US Air Force
7th Veteran of the Quarter
Leslie began her military career as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. She was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) in June 1974, and entered active duty as an Air Traffic Control Officer. She served in various supervisory and management positions at Travis Air Force Base, California; Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota; and Friffiss Air Force Base, New York.
Her introduction to the international arena came in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, where she worked from 1982-1985, first as an Aeronautical Information Liaison Officer, and later leading the office responsible for terminal instrument procedures for Department of Defense aircrews operating in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
She was promoted to the grade of Major in 1985. In 1987, she was assigned as US Air Forces in Europe Air Traffic Control Liaison Officer to the Royal Air Force Headquarters for Military Air Traffic Operations at RAF Uxbridge, England. In July 1991, Leslie was transferred to the International Procedures Branch, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Headquarters, Washington, DC, focusing on Asia Pacific issues.
She separated from the Air Force and transitioned from military service into civil service in 1993, continuing her work with the International Procedures Branch. In the following years, she worked both North Atlantic and Asia Pacific regional matters, and supported the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In 1997 she moved to the Air Traffic Services International Staff, and once more turned her efforts fully to the Asia Pacific Region. She served as Acting Deputy Manager for the ATS International Staff and as Acting Manager, ATM Operations Branch.
In May 2006, Leslie transferred to the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Herndon, VA, and assumed duties on the International Operations Staff.
Leslie retired from federal service in November 2008. She was hired by CSSI, Inc. in Washington, DC in December 2008 as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. She continues to work part time from her home in Kissee Mills, Missouri as a government contractor supporting FAA international and oceanic operations.
Leslie has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University (Ohio), and a Masters Degree in Management from Troy State University. She is married to Jim Lupis and has one son, Brian, who lives in Springfield, and a stepdaughter, Michelle, in Tennessee.
To nominate a location Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, stop by any bank location and pick up a form, or talk with any of our bank representatives. Veterans are chosen by a panel of their peers.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!