Leadership

• Amy Verner, Chair
• Darrell Turner, Co-Chair
• Rueben Adams
• Andy Cason
• Kris Countryman
• Andrea Eisenberger
• Nick Green
• Alison Haverty
• Dawn Lucas
• Mary McIntyre
• June Prakash
• Heather Sipe, Board Liaison

This committee advises the Communications and Public Affairs Dept. on internal communication systems to ensure that they meet the needs of members and local associations, and advises the Department on enhancing the VEA image with internal and external audiences.

Members of this committee also advise on appropriate use of cutting-edge communications technology and encourage and increase Union activity at Local level by promoting current communications initiatives and public relations activities through UniServ councils and other appropriate committees.

• Amy Verner, Chair
• Allison Batty
• Monann Davis
• David Paladin-Fernandez
• Antuane Moore
• Jeanine Osther
• Cherone Small
• Barbeta Terry
• Tyrone Weems
• Melissa Brace, Board Liaison

This committee certifies delegates to the VEA Delegate Assembly and assist during business sessions during the Assembly.

• Megan Link, Co-Chair
• Barbara Wilson, Co-Chair
• Arthur Anderson
• Tyron Barnes
• Cassandra Bell
• Clesta Foor
• Georgeanne Lavery
• Angela Moss
• Katie Vincent
• Alia Zaro

This committee makes recommendations as appropriate to increase the integration of educational support concerns into Association policies and programs, and thereby enhance the Association’s image among education support professionals.

This committee works to increase ESP membership to assure Collective Bargaining and a Living Wage.

Members make recommendations for conferences as applicable, and recommendations designed to enhance the local Association’s ability to improve benefits available to education support professionals.

• Virginia Higginbotham, Chair
• Kathleen Bochert, VEA Retired
• Eric Burton
• Connie Coates, VEA Retired
• Emily Coleman
• Ivis Castillo
• Melody Cunningham
• Anthony Fields
• Ingrid Simmons
• Karen Tyrrell
• Shirlita West
• Raychelle Williams
• Nancy Bassett, Board Liaison
• Kathline Butler, Board Liaison
• Gwen Edwards, Board Liaison

This committee canvasses ballots for state, general and/or special elections and reports the results to the VEA Board of Directors. Committee members should be delegates to the VEA Convention.

This committee reviews the VEA Campaign Regulations, statewide election procedures, and makes recommendations to the VEA Board of Directors. The committee reviews VEA statewide candidates’ campaign practices and expenditures and reports to the VEA Board. The committee meets during the Delegate Assembly to respond to campaign inquiries.

• Stephanie Lovelace, Co-Chair
• Steve Whitten, Co-Chair
• Christina Bohringer
• Kathy Butler
• Alisa Downey
• Gwen Edwards
• Belinda Folb
• Leslie Houston
• Britteny Thomas
• Dot Walton, VEA Retired

This committee advises the VEA president and the VEA Board of Directors on critical Association and education issues. The committee prepares the annual VEA budget to be recommended to the VEA Board of Directors.

• Carol Bauer
• Dr. Jessica M. Jones
• Kevin Hickerson
• Dr. Kimberly Archer
• Kathline Butler
• Gwen Edwards
• Leslie Houston
• Lola McDowell, VEA Retired
• Benjamin Sizemore

This commission reviews human relations needs in all programs, events, and initiatives of the VEA and recommend steps to intensify commitment to advance the human dignity of every individual.

The commission acts as the vanguard, monitoring behaviors of extremists and hate groups within the education environment and recommends action as needed to the VEA President and VEA Board of Directors. VEA leadership will work in collaboration with the commission.

Members promote the inclusion of culturally competent and responsive curriculum and instruction in partnership with VEA’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

The commission recognizes and highlights the wealth of diversity within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Commission members screen applications for the Fitz Turner Awards Program, serve as officers and committee members on the Beblon G. Parks Scholarship Fund, and make appropriate recommendations to the VEA President.

The commission reviews VEA and NEA Resolutions relating to human and civil rights and advises the VEA Board regarding implementation.

All terms begin September 1 and end August 31.

