Gina McGuiness spent more than 35 years in the public affairs arena, handling highly sensitive and controversial subjects of international, national and California interest, community relations and public information management with the U.S. State and Defense Departments, numerous California government agencies and nonprofit, healthcare and educational organizations. She is an award-winning military journalist and a Vietnam veteran. She holds a pilot’s license, but hasn’t flown in many years. She retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of colonel. She serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Air Force Women Officers-Associated (AFWOA), an organization dedicated to maintaining ties between active and retired women officers and preserving the history and promoting recognition of the role of military women. The organization also lends support to women engaged in education and training programs and sponsors a permanent award at the Air Force Academy.