Convention Election Results

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John Rowan Re-Elected National President of Vietnam Veterans of America

(SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS)-John Rowan was re-elected yesterday to a second term as National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) at the organization’s 13th National Convention in Springfield. Rowan, who was elected to VVA’s highest office in 2005, has served as the chairman of VVA’s Conference of State Council Presidents, for three terms on the organization's Board of Directors, and as president of VVA’s New York State Council. He served as a linguist in the U.S. Air Force Security Service during the Vietnam War.

Rowan was a founding member and the first president of VVA Chapter 32 in Queens, New York. He retired recently as an investigator in the City of New York’s Comptroller’s Office. He lives in Middle Village, New York, with his wife, Mariann.

Three other national officers also were re-elected: Jack Devine, Vice President; Barry Hagge, Secretary; and Alan Cook, Treasurer. In addition, 19 National Board of Directors were elected: Nine At- Large and nine regional. The At-Large directors are Marsha Four, Gerald Yamamoto, John Margowski, Michael Marks, Alan Gibson, Dan Stenvold, Joe Jenkins, Pat Bessigano, Patrick Welch, and Tony Catapano.

The nine regional directors are: Region 1, Albert Cummings; Region 2, Fred Elliott; Region 3, Bruce Whitaker; Region 4, Carol Schetrompf; Region 5, Tom Meinhardt; Region 6, Steven House; Region 7, Allen J. Manuel; Region 8, John Neuman; and Region 9, Dick Southern.

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The following Committee Chairs were put forth to the 1st BOD meeting after the elections in Springfield, IL and were approved by the BOD:

Finance - Dave McMichael
Constitution - Leslie DeLong
Agent Orange - Buzz Sawyer
ETaBO - Alan Gibson
Gov't Affairs - John Miterko
Membership - Bill Meeks
Minority Affairs - Jerry Yamamoto
POW/MIA - Gary Jones
Public Affairs - Keith King
Veterans Benefits - Jerry Klein
Veterans Incarcerated - Wayne Miller
Veterans Health - Pat Bessigano
PTSD/Substance Abuse - Tom Berger
Women Veterans - Marsha Four
Homeless Veterans - Sandy Miller
Leadership Conference/Convention - Alan Cook
Credentials - Jim Blunt
Elections - Scott DeArman

You will note that there are no Task Force appointments. Task Force Committees are for a period of time to determine if there is a need. The need has been determined and so the move is necessary.

Also, the VI was placed as a "Program" under the POW/MIA Committee, SHAD was placed as a program under the Veterans Health and the "Veterans Against Drugs" was accepted by the VVAF as one of their programs.

Alan
BOD, At-large
Chair, Employment, Training and Business Opportunity (ETaBO) Committee