UMATILLA COUNTY — The Umatilla County Republican Party has a new leader.

Retired Col. Klaus Hoehna, of Weston, is the new local party chair, succeeding  Suni Danforth, of Milton-Freewater.

Umatilla County Republicans in an announcement thanked Danforth for her years of service.

“She has shepherded phenomenal growth for elected precinct committee persons as well as led the charge in the county on election integrity and supporting our county election office,” according to the news release.  “In addition, she has provided party support for the county commissioners and varied local leaders throughout the county.”

Hoehna is a natural-born German, migrating to the United States with his parents and grandmother when he was a child.  He graduated from high school in Roseburg and attended Umpqua Community College and University of Portland.

Hoehna commissioned into the Air Force as a 2nd Lt. and became a pilot.  He served from 1974 to 2005, when he retired.  Hoehna served at the Pentagon and Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado, working with the North American Air Defense Command.

After retirement, he moved to Weston, where he lives with his wife, Mary.  He has worked in the private sector for 13 years, including the city of Pendleton as a regulatory specialist.  He volunteers in several capacities, serves on public service boards and is a substitute teacher in the Athena-Weston School District.

The Hoehnas are parents to three children and have six grandchildren.  They also serve as youth group leaders for their local church in Weston.