Houston native Ryan Pace was promoted to colonel in the Arkansas Army National Guard at a Camp Robinson ceremony in early November.
An Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, Pace has served more than 24 years in the Guard, where he has served in a variety of leadership positions throughout his service and is a decorated veteran. He currently is the commander of the 77th Theater Aviation Brigade at Camp Robinson, where he has been in command since Feb. 8, 2015.
During the ceremony Pace talked about the many family, friends and mentors who influenced him throughout his career, along with his faith and values that shape his leadership style.
Pace, who graduated from Houston High School in 1990, is employed by Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he is a helicopter pilot and check airman/instructor. Along with his civilian and military employment, he also owns a cattle farm in Judsonia, Ark., with his wife, Tish, and their three children.