Region Leadership

Col David Roberts

Southwest Region Commander

Colonel David L. Roberts is the Commander of the Southwest Region of Civil Air Patrol, a congressionally chartered organization involved in Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education. He has extensive experience in CAP, including roles as vice commander of the Southwest Region and commander of the Oklahoma Wing. Roberts has held numerous emergency services qualifications and has experience in search and rescue, counterdrug, and homeland security missions. He is a CAP Pilot and holds several master and senior ratings.

Originally from California, Roberts has lived in Oklahoma for 59 years. He is a 1977 graduate of Grove High School and has degrees in Criminal Justice, History, and Theology, as well as multiple computer certifications. He retired from public education in 2017 after 36 years and now works part-time as a Safety Director and aviation instructor for Grove Public Schools. Roberts also ran a taxidermy business for over 20 years and is an ordained deacon and licensed minister. He lives in Grove, Oklahoma, with his wife Becky and has three adult children and five grandchildren.

Col Harriet Smith

Southwest Region Vice Commander

Col Harriet J.G. Smith is a Deputy Commander of the Southwest Region in Civil Air Patrol. She began as a cadet in the New York Wing, earning the Earhart Award and a scholarship for private pilot training. Her prior roles include Director of Administration and Personnel, Southwest Region Chief of Staff, Squadron Commander, and Director of Logistics for the Oklahoma Wing, where she was named Logistician of the Year for 2007. She has been actively involved in cadet programs, emergency services, and multiple disaster response missions, including Hurricane Rita and Operation Gulf Watch. Col Smith holds Master Ratings in Administration, Personnel, Logistics, and Emergency Services, and Senior Ratings in Inspector General and Command. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and has taught in several states. She is married with one daughter, both of whom are CAP volunteers.

Col Robert Allison

Southwest Region Vice Commander

Colonel Allison began his Civil Air Patrol career as a cadet in 1993 with the Little Rock Composite Squadron. He earned the Amelia Earhart Award and held various positions within the Arkansas Wing, including Squadron Commander and Wing Commander. He also served as Director of Emergency Services, Cadet Programs, and Aerospace Education, earning Master Ratings in Cadet Programs and Emergency Services.

In his professional career, Colonel Allison has worked for the Arkansas Department of Transportation for 21 years, currently as the ITS Operations Supervisor. His CAP accolades include the Distinguished Service Award, Meritorious Service Award, and several other honors. He was named Southwest Region Cadet Programs Officer of the Year in 2006 and Senior Member of the Year in 2017. Colonel Allison is also a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, with a degree in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology. He lives with his wife Leslie and their two children, Ryan and Cole, near Cabot.

Col William Schroder

Southwest Region Chief of Staff

Colonel William “Bill” Schroder serves as the Chief of Staff for the Southwest Region of Civil Air Patrol, serving nearly 8,900 volunteers across 100 units in the six-state area. A former CAP cadet, Schroder earned the Amelia Earhart Award in 1976 before attending the USAF Academy. He resumed his CAP career in 2006, holding various leadership roles including commander of Lakeshore Composite Squadron (TX-354), Group 2 Texas Wing, and Texas Wing until May 2024. His emergency service qualifications include Sr. Incident Commander and Sr. Mission Observer, and he earned a Private Pilot certificate in 2017.

Schroder holds multiple specialty track ratings and awards, including the Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Service Award. Professionally, he is a retired IT Director with a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Engineering Management. He also has certifications in Project Management and Emergency Medical Technician. Additionally, Schroder is a Board member of the Rowlett Citizen Corp Council and a Community Emergency Response Team Instructor. He is supported by his family in service, including his wife Major Valerie Schroder and son Captain Edward Schroder, and honors his late son Capt Nick Schroder with a scholarship founded in 2019.