Feightner named newest Vance Partner in the Sky

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Mary Feightner, an Enid civic leader and active supporter of Vance AFB, was recently named a Partner in the Sky by the former commander of the 71st Flying Training Wing.

"Naming Ms. Feightner a Partner in the Sky is the commander's way of recognizing her continuing support of Vance that goes above and beyond," said Bob Farrell, Vance's Chief of Community Relations. Ms. Feightner is one of seven who currently hold the title of Partner in the Sky, a life-time appointment, he said.

Only the 71st Flying Training Wing commander can appoint a Partner in the Sky. Col. Chris Nowland selected Ms. Feightner and announced her appointment at a social event prior to departing Vance in late May.

Ms. Feightner's support of Vance is diverse. She works extensively on the Enid Chamber of Commerce's Enlisted Appreciation Night, held annually at the Vance Collocated Club.

Since 2002, Ms. Feightner has recruited local sponsors for 104 of Vance's Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training classes. The class sponsorship program fosters mutual involvement between the Enid community and Vance's student pilots.

Ms. Feightner supports the annual summer camp held at Vance, Camp Tomahawk, which joins local Enid residents, businesses and base volunteers to provide a summer camp to boys and girls who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend a camp.

She is also involved with a variety of community organizations. Ms. Feightner has been a member the Air Force Association since 1998 and currently serves on the board of local Chapter 214 as secretary.

The Air Force Association is an independent, nonprofit, civilian education organization promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the role it plays in the security of the nation.

"Mary Feightner has been a very active member of the Air Force Association for many years," said George Pankonin, the AFA vice president of leadership development at both the local and state level. "She was named Oklahoma Person of the Year at the 2005 Oklahoma State AFA Convention. The national AFA has also recognized her contributions," Mr. Pankonin said. "She was one of only 10 people to receive a Presidential Citation at the 2007 National Convention in Washington, D.C."

She has been active in the North Central Division of the March of Dimes and was named the Woman of Achievement in Business in 1988, and the Woman of the Year in 1989.

Ms. Feightner has worked for 28 years in the regional banking industry. She has served as the Enid Chamber of Commerce Ambassador to the Northwest Oklahoma Bankers Association since 1974, and is currently the secretary and treasurer for the NOBA, a position she has held since 1976.

She is a member of the Enid Chapter of the Grand Order of the Eastern Star, the largest fraternal organization in the world to which both women and men may belong.