COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo, November 10, 2026
A growing dispute over governance, transparency and the rights of elected directors of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates has prompted a formal request for mediation to avoid potential litigation.
In an Oct. 29 letter to attorneys believed to represent the association's board leadership, retired Army Lt. Col. Jeffrey F. Addicott, a distinguished professor of law at St. Mary's University School of Law, requested structured mediation on behalf of retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, an elected AOG director who also serves as the board's secretary and parliamentarian.
The request follows the board's reported Oct. 16 adoption, by a one-vote margin, of a new Code of Conduct that Walker and other concerned directors contend restricts their ability to communicate with graduates, question board decisions and fulfill their responsibilities to the association and its members.
The controversy follows an unsuccessful July 24 attempt to censure retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, another elected AOG director, whose attorney maintains that the board wrongfully announced publicly a censure that had not legally passed.
Mediation sought to resolve growing dispute
Addicott's three-page letter identifies disagreements over directors' fiduciary responsibilities and concerns about disciplinary actions taken without adequate procedural protections.
The letter requests that AOG directors participate in structured mediation conducted by a trained mediator to resolve the disputes without resorting to court proceedings.
"This is an opportunity for the Association of Graduates to resolve serious governance concerns through professional dialogue rather than litigation," Walker said. "Our objective should be to strengthen the organization, protect the rights and
responsibilities of its elected directors,and ensure that the graduates we represent receive the transparency and accountability they deserve and to which they are entitled."
The mediation request asks the association to respond promptly regarding its willingness to participate.
No lawsuit is identified in the request as having been filed.
New Code of Conduct raises concerns
Central to the latest dispute is the Code of Conduct adopted Oct. 16.
According to Addicott's letter, provisions of the policy restrict negative commentary, prohibit certain public criticism of board members and staff, and require directors to support board decisions in public communications regardless of how they voted or whether the decisions comply with legal requirements.
The letter also identifies provisions limiting directors' ability to use news media, social media or other public forums to oppose adopted board decisions or encourage members to challenge those decisions.
Addicott contends that these restrictions interfere with directors' responsibilities to the association and its members.
Walker said the issue extends beyond individual disagreements among board members.
"An elected director must be able to ask difficult questions, express legitimate concerns and communicate responsibly with the graduates who elected that director," Walker said. "Professional disagreement should not be confused with disloyalty. Our graduates deserve independent judgment from their representatives, not simply unquestioning agreement with board leadership."
The mediation request comes as AOG members prepare for elections and consideration of proposed changes to the association's governing documents in spring 2027.
The letter argues that restrictions on directors' communications could limit information available to graduates as they evaluate candidates and proposed governance changes.
Dispute follows attempted censure of Bishop
The latest development follows months of controversy surrounding the attempted censure of Bishop.
During a July 24 board meeting, a motion was introduced alleging that Bishop violated duties of confidentiality and loyalty and maintained conflicting organizational relationships.
According to a 17-page legal defense prepared by attorney Mike Rose, a 1969 Air Force Academy graduate and Bishop's private attorney, the motion failed to receive the votes required under the association's bylaws and Colorado law.
Rose maintains that the board chair nevertheless publicly announced incorrectly that Bishop had been censured.
The defense also alleges that Bishop was not given adequate advance notice of the charges, access to supporting evidence or a meaningful opportunity to respond before the vote.
"The fundamental issue is whether an elected director can be subjected to disciplinary proceedings without receiving basic procedural fairness," Rose said. "General Bishop was publicly accused of misconduct following a vote that, under the governing rules, did not result in his censure. The accuracy of that record and his right to defend himself from false accusations are matters of considerable importance."
At an Oct. 15 board meeting, Bishop attempted to present his defense but was unable to complete his prepared remarks within the allotted 10 minutes.
When additional speaking time was requested, the board debated a motion to extend his presentation. According to an account provided by Bishop's legal counsel, the motion failed on a 7-7 vote, with two abstentions, after more than 10 minutes of discussion.
Rose said the handling of Bishop's defense illustrates why the broader governance concerns require attention.
"When a board spends more than ten minutes debating whether to allow a director four additional minutes to defend his reputation and achieve accuracy, it raises serious questions about fairness and accountability," Rose said.
Bishop has requested that his formal statement and legal defense be included with the official record of the July 24 proceedings.
Broader questions of leadership and public trust
The Association of Graduates is a separate organization from the U.S. Air Force Academy, but its mission and identity are closely connected to the academy and its graduate community.
The controversy raises questions about how organizations representing military graduates balance board confidentiality, collective governance responsibilities and the rights of elected directors to express differing views.
Rose said the issues should concern graduates and members of the public who expect military-associated organizations to demonstrate the leadership principles they promote.
"The Air Force Academy emphasizes integrity, accountability and leadership by example," Rose said. "Those principles should also guide the Association of Graduates. Fairness, transparency and allowing and respecting differing viewpoints are not weaknesses in an organization. They are essential elements of responsible leadership."
Walker emphasized that mediation offers a constructive alternative to an escalating legal dispute.
"The goal is not to damage the Association of Graduates or the institution we proudly served," Walker said. "The goal is to ensure that the association operates according to its governing principles and remains accountable to its members. Mediation provides an opportunity to resolve these differences professionally and restore confidence in the organization."
Next steps
The Oct. 29 mediation request seeks agreement among AOG directors on the scope of their fiduciary responsibilities, their ability to communicate with association members and appropriate procedural protections when disciplinary allegations arise.
The letter warns that unresolved disagreements could result in litigation seeking judicial clarification of directors' duties and restrictions on actions alleged to interfere with those responsibilities.
Rose said the latest development underscores the importance of resolving the dispute before additional damage is done to relationships within the graduate community.
"This is an opportunity to address legitimate governance concerns before they become a prolonged legal battle," Rose said. "The best outcome would be a fair resolution that protects the rights of directors, preserves an accurate record and strengthens the Association of Graduates for the people it was established to serve."
The association's response to the mediation request was not established by the documents provided for this release.
Media Contacts
Mike Rose
Attorney for Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, USAF (Ret.)
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1969
Brig. Gen. Christopher Walker, USAF (Ret.)
Association of Graduates Board Director
Supporting documents available upon request: Oct. 29 mediation request; Oct. 15 legal defense of Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop.
About Perini & Associates
Perini & Associates is a veteran-owned public relations and marketing firm based in Woodland Park, Colorado. The firm specializes in strategic communications, media relations, crisis communications, digital marketing, and reputation management. For more information, visit www.periniassociates.com. Email: news@periniassociates.com
Source: Pinion Newswire
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