TAMPA BAY GRADUATES FROM
THE U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
The Florida Gulf Coast Parents Club is proud to recognize our ten cadets in the Graduating
Class of 2009 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Graduation will be
held on May 27, 2009 with Vice President Joe Biden delivering the commencement address.
Our newest officers call the Tampa Bay area home and have successfully completed the high
standards of a military academy.
The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs is considered one of the top
educational institutions in the country. The Academy currently has 4,500 students comprising
the Wing of Cadets who hail from every state in the union, plus several foreign allied countries.
Admission to the Air Force Academy or any of the U.S. military academies is a full scholarship.
Our graduates have completed an intensive four-year program balancing academics focused on
engineering, a full military regimen, and rigorous physical fitness to complement the needs of
the U.S. Air Force. Their education is combined with strict, professional military training
emphasizing the development of leadership skills. Our graduates will now fulfill their
commitment to the U.S. Air Force in various capacities.
We congratulate our 2009 graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy who hail from the West
Coast of Florida. They are our newest officers in the United States Air Force and our future
military and community leaders.
2nd Lt. Ryan Clisset
2nd Lt. Ryan Clisset is a graduate of Tampa Bay Technical
High School, and Health Academy, Tampa, FL. He obtained
a Bachelor of Science in Economics and graduated with
Distinction in the top 8% of his class. Ryan was Wing Staff
and Group Staff Director for Standards and Evaluations; was
on the Superintendent’s list for excellence in academic,
athletic and military achievement; and has obtained his Jump
Wings. Ryan played for the Falcons Tennis Team. He will
report to Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del
Rio, Texas. Ryan traveled overseas to Japan, South Korea,
Italy, Alaska and Hawaii for summer OPS. He has enjoyed
intramural sports as well as skydiving and snow boarding in
the Rockies. He is the first USAFA graduate from New
Tampa (Tampa Palms).
2nd Lt. Robert Consiglio
2nd Lt. Robert Consiglio, a graduate of Bloomingdale High
School, Valrico, FL, will report for Pilot Training at Laughlin
Air Force Base, in Del Rio, Texas. Rob obtained his Bachelor
of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was
Squadron Commander for Combat Survival Training, Moral
Welfare Recreation Officer for 3 years (Rob organized and
cooked for the football tailgates for Squadron 8), was President
of the Student Chapter of IEEE (Electrical Engineering
Professional Society), obtained his Jump Wings (Skydiving),
Soaring Wings (gliders), has over 50 sky dives and has trained
cadets in Jump School. Rob enjoys cooking and skydiving.
2nd Lt. Matthew Daniels
2nd Lt. Matthew Daniels is a graduate of Tampa Jesuit High
School in Tampa, FL and graduated from USAFA with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. Matt has been
assigned to Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina
for work as a Financial Manager. Matt graduated from the
Air Force Academy Prep School and successfully completed
the demands of the Academy. He played linebacker for the
Prep School and Falcons Football Team. He obtained his
Glider Wings and worked as Assault Course Cadre for three
years. Matt enjoys coaching peewee football and playing
basketball.
2nd Lt. Victor DiTommaso III
2nd Lt. Victor DiTommaso III graduated from
Sarasota High School, Sarasota, FL. Victor or DiTo,
as he is called, earned his Bachelor of Science in
Political Science, came in First in his major, and has a
minor in Russian. He will be earning his Masters
Degree at the John F. Kennedy School of Government
in Public Policy in Cambridge, MA. DiTo will enter
pilot training after obtaining his Masters. He was
Squadron commander of Squadron 14, was on the
Deans List every semester, and was a Rhodes
Scholarship and Marshall Scholarship Finalist. DiTo
has been very involved with the Political Science
Department’s Academy Assembly. He has studied
and done research under various departments in
Germany, Ukraine and Greece. He enjoys intramural
sports and weight training.
