USAFA Class Histories

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE MICHAEL T. CHRISTY Mike Christy concluded a 21-year career in the United States Air Force in 1984, retiring with the rank of Colonel. During his military career, he served in a variety of command and staff positions in the security, intelligence and special operations fields. His roles included: Operations Officer for a classified airborne combat support unit in South Vietnam; Squadron Commander of an intelligence collection and processing unit in Osan, Korea; Wing Commander or the Air Force's first Electronic Combat Wing in Wiesbaden, Germany; Executive Assistant to the Director, National Security Agency; Executive Assistant and Staff Director for the "Long Commission", which investigated the 1983 terrorist bombing of the U. S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon; Military Assistant and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander in Chief Pacific; and Director of Special Plans, Headquarters, USAF at the Pentagon. Following his retirement, Mike was named Vice President and General Manager of BETAC Corporation, in Arlington, VA. He was responsible for leading the development and execution of systems engineering services to the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Agencies. His Division specialized in the areas of security, counterterrorism, special operations, and classified intelligence and communications programs. Beginning in 1988, Mike served for 13 years with Heidrick & Struggles, Inc., the world's leading executive search firm. He founded and managed both the highly successful Tysons Corner, Virginia and Irvine, California offices for Heidrick. He was the Managing Partner of Heidrick's industry-leading International Technology Practice and he was elected to the Executive Committee, the firm's governing body. For 18 months preceding his retirement in 2000, Mike served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LeadersOnline, Inc., Heidrick's internet-based search operation. Mike holds a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy (1963) and a Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Colorado. He is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College and the National War College. Mike and Carmen Christy have been married for 48 years. They are supporters of various charitable organizations in the Orange County, CA area. Mike was a Trustee of the Falcon Foundation at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs; a former member of the Board of Directors of the USAF Academy Association of Graduates; He is a member of the Leadership Circle of the Academy's Sabre Society and is currently President of the Board of Directors of the Admiralty Homeowners Association in Dana Point, Ca. Mike and Carmen have one daughter, Krista, and a six-year-old granddaughter, Sydney.