If you had told new recruit Dan Yeomans - a computer maintenance technician - that in 40 years he would rise through the ranks of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) and become its 23rd international president, he would have dismissed you as crazy.

But that's exactly what he did.

He contributes his success to professional organizations such as the AFSA. Yeomans was named Air Force Program Manager of the Year in 1985; served as president of the McChord AFB Chief's group; and was commander of the Air Force Planning and Implementation training program for enlisted personnel.

The retired McChord Field chief master sergeant has written two books and is currently a business professor at Northwest University. He's also a project management consultant for Microsoft.

"I have been very fortunate with a wonderful military career, a great family, an outstanding quality of life and success after service," said Yeomans, who has four daughters, (ages 18 to 39) and has been married for 30 years. "I was able to achieve so much because the Air Force took care of me - and that's exactly what I aim to do in my new role - give back to the military community and everyone who has ever worn, wears or will wear the uniform. I want to pass on a baton with all the bells and whistles to make sure every person gets what (he or she deserves). I am truly honored and humbled that 110,000 AFSA members chose me to lead them."

First on Yeomans' agenda is to find out what works - and what doesn't - at the local level.

"I don't want to throw out the baby with the bathwater," he said. "My goal is to effectively reach out to members and find out what we can do to make things better. I want members to have an end-to-end experience that redefines their definition of value."

Established in 1961, ASFA is a federally chartered, nonprofit organization that represents "the professional and personal interests of active-duty, retired and veterans" - total Air Force - and their families. It hosts such programs as the First Sergeant of the Year, the Airmen Memorial Foundation, the Junior AFROTC Cadet of the Year and the Chief Master Sergeant Air Force Scholarship program. AFSA also acts as an educator to legislators and to members of Congress in Washington D.C. and supports local veteran and military communities through various programs.

"We (lobby) to preserve military compensation and benefits and Servicemembers' overall quality of life," Yeomans said. "From fair compensation to keeping benefits earned through service to supporting solid initiatives, we strive for and represent Airmen and all branches of the military. That's why membership is so important - there's strength in numbers. The more members lend us their power, the greater our voice. We can open doors and more people will listen to what we have to say (on the Hill), internationally, and in local communities."

For information about AFSA and McChord's local chapter 1461, visit www.hqafsa.org.