Conference Staff
This years conference theme features the northern lights. The hues of blue and pale green that detail the Aurora Borealis capture best this years CAP theme which is “Lighting up the Future in the Ohio Wing Civil Air Patrol.” Your 2024 OHWG Conference Staff whose mission is to make your experience at the 2024 Conference an outstanding experience are as follows:
Kimberely Hughes, Lt, CAP
Officer in Charge (OIC)
The OIC duties include communicating with the conference staff to make sure all needs of the CAP conference are met. The OIC is responsible for overseeing all event planning, theme selection, layout of the conference, breakout session schedule, securing presenters, and organizing all special events and ceremonies of the venue to maximize efficiency of the event.
Kimberly Hughes, Lt, CAP joined CAP in November 2020 after her third child had also joined CAP. Lt Hughes spoke multiple times with different senior members and thought she would enjoy being part of the team that could utilize her outside skills within the program. In addition to several roles at the unit level, Lt Hughes has been active within the Ohio Wing on several committees and in the following Ohio Wing events:
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2023 OHWG Conference Cadet Programs Coordinator
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2023 OHWG Encampment Deputy Commander for support
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2022 OHWG Encampment Assistant Health Services Officer
Lt Hughes is the mother of three teenagers and a full time Social Worker/Victim Advocate/Medical Forensic Interviewer. Lt Hughes currently works for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Portage County.
In her free time, Lt Hughes also enjoys traveling and spending time with her children. Her goal in life is to visit all 50 states; however, she finds that she spends most of her time in Tennessee. Lt Hughes also enjoys spending time with her dog named Rolly and has a fish named Goldie.
James Spradling, Lt, CAP
Assistant Conference Officer in Charge (COC)
The role of the Assistant COC is to assist with any conference planning tasks as directed by the Conference OIC.
Lt Spradling is a private pilot and aircraft owner, also has Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics license along with the Inspection Authorization. Lt Spradling has been a CAP member since 2020 and is the Squadron Commander, Logistics Officer, Unit Alert Officer, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. Lt Spradling is also a UAS Mission Pilot, Ground Team Leader, Urban Direction Finder, Aerial Photographer, Mission Observer and Mission Scanner.
Josh Senefeld, FO, CAP
Administrative Coordinator
As the Administrative Coordinator for the OHWG conference, FO Senefeld oversees all aspects of the finance, registration and payment, and graphic design of printed and purchased materials for the conference.
Since joining in 2016 as a cadet, FO Senefeld transitioned to the senior side in 2022 and has since held positions from the unit level to the wing level. At the group level, he serves as the executive officer of Group 1. At the wing level, he serves as the recruiting resource officer and communications licensing officer. FO Senefeld has also served on staff for three Ohio Wing Encampments. For much of his CAP career, Senefeld has focused on emergency services and has been involved in many different emergency services events and opportunities.
Outside of CAP, Senefeld is a recreation management student at Ohio University, with a minor in business analytics, he works as a student safety technician for the Department of Environmental Health and Safety at the university and is the president of the Ohio Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta. Senefeld is an avid amateur radio operator and enjoys hiking, camping, and coffee!
Maj Justin Trager
Banquet Coordinator
As a banquet coordinator, Maj Trager is in charge of coordinating the food and beverage at the conference center.
Maj Trager joined CAP in 1992 as a cadet obtaining the rank of C/Capt. He joined the United States Air Force in 1997 and served with the 88th SFS at Wright-Patterson AFB.
In 2009, Maj Trager joined CAP as a Senior Member with the Licking County Composite Squadron ultimately serving as Squadron Commander there from October 2013 to 2016. Maj Trager is currently the Group VIII Commander, serving the five units within the group. He is a Ground Team Leader and Ground Branch Director.
Maj Trager has held a staff position at four OHWG Conferences.
Angelika Farina, Capt., CAP
Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
The role of the PAO is to promote the Civil Air Patrol's national importance at the conference, safeguard the image and assets of CAP, and strengthen relations with members, enabling the growth of the organization.
Capt Farina joined the CAP in July 2018 and has served in a public affairs role at both the unit level and with the Ohio Wing. Capt Farina served as the 2023 OHWG Encampment PAO.
Capt Farina is a FAA certifed UAS pilot and a Florida licensed professional geologist. Capt Farina is President of an environmental consulting business that she started in 1997. Capt Farina also provides support to the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (CHCA) as an emergency on-call substitute teacher from grades PK2 to 6th. Recently, Capt Farina became a licensed Ohio real estate agent.
In her spare time, Capt Farina is an avid marksman (high power and rimfire) and volunteer rimfire rifle instructor with two non-profit organizations in Ohio to promote marksmanship. Capt Farina has coordinated and has been the activity/safety officer for several 1-day and 2-day marksmanship training events for squadrons throughout the OHWG. Capt Farina is a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) Range Safety Officer (RSO) and a certified Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Level I Range Officer and CMP Level II Range Officer (Highpower and Pistol).
Lt Col James Himes, CAP
Portrait Photographer
Lt Col Himes joined CAP in March 1989. Lt Col Himes has provided professional quality photos for the last three OHWG conferences to include providing a high-quality photo for anyone to use in eServices as well as military professional portraits for members to frame. Lt Col Himes also conducted numerous PA classes and seminars on Professional Development weekends and as breakouts during the OHWG conferences.
Lt Col Himes has also been the PAO for the National Cadet Competition providing high quality photos. He also provided professional quality photos for the 2013 to 2019 OHWG encampments and mentored the cadet encampment PA staff during those years.
Cadet Ken, CAP
C/Assistant Public Affairs Officer (PAO)
Cadet Ken has been an active participant in CAP for many years and when called upon attends CAP events throughout the United States.
Whether it be a conference or other event, Cadet Ken is an outstanding CAP ambassador encouraging our youth to become dynamic citizens and aerospace leaders.
Cadet Ken adds personality to our brand. He is a friendly cadet and surely draws attention to himself where ever he goes.
Blake Murray, Lt, CAP
Safety Officer
The role of the Safety Officer is to oversee the safety plans and program for the conference leading up to and through the three day event. Lt Murray serves as the point of contact to the Conference Director for all Safety related matters.
LT Murray is originally from Norco, CA and serves as the Assistant Director of Safety for the Ohio Wing along with being the Safety and Transportation Officer at his home Squadron. Lt Murray started in CAP in September 2021 as a Senior Member with GLR-OH-157, Licking County Composite Squadron. Lt Murray is a qualified TMP and Mission Scanner within the Wing having also served as Assistant Safety Officer for the 2023 OHWG Encampment and as Commandant of Cadets for the 2023 GLR Advanced Flight Training Academy.
Outside of CAP Lt Murray is an Atmospheric Science student at The Ohio State University and will graduate as a USAF pilot select in May of 2024.
