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Colonel Merrie Knightly's Civil Air Patrol career began in September of 2000 when she joined the 35th Composite Squadron in Bangor, Maine with her husband and then 13 year old son. At that time major changes were happening in the Emergency Services area of CAP and the squadron needed an Emergency Services Officer to usher in these changes so Col Knightly volunteered to take on the task.

After guiding the squadron through the ES changes Col Knightly was asked to move to the position of Director of Emergency Services for Maine Wing under the mentorship of Lt Col Larry Wood the Director of Operations. After Lt Col Wood's untimely death she took over as Maine Wing Director of Operations where she lead the wing through several successful Air Force Evaluations and Guided Training Exercises including two Outstanding ratings.

In 2006 the new Wing Commander, Col Christopher Hayden asked Col Knightly to be his Chief of Staff for Maine Wing where she served until being invited to take the position of Northeast Region Vice Commander North serving the Wings of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Qualified as an Incident Commander, Col Knightly has lead many missions for the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and been the Liaison Officer for one actual air craft accident in Maine Wing working with the Maine State Police.

Col Knightly has attended many CAP leadership trainings including, Region Staff College, Inspector General College and National Staff College. She has a Master Rating in Emergency Services and a Senior Rating in Plans and Programs. Col Knightly is also a member of the NER Critical Incident Stress Management team.

In February 2010 Col Knightly achieved her Level V and received her Gill Robb Wilson Award, the highest level of training for Senior Members in CAP.

Col Knightly is married to Lt Col Ken Knightly, NER Inspector General. Their son Scott is a former C/Maj, now an Officer and a member of Florida Wing serving as the units Communications Officer.

Col Mark Lee

Colonel Mark A. Lee joined Civil Air Patrol in 1982 as a cadet, with the Philadelphia Composite Squadron 102.  As a cadet, he held every position on the cadet staff.  He commanded two Pennsylvania Wing Drill teams and competed in two Region Cadet Drill competitions.  He completed phase four of the cadet program and achieved the grade of cadet Lieutenant Colonel.    He assumed command of Squadron 102 shortly after becoming a senior member.  After successfully completing his term as Squadron Commander  Colonel Lee then moved on to serve as the Cadet Programs Office for Pennsylvania Wings Group 10 and as Deputy Commander of Group 3100.  He then went on to serve 5 years as the Northeast Region Director of Finance.  Colonel Lee returned to PA Wing and served as the first Director of training for the Wing.  He then served as the Pennsylvania Wing Chief of Staff and Vice Wing Commander.  Colonel Lee served as the Pennsylvania Wing commander from 2007-2011.

He is a CAP Pilot and holds Master ratings in Cadet Programs, Command and Safety.

His professional awards include Gil Rob Wilson (2086), Distinguished Service Award and numerous Exceptional Services Awards, Meritorious Service Awards and Commanders Commendations.   He is a graduate of the Northeast Region Staff College, National Staff College, Region and Wing Commanders Course, Inspector General College and the National Safety College.

Colonel Lee graduated from Holy Family University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology for Business, La Salle University with a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), and Saint Joseph’s University with a Master’s of Science in Safety and Environmental Management.

He is married with two children and lives in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. 

Col. Andrew Liput is one of Civil Air Patrol’s two Northeast Region deputy commanders.

As deputy commander, he is part of the region command staff and is responsible for supervising and assisting the four Wings under his management: New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island.  He also serves on the NER Awards Committee, Development Committee, and Finance Committee.

Liput joined CAP in 2015 and has previously served the NJWG as a Deputy Commander for Cadets, Deputy Commander for Seniors and as Unit Commander. Col Liput also spent four years serving the CTWG as Legal Officer and Government Relations Advisor where he earned the 2018 CTWG Commander’s Award.  He was named NER Legal Officer of the Year twice, NER Government Relations Officer of the Year twice, and National CAP Government Relations Advisor in 2020. From July 2021 through July 2024 Col Liput served a successful term as NJWG Commander. He has also served the National Staff on the grants and development committee, and the national uniform committee. 

Col Liput has achieved the Gil Robb Wilson, Level V professional development award, and holds Master ratings in Public Affairs and Command, Senior ratings in Legal Services and Professional Development, and a technician rating in Cadet Programs. 

Liput has held Emergency Services qualifications as planning section chief, ground branch director, mission scanner and mission observer, among others. Among other awards he has earned a Distinguished Service Award, Meritorious Service Award, National, Region and Wing Commanders’ Commendation Awards, Numerous Achievement Awards, a Rescue Find Ribbon, Command Service Ribbon, Crisis Service Ribbon, a Disaster Relief Ribbon with Presidential “V” Clasp, among many others.

Liput holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics from Drew University, a Master’s Degree in Theology from Northwestern Theological Seminary, a Juris Doctorate from Fordham Law School, and Professional Certifications in Executive Leadership and Management at Harvard University and Harvard Business School. He is a practicing attorney representing banks in regulatory and compliance matters and also acts as CEO of Secure Insight, a cyber fraud technology prevention firm serving the financial services sector.  He is married with four daughters and lives in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Current as of Oct. 26, 2024

Chief Master Sergeant Allan Lu is Civil Air Patrol’s Northeast Region (NER) Senior Enlisted Leader.   

As the NER Senior Enlisted Leader, Chief Lu serves as the primary advisor to the region commander on all matters concerning over 40 Non-Commissioned Officers  throughout the nine states in the region.  He is responsible for the recruitment and development of members of the NCO Corp.  He is also the focal point and mentor for developing leadership and professionalism for the cadets through guidance and training in all facets of military bearing; customs and courtesies; drill and ceremonies; and uniform standards.  

Chief Lu joined the Civil Air Patrol in June 2015 and was a member of the Raritan Valley Composite Squadron as a Cadet Activities Officer.  Shortly after, he was selected to be the first Command NCO of New Jersey Wing.  He was the NCO In-Charge of the Color Guard who represented NER at the National Cadet Competition in 2018.  He is involved in Color Guard activities and events throughout the NER.  He was the primary Government Relations Advisor for 2020 and 2021 Legislative Day.  Lastly, he has participated in several NJWG Basic Encampments in different capacities.   

Chief Lu retired from the 514th Aerospace Medicine Squadron located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey on December 2018 with 30 years of meritorious service.  He served as the Aerospace Medical Service Superintendent and Functional Manager.  He also served as the president of the 514th Chief's Group prior to retirement.    During his time with the USAF Reserves, he was deployed several times as medical support during Operation Southern Watch enforcing the Iraqi "No-Fly Zones".  He participated in Operation Pacific Angel in 2010 to Laoag City, Philippines and Operation Tropic Care in 2012 to Kauai’, Hawaii as the NCOIC of Nursing Services personnel - both were medical humanitarian missions.  

Chief Lu is a retired law enforcement officer for over 23 years of service.   He is currently employed as a part-time radiologic technologist for Summit Health.  He is married to Cecile and lives in Middlesex County, New Jersey.  Their son, Cadet Colonel Andrew Lu (#2353), was a member of Raritan Valley Composite Squadron and a former NER CAC Representative.  He is currently attending the United States Air Force Academy, Class of 2025. 

Current as of Oct. 26, 2024