Professionally, CMSAF (Ret) Lefford Fate has led, mentored, and served thousands of military members and their families. He spent nearly 31 years in the US Air Force. Lefford served as Command Chief for the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, SC, and as the lead advisor and mentor for 5,000 personnel in 19 squadrons and tenant units operating 85 F-16 planes. Prior to that post, he served as the Command Chief for the 505th Command and Control Wing in Hulbert Field, FL. He is a past recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with four devices; the Air Force Commendation Medal with one device; the Air Force Achievement Medal/ Meritorious Unit Award; the USAF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and six devices; the Air Force Recognition Ribbon/Numerous Campaign Medals for service in Southwest Asia and the Global War on Terrorism; the SNCO (Senior Non-Commissioned Officer) of the Year; and, the Mental Health SNCO of the Year (Europe). Since retiring from the military, he was the program director for a geriatric mental health program, Director for Health Services for the SC Department of Corrections, and is currently the Director of Support Services for the City of Sumter. He is a best-selling author who co-wrote, along with Jack Canfield, the book Success Starts Today. Even with all these accolades, he states that his greatest accomplishments are being a husband, father, and grandfather.
