Federal Legislative Affairs
Vivianne is the widow of LtCol Richard "Rich" Wersel, Jr. USMC, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and died on active duty at Camp Lejeune in 2005. She was instrumental in changing the SGLI and Death Gratuity (SA 1376) policy so that all active duty surviving spouses are [more...]
02/06/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Sheila)
State Legislative Affairs Team
Michael received his commission in 1979 via the ROTC program at the Senior Military College of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech. He began as an Air Defense officer, transferred to Ammunition (Ordnance), then to Acquisition. In Acquisition [more...]
02/06/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
State Legislative Affairs Team
Tricia comes from a four-generation military heritage with family members that graduated from both the US Naval Academy (grandfather) and West Point (father, 3 brothers, niece and nephew). The first female in her family to join the armed services, she served in Army Aviation for 27 years, [more...]
09/04/21 14:41/ WNC MOAA/ Appointed Positions/
VA Liaison (Alternate)
Marlene is the widow of The Rev. Carroll H. Varner, Jr., CDR, USN (Ret), a career Navy Chaplain, veteran of WW II and the Korean War followed by reserve service. Rev. Varner also served 12 years as a Chaplain in the VA drug rehab program. Marleen holds degrees from The College of Wooster [more...]
02/06/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Donna)
Web Curator
John enlisted in the Army in 1972 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before returning to NC State University and receiving his commission via ROTC in 1978. He served as an Air Defense, Infantry, and Special Forces officer in the U.S., Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the [more...]
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Elizabeth)
Senior Advisor / Blue Ridge Honor Flight Coordinator
Rick graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1978. His career spanned 34 years in the Air Force, flying C-5s, KC-135s, and several other aircraft. He retired as a major general in 2012 as the Air Force’s director of operational planning, policy, and strategy [more...]
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Surviving Spouse Liaison
Bio forthcoming
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
VA Liaison
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Paula)
JROTC Coordinator
Jeff had 30 years of operational aircraft maintenance experience with extensive expertise in tactical aircraft maintenance. He commanded three maintenance squadrons and a maintenance group. After retirement in 2008, Jeff became a consultant for a large defense contractor, where he provided [more...]
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (John)
Newsletter Editor
Donna graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1980 with a BS in Occupational Therapy (OT). She was a practicing therapist when she received a direct commission into the USAF in 1985, serving in the U.S. and Germany and leaving the service in 1992. She retired from OT after a 23-year [more...]
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Joyce)
Chaplain
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/
Spouse: (Joanie)
Immediate Past President
Mike attended Tufts University on a ROTC scholarship graduating in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After a short tour on a surface ship, he served aboard the nuclear submarines USS Woodrow Wilson, USS Sunfish, USS Ulysses S. Grant, and USS Sand Lance, also serving as nuclear [more...]
02/01/20/ WNC Webmaster/ Appointed Positions/