TULLAHOMA AND the surrounding area have nearly 3,000 employees at Arnold Air Force Base, and the base generates over $1 billion in economic impact. Yet, many locals do not know much about what they do in and for our city. Much of the daily work, research, and testing cannot be shared with the public, as it contributes significantly to our national security. However, bridging the gap between the base and the community is a priority for leaders at Arnold.
To this end, Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) created the Civic Leader Program (CLP), a task force of civilians who bridge the gap with senior leadership and address issues the CLP could help solve. They also ensure that airmen and their families are connected to programs available in town and educate civilians about the free tours available at the base. Many people do not take advantage of these tours because they are unaware of this opportunity, but the CLP is working to change that.
Don Wheeler and Allen Potter are members of this program here in Tullahoma, serving as a two-directional bridge between the base and surrounding communities. Arnold also has another CLP member, Ben Craig, in Shelbyville. Wheeler and Potter address local needs here in Tullahoma, Winchester, Manchester, and the surrounding areas.
Wheeler has called Hillsboro home since 1977, and his family’s land predates Woods Reservoir.
“I still have a corner of land there. It goes back to my great-grandfather,” he said.
Potter is the president and CEO of Tullahoma Utilities Authority and vice president of the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, with plans to step into the presidency next year. He is the newest member of the Civic Leader Program.
Wheeler was told about the opportunity by Hope Nunley, the chamber’s executive director in 2024, and started in January 2025.
Potter came on board eight months ago, nominated by Kim Uselton and Mike Dent to fill a vacancy. The two already knew each other through chamber work, which Potter said made the transition easier.
“I was more comfortable joining the program having someone I know and trusted to lean on,” he said.
Arnold Air Force Base generates economic activity across eight surrounding counties and expects significant growth in the coming years.“My opinion is that half of Tullahoma wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that base,” Wheeler said.
“Arnold is crucial to the Tullahoma economy, and we’re fortunate that it’s here,” Potter added.
When the government shutdown hit and Arnold’s contractor workforce — which constitutes 80% of base employees — found themselves without pay or promise of back pay once the government reopened, Potter acted quickly through TUA. His team set up flexible payment plans and refused to disconnect services.
“We waived the fiber internet fee altogether and just gave them the service for free,” he said.
Wheeler’s contributions have recently been focused on the region’s child care shortage, estimated at about 500 slots. Working alongside Anne Hosea-Majors of the Coffee County Industrial Development Board, Tennessee College of Applied Technology Manchester, and local legislative contacts, he is pursuing available land near the base for a future facility and requesting road improvements.
“They have a congestion problem right outside the main gate where Miller’s Crossroad comes in. I’m advocating to get those crossroads relocated into the stoplight so that you don’t have conflicting interchanges just 200 feet apart. We want a childcare facility large enough to help not only the workforce at the base, but also the industrial park close by,” Wheeler said.
He has also devoted considerable time to improving veterans’ access to medical care since joining the Civic Leader Program, so that older veterans do not have to make a long drive to Murfreesboro or Nashville for care they have earned.
Terri Carter, a medically retired veteran, said this advocacy is needed and appreciated.
“Don has taken me in like a little sister ever since I retired from the military in 2004. I think it is great what he does with this program,” she said.
Both men recently traveled to the AFMC Senior Leadership Conference at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and Wheeler has spent time on Capitol Hill meeting with congressional offices on childcare funding and veterans affairs.
“I don’t work alone,” Wheeler said. “It takes all these partners from the community to come in and be a part of what I do.”
Potter agreed, saying that working with the CLP has created opportunities for networking and getting in front of the right people to create positive change.
“It gives me hope for what’s going on in our country and even outside our country with our airmen and our military members,” he said. GN
