Photo above: 1st Lt Vince Gonillo, Commander, Burlington Senior Squadron (VT-002), Vermont Wing, Civil Air Patrol. Photo Credit: Vermont Wing, Civil Air Patrol.
1st Lt Vince Gonillo has been promoted to commander of the Vermont Wing’s Burlington Senior Squadron (VT-002), according to a statement by Col. Richard Beach, Commander of the Wing. Gonillo succeeds Captain Peter Slocombe, who has been named as Vice Commander of Vermont Wing.
The promotions of two Squadron members were also announced: 2nd Lt Gerald Coleman has been named as Primary Deputy Commander for VT-002; and 2nd Lt Ronald Mitchell has been named Assistant Deputy Commander. Both bring considerable experience in aviation and leadership to their new roles, Col Beach noted.
“Lt Gonillo brings management and IT supervisory capabilities, which, along with his ‘can-do’ attitude, makes him well qualified to lead this active squadron,” said Col Beach.
Lt Gonillo has lived in Vermont for over 30 years. He currently serves as the Soldier & Family Readiness Group Leader, a volunteer position with the Vermont Army National Guard. Until his retirement in late 2019, Gonillo was the Executive Director of Technology in the Essex Westford School District, where he had overseen information technology services since 2003.His tenure there was marked with distinction and included senior IT management positions with the Chittenden Central Supervisory Union. Gonillo volunteered and supported the Vermont Army National Guard 2010 deployment and was awarded the Vermont Commendation Medal. He is an alumnus of the undergraduate and graduate programs at St. Michael’s College.
“This appointment is an extraordinary opportunity to further my community service to the people of Vermont, and to build on the strong record of readiness and professional development established by Capt Slocombe,” said Lt Gonillo. “Like my predecessors, I will be looking to strengthen our growing membership with men and women looking to have a gratifying volunteer career that can combine search and rescue, education as well as information technology, communications, and other skills.”