• Brandon Fincham, Chair
• Kim Anderson-Hasty
• Milondra Coleman
• Monann Davis
• Tammy DeHaven
• Lorraine Dresch
• Anthony Fields
• Starr Hargrove
• Melodie Henderson
• Kenara Jackson
• Christie Jones
• Elizabeth Larson
• James Parker
• Mary Patterson
• Nicola Ross
• Christina Schmitt
• Anthony Swann
• Andrea Trotter
• Charisse Woodward

This committee communicates with members on current instructional and professional development issues. Members make recommendations as needed from information on reform initiatives, policies, and regulations which relate to teacher quality, student learning, and other education issues; provides resources to meet the identified needs with options for participation (workshops, webinars, help sessions, VEA VirtualEd and more).

The committee recognizes Excellence in Instructional Leadership through screening applicants for the the Mini-Grants Program and for the NEA Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence and makes appropriate recommendations to the VEA President.

• Amy Brown, Chair
• Trinity Bea
• Paul Clark
• Laura Hamilton
• Stephanie Harry
• Amanda Jenkins
• Deborah Wesley
• Bernard Zdancewicz
• James Freeman, Board Liaison
• Suzanne Kockler, Board Liaison
• Alynn Parham, Board Liaison

• Angela Trerotola, Co-chair
• Jessika Crance
• Brandon Fincham
• Danny Higgins
• Brad Hutchinson
• Leslie Jones
• Travis Maxwell
• Lyndsay McCabe
• Katie Morgans
• Peter Pisarek
• Charisse Woodward
• Cory Foster, Board Liaison
• Shaniqua Williams, Board Liaison

This committee recommends the VEA Legislative Agenda to the Board of Directors, serves in an advisory capacity to the VEA president during the General Assembly session, and reports the status of VEA-supported legislation and other legislative activities to the VEA Board.

• Carol Bauer, Chair
• Dr. Jessica M. Jones (non-voting)
• Ernest Chambers
• Belina Folb
• Leslie Houston
• Amanda Lambert
• Rosina Simmons
• Benjamin Sizemore
• Darrell Turner
• Dot Walton

(UniServ Council Chairs)
(UniServ Standards Advisory Committee – USAC)
The committees makes recommendations regarding strategies to increase and maintain a high level of VEA membership.

The committee reviews documentation concerning the level of knowledge and participation in organizing and negotiations activities on the state and local level, and makes recommendations for expanding activities as appropriate.

The committee also reviews unit composition and UniServ operation standards and makes recommendations to the VEA Board of Directors.

Members of this committee serve as a vehicle for UniServ units to discuss joint concerns and goals, and screen applications for the A+ Awards for Membership Growth and make recommendations to the VEA President.

Members work to help develop engagement in New Ed.

• Loudoun – Kris Countryman, Chair
• Henrico – Jennifer Andrews
• Rockingham – Nancy Bassett
• Spotsylvania – Melissa Brace
• Portsmouth – Benjamin Brown
• Richmond City – Andrea Bryant
• Virginia Beach – Andrea Eisenberger
• Yorktown – Sam Eure
• Montgomery – Matthew Fentress
• Lynchburg – Connie Finney
• Fairfax – Carla Okouchi
• Pittsylvania – Dr. Jessica M. Jones
• Albemarle – Vernon Lechti
• Franklin County – Stephanie Lovelace
• Dickenson – Phyllis Mullins
• Norfolk – Patrick Barry
• Falls Church City – Amanda Ronco
• Sussex – Tammy Stith

This committee facilitates the achievement of ethnic minority delegate presentation at least equal to the proportion of identified ethnic-minority populations within the state of Virginia.

This committee advises and makes recommendations to the President and Board of Directors, as appropriate, regarding diversity, multicultural, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender equity issues and programs, employment practices, and other issues and programs of concern to minorities and women, with special emphasis on state initiatives which promote equity and minority engagement.

This committee identifies and recommends resources that are relevant, equitable, and adaptable to meet the needs of all students, education professionals, and SVEA- Aspiring Educators.

The committee serves as the designated liaison to receive and address minority and women’s concerns submitted by VEA members and makes appropriate recommendations.

• Dr. Adriane Bradely-Gray, Chair
• Mary Davis
• Anna Demeria
• Angela Dews
• Amanda Gainer
• Kenara Jackson
• Terry Jones
• Dawn Lucas
• Lola McDowell
• Amanda Moomaw
• Dr. Camona Murray
• June Prakash
• Carolyn Riley
• Carla Okouchi, Board Liaison
• Rosina Simmons, Board Liaison

This commission is charged with reviewing and recommending action regarding the legal rights of members.

