Our Leadership Team

Ted Painter is the co-founder of

the Armed Forces Retirees Association (AFRA). Ted's veteran advocacy experience began after his retirement from the US Army in 2012, where he served as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer in the Infantry. Ted served at Fort Ord, CA., Fort Bragg, NC., Fort Campbell, KY., Panama, and Iraq. Ted is AFRA's Executive Director and he is a Co-Director of the National Military and Veterans Alliance (www.nmva.us).

John Monahan is the President and co-founder of the Armed Forces Retirees Association (AFRA). John served in the US Air Force as an Airborne Radio Operator in the Ground Engineering Installation Agency Foreign Service from 1960-1964 with the 807th Tactical Squadron (NATO) and went on to serve in the AFR from 1965-1968. In 1974 John joined the US Army and served for 26 years in the Massachusetts National Guard's 26th Infantry Division, retiring as a Sergeant-Major in 2000.

John is an Executive Board member for American Legion post 221 in Bedford, MA. and is a member of the Yankee Division Veterans Association and Disabled & Limbless Veterans, Inc. John has a Masters degree from Lesley University and is a strong proponent for continuing education programs and training for veterans.

Tom Ardita is the Vice President of the Armed Forces Retirees Association. Tom served in the National Guard from 1967-2004. During his nearly forty years of service, Tom served as the Command Sergeant-Major of the Massachusetts Army National Guard (MAANG) Medical Command, as the medical liaison for all military technicians and active Guard-Reserve soldiers in the MAANG, as the medical liaison to the State surgeon for all soldier medical issues throughout the Commonwealth and as a pre-deployment team leader for the MAANG.

Tom is a member of the American Legion and is the commander of the 114th Chapter of the Yankee Division Veterans Association.

James Burton is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Armed Forc

es Retirees Association. James retired from the US Air Force after 26 years and served around the globe in locations such as Lackland, Biggs and Bergstrom AFBs, TX; Sidi Slimane AB, Morocco; Kadena AB, Okinawa; Phan Rang AB, Vietnam; Rickenbacker AFB, OH;

Cam Ranh Bay AB, Vietnam; and Hanscom AFB, MA. After retiring, James relocated to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts where he is an active member of the Bedford community and a member of The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. James is a co-founder of the Armed Forces Retirees Association.