Some people retire and slow down. Mike Battaglino is not one of those people.
After 21 years serving the Department of the Air Force — 8.5 years on active duty followed by 12.5 years in civil service, primarily in aircraft maintenance, logistics, and education and training — Mike officially retired at the end of March 2026. But rather than stepping back, he stepped into two of the most consequential roles in the Wichita Falls community: City Councilor and President & CEO of the Sheppard Military Affairs Committee (SMAC).
A “Wild Idea” That Became a Calling
It started, by Mike’s own admission, with a wild idea.
In 2022, when District 4 City Councilor Tim Brewer chose not to seek re-election, Mike decided to throw his hat in the ring. He won the election in 2023 and has spent the last two years helping oversee a city with a $250 million annual budget and more than 1,100 employees. His focus has been straightforward: strengthen community partnerships, improve quality of life, and drive economic development.
As a councilor, Mike fielded pointed questions from constituents on two hot-button issues — data centers and the future of Sikes Center Mall.
On data centers, he’s heard the concerns, and the biggest one is water use. His message is clear: the city has not been approving data centers that don’t have water recapture and reuse systems in place. Those that do qualify consume only the water equivalent of roughly five households per day. And the city isn’t rubber-stamping everything — it recently rejected a rezoning request for a data center that didn’t meet the bar.
On the mall, there’s no done deal yet, but there is momentum. Developers have expressed interest in partnering with the city to purchase the property and surrounding acreage, with development plans that align with the city’s vision — including the possibility of a new MSU stadium on a portion of the land. Mike is optimistic, though patient: a realistic timeline puts a sale to a developer a few years out.
Taking the Helm at SMAC
When longtime SMAC President Glenn Barham retired, Mike was the natural successor. He now leads the nonprofit’s mission to advocate for and support Sheppard Air Force Base, which represents nearly 40% of the local economy — a figure that makes clear just how much Wichita Falls and SAFB are bound together.
So what exactly does SMAC do? Mike explains it plainly.
Federal law prohibits Sheppard AFB from directly engaging with congressional staff on its own behalf. Like most military installations across the country, the base needs a civilian advocate — someone who can carry its priorities to local, state, and national leaders, and speak on behalf of what base leadership actually needs and wants. That’s SMAC.
Flying to Washington: Forty Minutes That Matter
One of Mike’s first major acts as SMAC President was the organization’s annual trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with Pentagon leadership. The centerpiece of that trip was a forty-minute meeting with the Air Force Chief of Staff — the most senior uniformed officer in the entire Air Force.
Forty minutes doesn’t sound like much. But in that window, Mike and his delegation were able to share the full story of what the Wichita Falls community does to support Sheppard AFB. The Chief of Staff’s staff was visibly taking notes. They were, by Mike’s account, astonished.
Among the highlights: what Midwestern State University does for the base, including military scholarships the institution provides. The reaction? “They thought that was incredible.”
Before the meeting wrapped up, the delegation extended an invitation to the Chief of Staff to attend SMAC’s Annual Banquet in October. The Chief of Staff won’t be able to attend personally, but his office has committed to sending a representative — and that conversation is actively being worked out.
Why do these trips matter so much? It comes down to one simple principle: senior Air Force leaders need to put eyes on the facility. Sheppard currently has infrastructure needs — a new Civil Engineering Training Complex, an operations building, and updated dormitories — that represent more than $100 billion in required investment. Getting that money allocated requires working through the House, the Senate, and the appropriations committee to get an authorization signed and the funds placed into the defense budget. When senior officials have personally seen the facility and understand the needs, that advocacy carries far more weight.
Fingers crossed, Mike says, that the funding comes through.
What SMAC Can Do That the Air Force Can’t
Beyond advocacy, SMAC fills another critical gap. There are many things the Air Force simply cannot use appropriated funds for — and that’s where community support becomes tangible. SMAC can obtain permission to donate items directly to the base: furniture for dormitories, equipment, and other quality-of-life improvements that don’t fall within the federal budget.
It’s not just practical. It’s a signal. Every donated item is proof of how deeply a community values its military neighbors.
Building a Bigger Presence
Mike’s vision for SMAC isn’t just about maintaining what’s already working — it’s about growing the organization’s reach and visibility. He’s focused on building a stronger social media presence, including a Facebook page, to tell SMAC’s story more broadly and keep the community informed and engaged.
He’s also planning to attend the Association of Defense Communities Conference, where he’ll connect with Military Affairs Committees from across the country to learn what other communities are doing well — and identify anything Wichita Falls can adopt or improve upon.
Currently, SMAC’s two flagship events are the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Committee — where NATO members convene annually to map out the coming year’s training program — and the Annual Member Banquet, a celebration for the community partners who make SMAC’s work possible. Both events are free to members, a way of giving back to those who give so much.
Funding for SMAC comes through a partner program that has been in place since 2005, sustained by organizations and families who have quietly supported the mission for two decades. As for fundraisers — those are a future conversation, to be shaped by need when the time comes.
The Athlete Behind the Advocate
If Mike’s professional schedule sounds relentless, it fits with who he is outside of work. He’s a competitive strongman and endurance athlete, someone for whom discipline and resilience aren’t just buzzwords — they’re a way of life.
He’s also a husband and father. He and his wife Crystal are raising their two children, Ella and Liam, in the community he serves every day.
Optimistic About What’s Ahead
Mike Battaglino came up through the Air Force, served the city, and now carries the banner for one of the most important institutions in the Wichita Falls ecosystem. He’s the kind of leader who sees a gap and walks toward it, whether that’s a city council vacancy, an aging infrastructure on base, or a community that needs to hear a clearer story about why Sheppard AFB matters.
His message for NTHBA members heading into the future: keep building, keep growing, and stay optimistic.
The city is listening.