All terms begin September 1 and end August 31.

Executive Committee (elected in Spring 2025)
Dr. James Graves, Chair
Tyron Barnes, Vice Chair

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

• Reuben Adams
• Dr. Kimberly Archer
• Ernest Chambers
• Clarence Collins
• Jenny Higginbotham
• Leslie Houston
• Dr. Jessica M. Jones (non-voting)
• Latasha Lee
• Travis Maxwell
• Eric Payne
• Danielle Sheppard
• Benjamin Sizemore
• Kathleen Slinde

This committee reviews, edits, and proposes amendments to the VEA Resolutions. Members conduct an open hearing on proposed Resolutions and present proposed Resolutions to the VEA Delegate General Assembly.

• Jessica Jones, Chair
• District A: Danielle Riffe
• District B: Lezley Wilson
• District C: Toni Jackson
• District D: Christine Hawley
• District E: Matthew Wallace, Joann Walton
• District F: Tabatha Zarkauskas
• District G: Melissa Muszynski, Katie Rosenbrook
• District H: Joshua Folb, Amanda Ronco
• District I: Connie Finney
• District J: Cheryl Knight
• District K: Myra Rowan
• District L: Carolyn Null Waters
• District M: Angela Moss
• District N: Helen Adams-Johnson
• District O: Sheila Mapp
• District P: Marco Sardi
• District Q: Renee Beverly, Clarence Collins
• Retired Reps:Vashti Mallory, Elizabeth Goodson
• SVEA: Aspiring Educator Rep: Denver Francis-McKenzie
• NEA Resolutions: Carla Okouchi, Amanda Ronco
• Fitz Turner Commission: Brandon Fincham
• Cathie Lee; Adria Stagg: Staff Liaisons

This committee studies state and federal proposals and regulations with their impact on students with disabilities noting the overlap between the state and federal.

Members promote professional development for educators regarding current laws and legal procedures affecting special education.

This committee works with other VEA committees (membership, government, IPD) to develop a strategic membership initiative to include needs of special education teachers to increase membership as part of the collective bargaining campaign.

The committee encourages the creation of local special ed committees to provide technical assistance to local bargaining teams and leadership so best practices for local policies are developed.

• Mary Beth Guzman, Chair
• Kim Anderson-Hasty
• D’nae Carranza
• Tammy DeHaven
• Dora Godfrey
• Riya Medley
• Edna Outlaw
• Claudette Pierre
• Joanne Walton
• Nevine Youssef
• Kevin Hickerson, Board Liaison
• Dr. Kimberly Archer, Board Liaison

They assist at the VEA Delegate Assembly in recognizing members who wish to be recognized.

• Lois Switzer, Chair
• Sylvia Hutto
• Amy Lamb
• Catherine Malley
• Melissa Peters

• Dr. Jessica M. Jones
• Kevin Hickerson
• Alynn Parham

• Carol Bauer
• Gerry Collins
• Mustaq Ahman
• Taisha Steele
• Kevin Shaver
• Bethany Bizick
• Earl Wiman

• Lola McDowell
• Malia Huddle
• Kathy Davis
• Dot Walton
• Dennis Pfennig
• Meg Gruber
• Sid Neighbors
• Angela Peterson
• Stella Johnson
• Barbara Wilson
• Nena Koch
• Jamila Darwish
• R. Edward Fifer
• Cindy Kennedy
• Allison Batty

• Carol Bauer, Chair
• Dr. Jessica M. Jones, Vice-Chair
• Randy Blair
• Christina Bohringer
• Andy Cason
• Gwen Edwards
• Meg Gruber
• Katina Harris
• Frederica Hill
• Amanda Lambert
• Mary McIntyre
• June Prakash
• Jennifer Rokasky
• Kathleen Slinde
• Sandy Sullivan

• Nyia McCall
• Lana Coffey
• Isabella Quinones
• Karyn Spann-Hicks
• Carlisah Benbow
• Cheyenne Bowey
• Amber Williams

This team reviews the NEA Convention process and makes appropriate recommendations to the VEA Board.

• Kevin Hickerson
• Alynn Parham
• Arthur Anderson
• Gwen Edwards
• Dr. Jessica M. Jones
• Stephanie Lovelace
• Lola McDowell
• Heather Sipe
• Dot Walton
• Shaniqua Williams