Lt. Col. Matt Buchholz

Distinguished ROTC Alumnus - Class of 2004 (B.A.)

When U.S. allies and partner nations in Africa and Central Asia need Air Force equipment and supplies, they turn to Lt. Col. Matt Buchholz and his team.

Portrait of Lt Col Matt Buchholz in a military uniform. But that is really an incredible oversimplification. Buchholz, a San Angelo native, is the material leader for the Africa, Levant and Central Asia Foreign Military Sales Branch in the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. As such, he leads a 70-person team responsible for developing and executing 634 foreign military sales programs across 30 countries, valued at over $32 billion, in the Central Command and Africa Command Areas of Responsibility.

Since earning his Air Force commission through Angelo State’s ROTC Detachment 847 in 2004, Buchholz has also held leadership positions at the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office in Washington, D.C., Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, and Air Force Research Lab at Brooks City-Base in San Antonio, as well as during a 2014 deployment in Afghanistan. He credits his time at ASU with giving him the foundation for his career success.

“The leadership opportunities I was afforded as part of the ROTC program and serving in various roles in my fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, allowed me to understand and grow my leadership style,” Buchholz said. “The critical thinking skills I learned in my junior and senior years also helped me learn new ways to look at and solve problems.”

His leadership and problem solving has led Buchholz to many honors and awards, including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal, among others.

“Being recognized as an ROTC Distinguished Alumnus is a highlight of my career.”

And now he’s adding another one. For his outstanding career accomplishments and service to the nation, the ASU Alumni Association has named Buchholz its 2021 Distinguished ROTC Alumnus.

“Detachment 847 has phenomenal alumni that, day in and out, are making a difference in the Air Force,” Buchholz said. “To be nominated and have my name alongside those who have preceded me as recipients of this award is truly an honor. Being recognized as an ROTC Distinguished Alumnus is a highlight of my career.”

Buchholz also fondly remembers the Homecoming bonfires, meeting his wife, Stephanie, a two-time ASU alumna, and getting married at the LeGrand Alumni Center in 2006. He was also following in some pretty big footsteps as his grandparents, Jack and Betty Lieber, are Angelo State alumni, as is his brother, Doug, now an Air Force colonel stationed at Scott AFB, Ill.