Photo Credit: JB MDL Public Affairs
New Jersey business leader joins 42 community and business leaders inducted into JB MDL’s Honorary Commander Program.
Debra Rizzi, President & Partner of Rizco, has been named an Honorary Commander of the 305th Operations Group (305 OG) at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL).
Rizzi was one of 42 business and community leaders inducted into the Honorary Commander Program on Thursday, August 13, during a ceremony led by Col. Michael D. Stefanovic, USAF, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The Honorary Commander Program connects military commanders with business, civic, and community leaders to foster greater understanding of military missions and build stronger relationships between JB MDL and the communities it serves.
Rizzi will serve alongside Col. Nathan Padgett, Commander of the 305th Operations Group, and Lt. Col. Matthew Eggert, Deputy Commander, during her honorary commander term.
On her induction, Debra Rizzi, President & Partner of Rizco, stated,
“I am honored to serve as an Honorary Commander of the 305th Operations Group and to have the opportunity to learn from the incredible men and women who carry out this mission every day. What has struck me most is the breadth of what happens here. From aerial refueling and global airlift to airfield operations and air traffic control, the 305th Operations Group is responsible for an extraordinary range of missions—and the people behind them are operating at an incredibly high tempo.”
A Mission That Reaches Around the Globe
The approximately 800-person 305th Operations Group operates two of the Air Force’s most important mobility aircraft: the KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueler and the C-17A Globemaster III strategic airlifter. The group also operates two airfields and provides air traffic control services in the greater New Jersey area.
The KC-46A provides aerial refueling capability enabling aircraft to extend their range and remain airborne longer, while the C-17A provides strategic airlift of personnel, equipment, and cargo around the world.
The 305th Operations Group has experienced a demanding year of high-tempo operations while continuing to accomplish significant missions at home and around the globe.
Connecting Business, Innovation and Military Readiness
For Rizzi, the Honorary Commander role provides an opportunity to bring her experience as a business leader, strategist, and communicator into a new environment while gaining a firsthand understanding of military leadership, operations, innovation, and readiness.
“As a business leader, I spend much of my time thinking about how organizations bring people, resources, technology, and strategy together to accomplish a mission. What I’m learning at the 305th is that those same principles take on an entirely different meaning when the mission is global, the stakes are high, and readiness can have an impact far beyond the base. I’m looking forward to listening, learning, and finding ways the business community can better understand and support the military community,” said Rizzi.
Rizzi also sees an opportunity to explore connections between New Jersey’s business, education, engineering, technology, and innovation communities and the challenges facing military readiness and sustainment.
“As we look at the challenges facing organizations today—from workforce development and technology to supply chains and innovation—I believe there is tremendous opportunity for the military and private sector to learn from one another,” said Rizzi. “New Jersey has extraordinary resources, including world-class educational institutions and a strong business and technology community. I’m interested in understanding where those capabilities can intersect with the needs of our military.”
A New Chapter in Community Leadership
Rizzi’s appointment continues her longstanding commitment to business and community leadership throughout New Jersey.
As President & Partner of Rizco, the New Jersey-based brand-led marketing agency she co-founded in 2000 with her husband, Keith Rizzi, she has spent more than 25 years helping organizations build stronger brands and communications strategies that strengthen market position, drive growth, and create long-term enterprise value.
Rizzi is also active in New Jersey’s business community and serves in leadership and volunteer roles supporting economic development, professional organizations, and community initiatives.
Through the Honorary Commander Program, Rizzi will participate in briefings, tours, meetings, and other activities designed to provide a deeper understanding of the 305th Operations Group, its people, and its global missions.
“I’m looking forward to being a student of the mission,” said Rizzi. “The first thing I’ve learned is that there is an incredible amount happening behind the scenes to make global mobility possible. I’m honored to have a front-row seat and, hopefully, to bring some of what I learn back to the business community.”
