[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E153]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            HONORING BRIGADIER GENERAL MICHELE K. LaMONTAGNE

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 7, 2018

  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 
to acknowledge Michele K. LaMontagne, who currently serves as Chief of 
Staff for the New Mexico Air National Guard and was recently promoted 
to Brigadier General.
  Brig. Gen. LaMontagne began her military career as a student at the 
U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Right after graduation, she 
set in motion her interest in aircraft and munitions maintenance during 
an officer course at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. When she was 
being commissioned, she had to select the job she would eventually like 
to do. After speaking with officers about the opportunities to lead as 
many people as possible, they recommended maintenance.
  Her assignments, over the last 24 years, have taken her to South 
Carolina, Republic of Korea, Nevada, Colorado and finally Kirtland Air 
Force Base in New Mexico. At each of these bases, she served primarily 
in maintenance operations, eventually becoming a Maintenance Squadron 
Commander and a Wing Inspector General for the New Mexico Air National 
Guard.
  In 2012, Brig. Gen. LaMontagne served as Director of Staff for the 
New Mexico Air National Guard, was promoted to Director of Support, 
Maintenance Group Commander and today serves as Chief of Staff. Her 
responsibilities include planning and executing employees during 
contingency and domestic operations in federal and state emergencies 
and developing positions and recommendations on issues, including 
mission requirements, placement of units and future missions.
  Throughout her career, Brig. Gen. LaMontagne has received many awards 
and decorations including a Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Force 
Commendation Medal, a National Defense Service Medal and a Global War 
on Terrorism Service Medal.
  Brig. Gen. LaMontagne also works as a business coach at Rio Grande, a 
Berkshire Hathaway Company, and specializes in project management, 
people development, human resources management, distribution 
operations, IT Strategy, and many other challenging areas. In both of 
her careers, she insists that the people that depend on her drive her 
to do her best.
  I would like to congratulate Brig. Gen. Michele K. LaMontagne, one of 
very few women who have been bestowed with the rank of Brigadier 
General, for her many years of service to our nation as a member of the 
Air Force and her continued commitment as a member of the New Mexico 
Air National Guard.

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