Before he could drive a car, Col. Joe Winter ’00 was flying planes. He joined the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet in high school and remained active while he was a student at St. Thomas Aquinas College. This was the beginning of his long and dedicated career of service and inspired his love of flying. In 2008, Joe officially joined the United States Air Force. Joe was recently promoted to the grade of Colonel at the end of June.
As Commander of the 175th Mission Support Group, Joe leads more than 450 Airmen across six diverse squadrons responsible for force support, logistics readiness, civil engineering, communications, security forces, and contracting. He notes: “My team ensures the 175th Wing has the people, infrastructure, resources, and support necessary to execute its federal and state missions. In addition to overseeing daily operations, I focus on developing future leaders, building resilient teams, and preparing the organization for the wing’s transition to a cyber-focused mission while ensuring we remain ready to respond anytime our nation or the State of Maryland calls.”
Joe shares that St. Thomas Aquinas College has been a constant source of inspiration throughout his life, and STAC provided the foundation that shaped him as a leader and a person. He is a very involved alumnus and a member of the College’s Board of Trustees: “The College’s commitment to educating the whole person and its core values of respect, integrity, justice, and service instilled in me the importance of leading with character, serving others before yourself, and making decisions grounded in ethics and compassion. Those lessons have remained with me throughout my military career and continue to guide how I lead organizations, mentor others, and serve my community. It is an incredible honor to remain connected to STAC as an alumnus and trustee, giving back to the institution that helped shape who I am today.”
When thinking about advice he would give to students beginning their college journey at STAC, Joe shared: “Go all in. College is about so much more than earning a degree it’s about discovering who you are and who you can become. As a first-year student at STAC, I took a chance and became involved both inside and outside the classroom. I ran for freshman class president, earned the support of my classmates, and had the opportunity to serve in student government. That experience challenged me, built my confidence, and sparked a passion for leadership that has influenced every chapter of my life since. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, raise your hand, and take on opportunities that stretch you. You never know which experience will become the defining moment that shapes your future.”