MOAA has a board, consisting of five members, President, First VP, Second VP, Secretary and Treasurer. Adjunct to the board are the Service Reps. Program POCs are other members who have agreed to serve as points-of-contact for various programs within the chapter or that the chapter supports.
Spouse: (John)
President
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 career in 2003, worked briefly for Sunrise Senior Living and the Department of State before starting a second career with the U.S. federal government 2005-2016, serving in the U.S., the U.K., Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. [more...]
Spouse: (Jennifer)
First Vice President
Steve received his commission from the Army ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1986. He went on to complete Initial Entry Rotary Wing training and the AH-1 aircraft transition course in 1988. Steve then served in various Attack and Lift Battalion unit level positions from Platoon Leader through Battalion Commander in the Wisconsin National Guard, with a number of overseas assignments from Central America to the Middle East. Steve was also a full-time National Guard Soldier and [more...]
Spouse: (Ramona)
Second Vice President and Membership Chair
A Massachusetts native Kevin received his commission from NROTC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After his initial sea tour he transferred to the Aviation Maintenance Duty community serving in squadrons and aboard aircraft carriers. After his last sea tour as Aircraft Intermediate Department Officer aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 he spent a year as a student at the Naval War College. Retiring as a commander he worked as a contractor supporting the Navy’s Tomahawk Missile Program Office. [more...]
Secretary
If you are interested in serving the Chapter as the Secretary please contact Steve Watkins at vp1@wnc-moaa.org
Spouse: (Jacky)
Treasurer
Mike was commissioned via ROTC from the University of Miami in 1970 and served two years of active duty as an Armor Officer. After active duty, he was assigned to the 3220th US Army Garrison (USAG) in West Palm Beach, Florida, and later the 7/9 Field Artillery 8” (203) SP Battalion (USAR). During these assignments, he became branch qualified in the Adjutant Generals Corps, Transportation Corps, and Field Artillery. During Operation Desert Shield/Storm, the 3220th was mobilized and assigned to the [more...]
Spouse: (Stephanie)
Chair, Smoky Mountain Satellite
A graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago, John was commissioned through OCS in 1982. A qualified Surface Warfare Officer, he has served on USS New Orleans (LPH-11), USS Reeves (CG-24), USS Waddell (DDG-24), Destroyer Squadron Seven, USS Ranger (CV-61), USS Constellation (CV-64), and USS Thach (FFG-43). He has also served in two Navy Training Commands and graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He is a qualified Joint Specialty Officer.
After retirement, he was [more...]
At-large Rep
Jim began his Naval career in 1967 as an enlisted graduate of Underwater Demolition Training in California. Assigned to UDT-12, he made two deployments to Vietnam to conduct hydrographic reconnaissance missions and related amphibious operations. He was accepted to Officer Candidate School and was commissioned in 1976. Returning to UDT-12, he deployed as an Assistant Platoon Officer. He was assigned to SEAL Team ONE and deployed as a Platoon Commander. While deployed he was tasked as the Unconventional [more...]
Spouse: (Paula)
Air Force Rep
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 in-depth assessments of maintenance operations. Jeff and his wife live in north Henderson County, NC
USMC Rep
If you are interested in serving the Chapter as the USMC Representative please contact Steve Watkins at vp1@wnc-moaa.org.
Spouse: (Linda)
Navy Rep
Herb grew up in Leawood, Kansas and graduated from the U S Naval Academy in 1961. He served in Submarines for the majority of his career. Following retirement, he worked as a consultant for several Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs. Since retiring, he and his wife have made their home in Flat Rocks, NC.
Army Rep / Chair, Woodfin Satellite
Rod is a WNC native serving in the United States Army from Private to Colonel from 1984 to 2021. Enlisting in 1984 and receiving a commission in 1991 through the University of South Carolina ROTC as a Quartermaster Officer with an Armor Officer branch detail. His education includes master's degrees in Logistics from the Florida Institute of Technology and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. During his 37 year career he commanded and served in multiple theaters and combat zones. Upon [more...]
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 now eligible for enhanced benefits. She was also involved in repealing the Widows Tax. Vivianne has testified on survivor issues before Congress twenty times. She served on the Gold Star Wives (GSW} Government Relations [more...]
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 he served in Contracts, Program Management, and finally as a Uniformed Scientist. He retired as a Colonel in 2008 following over 28 years of regular Army service. He currently offers consulting services by teaching [more...]
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, as both enlisted, warrant and commissioned ranks in all three components (active, guard & reserve). She served in rotary and fixed wing leader & aviator assignments and as the National Guard’s Mobilization Readiness [more...]
VA Liaison (Alternate)
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 now eligible for enhanced benefits. She was also involved in repealing the Widows Tax. Vivianne has testified on survivor issues before Congress twenty times. She served on the Gold Star Wives (GSW} Government Relations [more...]
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 Middle East. After retirement, he had a second career with the U.S federal government, serving in the U.S., U.K., Latin America, the Middle East, Central Europe, and multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. John continued [more...]
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 at the Pentagon. In retirement, Rick works part time as a consultant, is an Air Force Adjunct Contract Professor, and serves on the boards of several civic and veterans organizations. He and his wife live in Asheville.
Surviving Spouse Liaison
Bio forthcoming
VA Liaison (Photo & Bio Forthcoming
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 in-depth assessments of maintenance operations. Jeff and his wife, Paula, live in north Henderson County, NC
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 career in 2003, worked briefly for the Department of State and had a second career with the CIA 2005-2016, serving in the U.S., the U.K., Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. She now lives with her husband and family dog, Chelsea [more...]
Chaplain
If you are interested in serving the Chapter as the Chaplin please contact Steve Watkins at vp1@wnc-moaa.org
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 power instructor, Department Head SSBN Security OP-2, Commander Submarine Squadron 22, and Commanding Officer Submarine Training Facility Charleston, SC. He retired in 1991 and worked in nuclear power plants for 10 years. [more...]
