Pete Stiglich is a native of California. He was born in Los Angeles in 1953 into a typical middle class family. A few years later, his family moved north to the Bay Area where his father worked for United States Steel Corporation (USS) and served in the Air Force Reserves based out of Travis AFB. Around 1963, the Stiglich family headed east to the 'Steel City', where USS had opened its new Pittsbugh, PA headquarters.
While in Pittsburgh, Pete completed junior and senior high school and attended Slippery Rock State College, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Upon graduation in 1975, he was hired by the Moon Area School District in Coraopolis, PA to teach 8th and 9th grade speech and English. He also served as the school's forensics coach and head baseball coach.
After completing 3+ years of teaching, Pete decided to enter the United States Air Force to serve his country. He attended Officer Training School at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. During his very successful Air Force career, Pete developed extraordinary leadership and management skills in numerous command positions.
Pete's primary field of expertise was major weapon system acquisition. In this capacity, Pete conscientiously represented the American taxpayer in extensive and complex dealings with major aerospace defense contractors, including E-Systems, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell, Brown and Root, and Loral Corporation. His success in these endeavors was recognized by steady promotion, allowing him to eventually achieve the rank of full colonel.
During his military career, Pete completed his Masters of Science Degree in Management and Human Resources from Abilene Christian University.
Overseas tours included serving as a United Nations (UN) Military Observer in Cambodia in support of a UN-sponsored peace accord and to Bosnia/Croatia/Hungary in support of NATO operations. Both locations were classified as hostile fire zones.
He retired from the Air Force in 2006 after 26 years of dedicated, honorable service to his country.
His military decorations are many and include the Legion of Merit, three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, three Joint Service Commendation Medals, three Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals, two Joint Service Achievement Medals, Air Force Achievement Medal, NATO Medal, two United Nations Medals, Cambodian Medal of Reconstruction (foreign medal presented by the Cambodian Prime Minister), and the Global War on Terrorism Medal.
His military awards include the Defense Logistics Agency's Team Performance Award in 1997, Headquarters Strategic Air Command's Outstanding Contracting Officer of FY88, Air Education and Training Command's Best Contracting Officer in 2000, and Air Education and Training Command's General Thomas P. Gerrity 2000 Award.
Upon retirement from the Air Force, Pete returned to his ranch in Cottonwood, CA where he began to accomplish numerous ranch projects and become an active volunteer within his community.
Pete's a parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Anderson and actively supports the All Saints Episcopal Church Outreach Ministry in Redding. He's also a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1934, Redding, CA, the Military Officers Association, and the Air Force Association.
Additionally, Pete is a member of the National Rifle Association, the California Gun Owners Association, the California Republican Assembly, the Redding and Red Bluff Republican Women's Federated (Associate), Friend of Anderson Rotary, and the Shasta County Republican Central Committee.
And finally, other volunteer activities include the Northern California Veterans Cemetery Board of Directors, Cottonwood Community Park Board of Directors, Legislative Liaison for Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council, and Founder of Friends of Reading Island Park.
