FLWG Organization & Leadership
Wing Commander
COLONEL DAVID A. PANZERA is the commander of Civil Air Patrol’s Florida Wing, which is one of the largest wings in the organization with over 4,000 volunteer members in nearly 80 units across the state. Panzera previously served as commander of Florida Wing’s Group 8, which is comprised of five squadrons with over 300 adult and cadet members in Hillsborough and Polk counties. He led these units in fulfilling their responsibilities in CAP’s three primary programs: Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education.
These three program areas are Civil Air Patrol’s greatest contribution to every community and state served by the organization’s selfless volunteers, filling a critical role in Defense Support of Civil Authorities, which includes preserving life, relieving suffering, and providing training support when called upon.
Panzera is a resident of Hernando County. He joined CAP in 2006 when he was in the United States Air Force attending Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, where CAP headquarters is located. While there, the eldest of his five children joined, and thus both of their CAP careers began.
Four of his five children had long Civil Air Patrol cadet careers. Panzera was a squadron commander in the New York Wing, along with having commanded four of New York Wing’s Cadet Leadership Encampments. He served as deputy commander for a fifth encampment and was the U.S. Air Force liaison for yet a sixth New York Wing Encampment.
He served as a pilot in the Air Force for 32 years before retiring with over 6,000 hours in the LC-130H(3) aircraft, a ski-equipped variant of the C-130 Hercules. His Air Force assignments included 2.5 years in South Africa at the U.S. Embassy, tours at New York Air National Guard Headquarters in the J5/7 office and a variety of positions at the 109th Airlift Wing including chief pilot for his squadron and ending as director of the 109th Airlift Wing Program Integration Office. He now has over 2,925 hours as an A-320(1) pilot for JetBlue Airways.
Panzera has a profound passion for Civil Air Patrol cadets, taking every opportunity to help them advance their development as the leaders of tomorrow. He has seen many cadets in his charge go on to amazing civilian and military careers, with most of them directly crediting their time in Civil Air Patrol as the primary reason for their continuing success.
He has been fond of the “challenge and response” approach for all his tenure, often asking cadets “Where are you going?” to which they respond, “All the way, sir!” This is followed by “What are you going to do when you get there?” to which they reply, “WIN THE DAY, SIR!” Panzera fully credits the dedication and devotion and volunteer spirit of Civil Air Patrol’s adult members in making all of this a reality.
Panzera and his wife, Wendy (also a CAP member), live with their two guardian children in Hernando County, with the youngest of their five children also in and out as she finishes her post-high school education efforts.
Email: david.panzera@flwg.cap.gov
Deputy Commander (North): Lt. Col. Jim Minsterl
Email: James.Minsterl@flwg.cap.gov
Deputy Commander (South): Lt. Col. Julio Pastoriza
Email: julio.pastoriza@flwg.cap.gov
Chief of Staff: Lt. Col. Laz Garcia
Email: lazaro.garcia@flwg.cap.gov
Deputy Chief of Staff: Lt. Col. Christian Granda
Email: christian.granda@flwg.cap.gov
Florida Wing Command Non-Commissioned Officer: Chief Master Sgt. Jose Tamayo
Email: Jose.Tamayo@flwg.cap.gov
Florida Wing Command Non-Commissioned Officer Advisor: Senior Master Sgt. Jose Cintron
Email: Jose.Cintron@flwg.cap.gov
