Richard Burpee

Richard A. Burpee is Senior Vice President of Economic Development and Director of Aviation and Aerospace Development for The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. Before joining the chamber, General Burpee was Vice President for Development and Interim Vice President for Administration at the University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Oklahoma.

Burpee is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Retired Officers Association, Washington, D.C., and a member of the Board of Directors, Arvest United Bank; Board of Directors, Baptist Medical Center; Board of Trustees, Kirkpatrick Center; Board of Directors and Executive Committee, McCall Chapel School; Chairman, Board of Directors, Oklahoma County Industrial Authority; and Board of Directors, Donna Nigh Foundation.

Prior to his retirement from the Air Force in March 1990, General Burpee was the Commander of the 15th Air Force with responsibilities for managing one half of the forces in the Strategic Air Command. Previously, he served as the Director of Operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff responsible for directing US military forces worldwide.

He served in Air Force Headquarters in the Pentagon with extensive experience in strategic planning, operations and budgeting. He commanded the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center from 1983 to 1996. Earlier, he acquired extensive operational experience as a pilot and commander in fighter and bomber units, including command of the 509th Bomb Wing and the 19th Air Division.

General Burpee has flown over 11,000 hours, including 336 combat missions in F-4 aircraft in Vietnam. During his Air Force career, he was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with cluster, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Bronze Star and Air Medal with 14 oak clusters.

General Burpee is a graduate of the University of Omaha (BA), George Washington University (MPA), and the Advanced Management Program for Executives at the University of Pittsburg. Additionally, he is a graduate of the National War College, Air Command and Staff College and the Squadron Officers School.