22nd Air Refueling Wing member earns spotlight performer

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE, Kan. --  George Maher, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Weapons Safety manager, has been in the Air Force for more than 30 years. Before working as a Department of Defense civilian, Maher was on active duty for 27 years. He has been at McConnell for more than two years. In his free time, the Chicago, Ill., native enjoys spending time with his wife Terasa, and his two daughters McKenna, 17 years old, and Katie, 14 years old. He also enjoys riding his motorcycle, fishing, watching the University of Arkansas Razorback Football and baseball.

Who is the most positive influence in your life and why?
On a personal level, both my mother and my wife are the most positive influence because both have persevered through many of life's hardships to become such positive and caring role models for their children. Professionally, the most positive influence in my life was then-E-4 sergeant, now retired Chief Master Sgt. Roger Jennings, who shaped my career in its early stages by instilling sound core values, direction and an urge to succeed. It just takes that one positive force in an individual's development to set a successful career in motion. I've never forgotten that.

What would you like to accomplish during your Air Force career?
In these difficult economic times, just allowing my career to continue is a sufficient goal for the time being.

Where is the most interesting place you have traveled and why do you feel that way?
I once traveled around South Korea by backpack for two weeks and lived off the local Korean culture. In 1983, that was quite a humbling, eye-opening experience for a city boy from Chicago.

What is your favorite book/ movie and why?
My favorite book is "The Greatest Generation" because it's about my mother and father's and our country's greatest generation up until now. It's tough for me to decide my favorite movie because I've seen so many great movies, but for some reason, "The Killing Fields" always rises to the top of my list. It's a historic view of the horrific events that most people are unaware of and it represents both the most sinister and most inspirational traits in mankind. The main actor in the movie, who was really a real-life doctor, actually lived through and escaped the experience of former Cambodian Dictator Pol Pot's regime, making his portrayal very powerful.

If you have the opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Any combat veteran from World War II, Korea or Vietnam.