Col. (Ret.) Christine Holliday ’91 has always been a leader. In addition to Leader being her maiden name, she experienced many leadership opportunities throughout her time as an Air Force Academy cadet, active duty officer and reservist.

“If it wasn’t for USAFA, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she says. “There are so many cool things I’ve been able to do in my career because of the Academy.”

As a cadet, Col. Holliday was a member of the Cadet Chorale, performing a solo in front of President George H. W. Bush. Later, as a C-141 pilot, she flew to every continent except Antarctica. She also was a lead formation pilot supporting the 82nd Airborne Division as it trained for airdrops.

Col. Holliday and her spouse, Tim, are paying homage to the Academy’s role as a leadership laboratory with a Hotel Polaris room sponsorship. The support includes a plaque outside room 919 — “91 forward and backwards, Bold Gold!” Col. Holliday says. They see the hotel as a gateway for future cadets and their families to learn about and be inspired by the Academy and its mission. 

Situated outside the Academy’s North Gate entrance, Hotel Polaris is slated to become an asset of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation once the construction debt is paid off, which the Holliday gift is helping to accelerate.

Their plaque outside room 919 is also supported by Jersey Mike’s. Tim Holliday is the franchisee for all Jersey Mike’s restaurants in Colorado Springs, Fountain, Monument and Pueblo. He saw the giving opportunity as a way to support the Academy while also promoting name recognition for his business.

“All of the things in our lives come back to the Academy and Christy’s education,” Tim Holliday says.

Christine Holliday worked for Delta Air Lines while serving in the Air Force Reserve. She was able to use the company’s matching gift program to add even more to their Academy support, and they recommend that other donors take advantage of their company’s matching gift program, if it offers one. Find out if your company participates.