Gerardo “Tap” Tapia

Gerardo “Tap” Tapia is a retired Airman with thirty-one years of active-duty service in the United States Air Force. His background includes various duties in personnel management at base level, major command, the Air Force Personnel Center and a joint duty assignment with Headquarters Alaskan Command.  Before retiring as the Command Chief for Air Education and Training Command, he served as the Command Chief for 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ as well as the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base. 

Upon retiring from the Air Force, Tap joined USAA in their Military Affairs section. He was personally responsible for deepening and sustaining business relationships with senior Air Force enlisted and officer personnel to facilitate USAA’s efforts to be the provider of choice.  He maintained continuous dialogue with influencers through command visits to military installations, speaking engagements, exploitation of military marketing/sponsors opportunities and by supporting military recognition and development programs.  After close to ten years he retired as the Air and Space Force Relationship Director.

Tap holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Occupational/Business Education and an Associate’s Degree in Human Resources.  He is a graduate of the National Defense University’s KEYSTONE Command Senior Enlisted Course, the Center for Creative Leadership, Gettysburg Leadership Experience and Enterprise Leadership Seminar (Darden University).

Tap is married to Alice (36 years) and they have a son (Geronimo) and daughter (Analisa). In his spare time, you can find Tap close to any body of water attempting to extract fish from there.