2nd Lt. Evan Farren
2nd Lt. Evan Farren is a graduate of Chestnut Hill High
School, Philadelphia, PA. He calls Clearwater, FL home.
Evan earned his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical
Engineering. He will report to Laughlin Air Force Base in
Del Rio, Texas for pilot training. He was the Group 2 Honor
Chairman and earned his Soaring Wings. He was a soaring
instructor pilot and a spin pilot. He was the AM-461
Commander and upgraded the teaching program for cadet
pilots. Evan was on the Superintendents list for four
semesters for excellence in academic, athletic and military
achievement.
2nd Lt. Beth Pershing
2nd Lt. Beth Pershing of Marco Island, FL is a graduate
of Lely High School, Naples, FL. Beth earned her
Bachelor of Science in Biology. She will report to
Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming as a
Force Support Officer. Her future goals include
attending medical school, completing residency as a
trauma surgeon and making the Air Force her career.
During her time at USAFA she instructed and coached
the Taekwondo Club, lead the squadron as element
leader, first sergeant, and director of operations. She
commanded Operations Air Force. Beth led community
service in her squadron and won top squadron for
community service. Beth traveled to Thailand with the
biology department for cultural immersion and
experience.
2nd Lt. Andrew Roberts
2nd Lt. Andrew Roberts, a graduate of Kathleen Senior High
School in Lakeland, FL. Andrew earned his Bachelor of Science
in General Engineering with an emphasis on Aeronautical
Engineering. He has been assigned to Robins Air Force Base in
Warner Robins, Georgia for duties as a Developmental
Aeronautical Engineer 62E1A. His accomplishments at the
Academy include teaching hundreds of cadets to safely shoot an
M-16A2, his Squadron 9 was designated as Outstanding Squadron
in 2006 , and shot Expert at Combat Arms Training and
Maintenance (CATM) (the weapons training course). Andrew
enjoys sporting clays, hiking the mountains, and target shooting.
2nd Lt. Kimberly Robinson
2nd Lt. Kimberly Robinson is a graduate of Palm Harbor
University High School, International Baccalaureate
Program in Palm Harbor, FL. Kim received a Bachelor of
Science degree in Foreign Area Studies with a minor in
Japanese. During her time at the Air Force Academy, Kim
served as a Cadet Falconer representing the Air Force on
public affairs trips all across the U.S. Her excellent
performance both militarily and academically resulted in
her selection as a high ranking member of the Cadet Wing
in the position of Group Director of Safety and also in her
selection to travel to Japan for both language immersion
and for Olmsted Foundation-sponsored cultural immersion
trips. Kim will report to Goodfellow Air Force Base in San
Angelo, Texas to attend Intelligence School this summer,
and she plans to continue her studies in language and
foreign areas throughout her Air Force career.
2nd Lt. Joseph Tomczak
2nd Lt. Joseph Tomczak is a graduate of Durant High
School, Plant City, FL. Joe graduated with a Bachelor of
Science in Political Science, and will attend pilot training at
Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas. He served on
Wing Staff for Public and International Affairs, Group
Staff, and as a Flight Commander at the Academy. He spent
a semester at West Point as an exchange student, and rowed
for the Army crew team. He has enjoyed running and scuba
diving at the Academy. During his time at USAFA Joe has
traveled to 17 different countries including Qatar, Kuwait,
Egypt, Jordan, Britain and Germany.
2nd Lt. Wesley Tubman
2nd Lt. Wesley Tubman, a graduate of Seven
Rivers Christian School, Lecanto, FL received
his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
Engineering. Wes will enter pilot training at
Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma.
Wes was a soaring instructor pilot competing
in many national competitions with aerobatic
demonstrations at various air shows across the
country. He was a part of the 2009 Glider
Aerobatic Team participating in numerous
local and national soaring competitions. Wes
was involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters, and
enjoys snow boarding as well as rock
climbing. He looks forward to serving his
country as a pilot in the Air Force.