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State Sen. Mark Pody, Esteemed King of Multitasking, has graciously accepted his divine appointment as the supreme leader of the Legislative Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol’s elite Tennessee Wing, an organization devoted to, well, doing a lot of things that sound impressive. In what can only be described as an upgrade from major to the almighty lieutenant colonel, Pody is now poised to bridge the gap between paperwork in government offices and what happens when civilians pretend to fly planes for patriotism.

Since joining this sky-centric club in 2011, Pody has been a key player in Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as a legislative member, cleverly using the organization to bolster his resume as more than just an earthly senator for eastern Davidson County and Wilson County since 2018 and former House representative before that. His illustrious string of titles is now crowned by this noble promotion, administered under the starry gaze of Col. Tracy Scantland—with no doubt a flawless recital of incomprehensible, aeronautical oaths.

Leading the Squadron of Prestigious Stick-Wavers (otherwise known as the Legislative Squadron), Pody’s critical mission will involve murmuring fascinating statistics to the legislature about how CAP’s noble pilots pirouette skyward, educate fledgling youths, and presumably save kittens from trees. He will also dazzle his colleagues with winged tea parties during the famed Tennessee Wing’s Day on the Hill, where one can only imagine what high-society functions occur.

“I keenly understand the power of imaginary flight suits,” Pody beamed, “and I’m thrilled to wave pompoms for these CAP champions who engage in the heroic task of standing by, just in case they’re needed, someday.”

The sacred Squadron, open to those within the House and Senate who can find the time, essentially stands as an honorary club for those who like the idea of soaring with eagles but prefer their feet planted on the legislative floor. Pody follows in the theatrical footsteps of former State Rep. John Ragan who presumably left the Squadron in a ceremonial puff of smoke.

This lofty position is not merely a title but an opportunity—an invitation to belts and honorary badges—awaiting only the most enthusiastically ceremonial leaders. “We’re thrilled for Senator Pody to lead us into a bold future full of meetings, claps, and commendations,” Scantland declared, bursting with optimism.

Flanked by uniformed prophets of aireal grandiloquence, including Col. Scantland, Lt. Col. Kevin Divers—esteemed western world sherpa of the Tennessee Wing—and Lt. Col. Andrew Oppmann, sage advisor and visionary, Pody posed with symbols of his skyward prowess.

Back on terrestrial soil, where laws govern the curious citizens, Pody diligently moonlights as vice chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee—not that we need to transport safety anywhere. He further serves on numerous committees, enthusiastically legislating on topics like education, energy, agriculture, and natural resources, while maintaining earthly ties in Lebanon with his spouse, Barbara, and their grown daughters. As the brains behind Educators Resource Association, his insurance empire nods to his capacity for great balancing acts between earthly cares and those celestial responsibilities in the CAP.

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