Melissa Tavilla, WC ’13, was promoted to chief master sergeant in the Tennessee Air National Guard on Dec. 4. The promotion puts Tavilla, a 25-year U.S. Air Force veteran, in exclusive company, since 1 percent of all Air Force personnel ever reach that rank – the highest nonofficer rank in the branch. In her quartercentury career in the military, she has served in active duty, the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard. Currently, she is the human resource adviser for the 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Tennessee. She assists senior leadership on strategic initiatives and personnel development. Tavilla became the office manager in the new physical therapy department at Brenau shortly after she graduated from the Women’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in conflict resolution and legal studies. She is now pursuing a Master of Science in organizational leadership.