Title: Retired Colonel
Company: U.S. Air Force
Location: Goodlettsville, Tennessee, United States
Steven W. Winters, Retired Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Government and Military Service.
With a distinguished career spanning over 40 years in the military and federal government, Col. Winters has demonstrated unwavering commitment and expertise in space operations and public service. His journey began with his graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, earning his commission as a second lieutenant in May 1984. Over the course of nearly three decades in the U.S. Air Force, Col. Winters held over 15 different assignments and rose to senior leadership roles.
Following his retirement from active duty on January 31, 2011, Col. Winters transitioned into federal civil service roles that further leveraged his leadership experience. He worked as an operations manager for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee in Nashville, Tennessee, from 2011 to 2012. In this capacity, Col. Winters managed operational activities within the federal judiciary system before moving on to serve veterans.
From 2015 until his retirement on December 31, 2025, Col. Winters worked with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for a decade. He began as a veteran service representative before advancing through positions as a management analyst, assistant supervisor and ultimately team supervisor. In these roles, Col. Winters supported veterans’ access to benefits while applying his analytical skills honed through years of military service.
Col. Winters is also an accomplished musician who has remained active in community life after retiring from federal service. He plays trumpet with several local ensembles, including Robertson County Community Band and Keeton Community Band, performing jazz music throughout the year at various events.
In one of his most notable positions while serving his country, Col. Winters served as the vice commander of the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California from 2008 to 2010. In this capacity, he was the second-in-command at the base and acted as launch decision authority for all launches from the West Coast launch range. Col. Winters oversaw authorization for seven types of launches during his tenure, making critical final decisions that directly impacted national security and space operations.
Earlier in his career, during Operation Desert Storm, Col. Winters was a captain and crew commander at a missile-warning site. He played a pivotal role in detecting and reporting approximately one-third of Scud missile launches from Iraq, relaying vital information to the North American Aerospace Defense Command. This intelligence was instrumental in supporting the defense of Israel and Saudi Arabia by aiding Patriot missile battery operations.
From 2003 to 2006, Col. Winters was stationed in Washington with the U.S. Nuclear Command and Control Support Staff. His responsibilities included monitoring and assessing the health of the nuclear command and control system and overseeing exercises and training related to the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment Network. Notably, Col. Winters contributed a chapter on this network for a report commissioned by former National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft. This report was submitted to senior defense officials for review and led to recognition for his efforts.
Throughout his military service, Col. Winters also held roles such as Air Force Space Command chair at Air University. Previously, he excelled as the chief of global space operations division at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, as the chief of the missile warning operations branch at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, as a section chief for strategic warning systems with U.S. Space Command, as a satellite operations crew commander with the 3rd Communications Squadron, and, among earlier assignments, as a planner analyst with the 1st Satellite Control Squadron.
Foundational to his success has been Col. Winters’s education. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree conferred by virtue of commissioning requirements, he continued his studies by obtaining a Master of Arts in space systems management from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1988. Years later, Col. Winters returned to college, obtaining a master’s degree in global strategic studies from Air War College at Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2003. Further enhancing his qualifications is an executive leadership certificate awarded by Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, in 2011, an achievement that complemented his transition into high-level civilian management positions.
Col. Winters remains active as a member of The American Legion. He also supports his community through participation in local humane society initiatives, reflecting a broader commitment to community welfare.
Recognition for Col. Winters’ contributions includes numerous accolades, such as Company Grade Officer of the Year for two consecutive years, a Legion of Merit, a Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster and a Defense Commendation Medal. He attributes much of his success to intrinsic motivation instilled early by family influences, including his father’s naval service during World War II and his older brother’s tenure as an airman during Vietnam.
What distinguishes Col. Winters is his relentless pursuit of continuous learning. He approaches each challenge with openness to new ideas and perspectives while maintaining dedication through adversity, a combination that has earned him respect among peers across sectors. Looking ahead, Col. Winters has expressed interest in civic engagement through potential involvement in local government roles, such as city commissioner or supervisor, where he hopes to apply insights gained from global assignments toward community improvement initiatives. As part of his ongoing commitment to education and growth, Col. Winters is considering additional advanced studies, possibly pursuing another master’s degree or even a doctorate focused on organizational or executive leadership.
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