Andrew Edwards, Founder, Academic Empowerment Foundation
Chairman and Founder of the Academic Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (AEF)
CFC #91829
Senior Master Sergeant Andrew Eugene Edwards retired from the USAF Air force in l986 after twenty and a half years of honorable service. He is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded numerous of awards and decorations that included the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation. He is a graduate of the Community College of the Air Force, completed the Air Force Command NCO Academy, and the AF Senior NCO Management Academy. He held many high executive level positions during his twelve year career at the Pentagon. He was the Senior Administrative Manager for the Strategic Air Command (SAC), managing the Alaskan Tinker Task Force/Cobra Ball mission at Eielson AFB and within the Alaskan Theater.
Andrew is the chairman and Founder of the Academic Empowerment Foundation, Inc. (AEF) and the former Pigskin Jamboree/Financial Aid Workshop with over one hundred volunteers. In December 1990, he brought together high school senior football players who wanted to attend college, then invited college/university football coaches to meet these student athletes. In twenty five years, over 16,500 high school senior football players have gone to college after attending this event. This event has helped area students to earn over $48 million in financial aid, students grants, and athletic scholarships. Also, Andrew has worked to help over 18,000 area students to attend FREE SAT Prep workshops and classes to enable them to improve their test taking skills and improved their SAT Scores. He has provided over 250 college students with a $250.00 books and supplies grant for the last five years. He has provided financial support to over 490 area high school students who needed funding to travel on a college tours. Andrew has provided for over 25 years of FREE Financial Aid Workshops for parents and guardians to help reduce the stress in completing application for funds.
He is married to retired LT Colonel Bonita D. Edwards, and he has two sons from his first marriage (Michael C .Edwards, and Ronald E. Edwards).
To all of the above, what he is today and ever hopes to be, Andrew gives back to the community and he is thankful for the opportunity to help others.