Warren County native Jonathon F. Flanders, who volunteered to serve his country more than two decades ago, was selected to lead the Warren County Commission during its Pledge of Allegiance in March.
Lt. Col. Flanders retired as the Reserve Inspector General at the 78th Air Base Wing, Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga. He was responsible for base-wide exercises, inspections, complaints, and congressional inquiries.
Born in McMinnville in 1973, he received his commission as a “blue chip” graduate from Detachment 800 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1997. He served on active duty for 10 years in numerous logistics and transportation roles, as well as Executive Officer Brigadier General Polly Peyer.
Flanders then joined the Air Force Reserves where he served as Battle Captain and other key positions on the Joint Task Force-519 staff. He was also Director of Operations then Commander of the 25th Aerial Port Squadron in the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., prior to his final assignment.
Flanders deployed in support of Operations Allied Force, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, exercises Terminal Fury and Ulchi-Focus Lens, and provided direct support to humanitarian relief operations for Super Typhoon Paka and Operation Unified Assistance in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that wreaked havoc across large swaths of Asia.
During his distinguished career, he received numerous awards and decorations including a Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and Air Force Organizational Excellence Award.
In his civilian capacity, Flanders is president of Botanico, Inc. Botanico is involved in agriculture and horticulture production, sales and services. Specifically, he is involved in interstate commerce as well as international business ventures. He is a certified Master Nurseryman in the state of Tennessee. He is the past president of the Tennessee Nursery and Landscape Association and chair of the Warren County Ag Commission.
