Steve Dudley, U-Haul Vice President of Retail Sales, has been selected by Luke Air Force Base to be part of the 56th Fighter Wing Honorary Commander Program.
Dudley was named an Honorary Commander for the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron (56 LRS) and has been paired with Lt. Col. Tyner Apt-Hill, commander of the squadron.
The appointment carries personal significance for Dudley.
“I come from a military family,” Dudley stated. “And U-Haul itself was founded by veterans. While I have never served, I’ve always respected the commitment that comes with serving our country, which makes being welcomed into the Air Force family a special experience for me.”
The Honorary Commander Program pairs local business and civic leaders with commanders across the 56th Fighter Wing. Participants serve two-year terms learning about Luke AFB’s mission and Airmen firsthand while the base’s commanders gain a closer look at the community around them.
“The 56th Fighter Wing wants to continue to build mutually beneficial relationships based on trust with community leaders,” Col. Nicholas Ihde, 56th Fighter Wing commander, said. “The Honorary Commander program is integral to that mission. This program pairs community leaders with unit commanders for a two-year immersion, where they will exchange ideas between their professions, and receive unparalleled access to behind-the-scenes base operations. It’s an opportunity to build a lasting, supportive partnership between the Air Force and our community.”
Dudley was inducted at the Honorary Commanders’ reception and induction ceremony on Sept. 25 at Luke AFB.
Noble Missions
Dudley works at the U-Haul Midtown Campus in Phoenix, which has been home to U-Haul International headquarters since 1967. Founded in 1945 by a WWII Navy veteran and his wife, U-Haul allocates a portion of its community support for nonprofits that honor and assist veterans.
“I was surprised by just how many parallels there are between U-Haul and the 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron,” Dudley continued. “We may have very different missions, but both organizations depend on logistics, transportation, fleet management, supply chains, readiness and, most importantly, people.
“At U-Haul, our responsibility is to make sure customers have the equipment and resources they need for moving and storage, while the 56th LRS has the critical responsibility of making sure Airmen have what they need to accomplish their mission. I’m looking forward to becoming immersed in their mission, meeting the Airmen who make that mission possible, and developing the kind of lasting relationships this program is built around.”
Dudley has served as VP of Retail Sales since 2014. He joined U-Haul in 2001 as a repair shop parts specialist in Tempe and went on to work in Purchasing at the U-Haul Technical Center; with the U-Haul Web Sales team; and as Manager of Boxes and Moving Supplies before accepting his current role.
Dudley lives in Mesa, Ariz., with his wife, Marie, and their two golden retrievers, Cooper and Scout. Outside of work, he is an avid golfer, enjoys traveling and likes keeping up with new technology and how it is evolving. He is continuing his education through Grand Canyon University, where he is studying advertising and marketing.
