Antonio J. Pineda

Former National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol Maj. Gen. Antonio "Tony" Pineda Jr. began his Civil Air Patrol career as a member of the West Broward Composite Squadron in 1988.

Pineda completed all levels of the CAP professional development program, including the Paul Garber, Grover Loening, Charles Yeager Aerospace Education and Gill Robb Wilson awards. He attended both the Southeast Region Staff College and the National Staff College. He is also a graduate of the National Commanders Course. On Aug. 6, 2007, the Civil Air Patrol Board of Governors suspended Pineda for a period of up to 180 days. CAP vice commander Brig. Gen. Amy S. Courter assumed the duties of the national commander. On Oct. 2, 2007, the CAP Board of Governors voted 10-1 to remove Pineda as national commander.

Profession Law Enforcement Career
Pineda began his professional career in 1972 as a police officer and later a detective with the Hollywood, FL Police Dept. In 1980, he became a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and was later appointed a Senior Agent. As a special agent with the FDLE, he was a special task force leader dealing with youth gangs. He was a supervisor of numerous special investigation teams and has served as the agent in charge of security for Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles. During the Governor’s Conference in Miami, Pineda was assigned as the agent in charge of security for the governor of Georgia.

Education

 * Associate of Science - Police Science and Criminology, Miami Dade College
 * Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Florida International University
 * FAA Private Pilot’s license

Civil Air Patrol Career
1988-1989: Joined CAP

1989-1996: Group commander, South Florida

1996-1998: Florida Wing vice commander

1998-2001: Florida Wing commander

2001-2004: Southeast Region commander

2004-2007: National Commander of the Civil Air Patrol