Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services Director Wanda  Wright is the third generation of her family to serve in the U.S. military. She has three decades of military experience. As a 1985 United States Air Force Academy graduate, Colonel Wright began her military career as a Deputy Budget Officer with the Tactical Air Command at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with follow-on assignment to Davis-Monthan AFB as the Budget Officer.

Leaving active duty in 1990, Colonel Wright joined the Arizona National Guard. During the next 21 years, she served in various positions including accounting and finance officer, communications officer, executive officer and, finally, as the Director of Staff for the Adjutant General in Phoenix. Among her proudest achievements was to serve as Air Commander of Operation Jump Start from June 2006 — December 2008 during which she commanded more than 4,000 airmen from 52 states and territories on our Southwest border.

Colonel Wright holds a B.S. in Management from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a

M.B.A from Webster University in South Carolina, a M.P.A. from the University of Arizona and is completing her M.A. in Educational Leadership from Arizona State University.

Colonel Wright's decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Air Force Commendation Medal.