Butler native guides future of Air Force
Butler native Col. Brian Neff's first memories were watching in disbelief as planes flew over his 4-year-old head at an air show in Sewickley.
It was curiosity in how those planes worked that led him to his current and final step in his military career.
Neff earned a position as a permanent professor and head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Air Force Academy in Colorado.
The president nominates permanent professors, and the U.S. Senate confirms the nominations by vote.
“I'm one of more than 20 other permanent professors who help to guide the future of the academic vision,” Neff said. “To have the opportunity and the responsibility to guide the future of the Air Force, it's just an awesome opportunity.”
Neff, 42, is expected to serve in the position until age 64, the mandatory end date for every permanent professor. He said if he can continue to contribute until that time, he would be pleased, but the world of science advances quickly and aging technology becomes obsolete.
“Internally, I've set my own kind of time frame,” Neff said. “I'll leave when I feel that I'm no longer able to maintain relevance.”
Neff said he plans to focus on numbers. He added engineering is seldom thought of in the same light as military service, and the Air Force struggles to meet its quota each year, often falling between 20 percent or 30 percent short of its goal.
“Our overall mission is to produce the best leaders of character for the future Air Force,” Neff said. “My goal in my department is to meet the demand signal the force is generating.”
Neff's interest in the military and aptitude for math and science carried him through high school and into a career of learning in addition to his service. He said he appreciated elective courses that gave him the freedom to tinker.
“In high school, I was always really passionate about math, and physics was one of my favorite classes,” he said. “I found the exposure at Butler High School was great.”
Neff received a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh through its ROTC program, a school to which he hadn't even applied, according to Kay Neff, his mother.
“I opened it up and I said, 'You may want to check into this,'” she said.
Kay Neff said her son's love of flying was dangerous, but his one deployment to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom was one of the scariest times of her life. She said despite her and her husband's fears, they never stopped believing in their son's abilities and potential.“It was scary, but we encouraged him,” she said. “We encouraged him every step of the way.”Larry Neff, Brian's father, said he served in the Navy, his father served in the Army's 10th Mountain Division during World War II and his father-in-law served in the Air Force.Larry Neff said that while there was a history of service in the family, this was not a case of following in footsteps. He said Brian's mind appeared to be made before anyone had a chance to convince him one way or another.“From the time he was able to walk and talk, he was always interested in the military,” Larry Neff said.Larry Neff said he and his wife couldn't be prouder of their son.“I feel he's already accomplished so much. He's already reached for the stars,” Larry Neff said. “We're bursting at the seam. We're so proud of that kid, it's not even funny.”Neff said he learned about hard work from his family and about work ethic from the different jobs he held during his time in Butler.“The work ethic I obtained through my time in Western Pennsylvania is without a doubt one of the greatest tools I've relied on throughout my life,” Neff said. “From working home construction with my uncles as a young teen through working in the steel mills with my father through college, I was always able to take something of value from the experience.”Neff said he also gained a great appreciation for all skill sets and jobs, even ones that don't rely on a college education.“From trying to keep up with my high school studies while working as a baker at Red Lobster to keeping a focus on safety while working around molten steel during the graveyard shift, every experience was valuable in molding me into the person I am today,” he said.Neff said it's possible he might not return to Butler again, but he cherishes his memories and the opportunity to visit. He said he always appreciated the county's proximity to nature.He said his visits help him refocus, retrace his path and consider the trajectory of his life.“This diversity of thought and experience makes us stronger as an Air Force,” Neff said. “I've done everything in my power to bring a bit of Western PA with me everywhere I go.”
EDUCATION: Bachelor's in electrical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh's ROTC program in 1999; master's degrees in electrical engineering from the New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering, in flight test engineering from the Air Force Test Pilot School, and in military arts and science from Air University; and doctorate in electrical engineering from the Air Force Institute of TechnologyFLIGHT HOURS: Test support 572 hours and combat 292 hours; experience in more than 35 different aircraft typesAWARDS: Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; U.S. Air Force Outstanding Scientist and Engineering Educator for 2015; and four-time recipient of Academic Instructor of Year.
