot off-campus, but he enjoyed attending athletic events whenever he had a chance.

He completed Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College, and earned a master’s in aero science technology.

Leadership philosophies

Three alumni with careers in the Missouri National Guard recently shared their leadership philosophies:

Brig. Gen. Cotter: My management philosophy is “people first.” I’ve learned that people can accomplish amazing things if given opportunity, trust, and guidance (expectations). I always stress excellence as the expectation.

Ret. Brig. Gen. Mason: Work with folks, not as their supervisor. They work better with you rather than you over them. You get the most done when you are shoulder to shoulder. Also, leading by example is crucial.

Col. Pankau: I keep my eye on the details but I let supervisors supervise and commanders command. I was mentored and hopefully I am passing along some of that knowledge.

My psychology degree from Missouri Western has helped me more than I ever realized.