News 12 is continuing to highlight the achievements of Black community members in the Hudson Valley this Black History Month.

One of those community members is Monticello native retired Senior Master Sgt. Roland Paramore, who served three U.S. presidents in his roles on Air Force One and in the White House.

“My title when I retired was chief flight attendant Air Force One,” says Paramore. “I never thought I would reach that point. I always wanted to do the best that I could do. The rest is history.”

The Sullivan County native has quite the story to tell when it comes to his 27-year career with the Air Force and the Obama administration.

“President Obama was a good guy. He was a hard worker,” Paramore says. “Nobody thought we’d have an African American president. I’m happy I had a chance to make history with that.”

The 57-year-old began his Air Force career at the age of 17, after graduating from Monticello High School. He spent 11 years in logistics and served overseas before transferring to air crew aviation and working for presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – as a chief flight attendant and later, a head administrative butler at the White House.

Over time, you learn their likes and dislikes,” says Paramore. “You just make sure you’re on point with providing that at that time.”

Paramore keeps his knowledge of presidential preferences confidential, even if you ask.

“I’m not at liberty to disclose that information,” the retiree says. “Sorry.”

He says his favorite president to work for was President Bush.

“He was so down to earth,” Paramore says. “He invited the crew out to the ranch every so often in Texas because we were down there a lot.”

Paramore retired from the Air Force in 2012 and left the White House in 2016. He has since moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and has four children ages 14 to 31. He keeps in touch with the presidential families he served, and just last year was pictured at the White House with the Obamas for a special event.

Paramore says he’s humbled to be considered a role model for others.

“Never thought a Monticello boy would be in this position but here I am,” says Paramore. “I’m grateful for the time I had.”