Before his new position, Everhart was the vice commander for the 97th Air Mobility Wing. He was second in command of the Air Force's First Air Mobility Wing responsible for the formal training of all C-17's, C-5's and KC-135's for active duty, Guard and Reserve aircrews.
As new commander he plans to focus on three key elements.
"I'm going to focus on our mission primarily, as I always do as the wing continues to expand," he said. "I am also going to focus on our people, because we can't do our missions unless our people are satisfied. And a commitment to our community."
According to his biography, Everhart received his commission in 1983 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC. He has served as flight examiner, instructor and various aircrew flying assignments in C-130E, Initial Cadre Joint Readiness Training Center and Initial Cadre C-17A and the C-21A. He served as Air Force aide to the president and as the squadron commander of the 457th Airlift Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD.
Everhart has an extended educational background which includes a bachelor of science in agriculture from Virginia Tech in 1983. He has a master of science degree in business management from the University of Arkansas. He also has a master of science degree in national security strategy from the National War College in Washington, D.C.
He has also received several awards and decorations. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal , Combat Readiness Medal with four oak leaf clusters and a slew of others. He is a command pilot with over 4,000 flying hours in the T-37 B, T-38A, C-130E/H, C-17A, C-21A, C-9A and UH-IN.
The Virginia native grew up with both parents in the medical field. His father is a doctor, who started out as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and his mother was a family nurse practitioner. The family also has a farming background in raising cattle.
"We have a 400 acre farm in Virginia," Everhart said. "We used to raise cattle and some corn. Now we are raising pine trees and show horses."
Everhart replaced Brig. Gen. Mark S. Solo as base commander. Everhart says that he has "big shoes to fill" and that he looks forward to working with the community. When Solo passed the reigns he also passed on some advice to the new commander.
"He told me to continue the mission, continue to take care of our people and continue the commitment to excellence," Everhart said. "...I look forward to doing that."
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