I was elected in 2006 as NARFE Chapter 5's Vice President and was appointed by the President as the Program Chairman. I was also appointed as the Newsletter editor for the Chapter and served as Co-Chairman for the Area II newsletter. Later in 2007, I was appointed as Refreshment Chair. I served the Chapter in this capacity for approximately 2 years. In 2008, the Area Vice President appointed me as the State's A.D.P. to represent VFC Area 2 as a member of the State Legislative committee. In addition, Chapter 5's President appointed me as the State and National Legislative chairman. In 2009, I was elected as Metro Chapter 5's President and I continue to chair the Chapter's National and State Legislative position, Newsletter editor and refreshment committee. I was also appointed by the VFC Area II vice president to the 2010 Convention committee and served as co-chair of the exhibitors committee and as a member of the ballot and tellers committee. I was again elected as Chapter 5's President in 2010 and continue to Chair the same positions as in 2009. In March 2010, I was appointed by the VFC President as the VFC's National Legislative Chair. My number one goal is to better organize and build upon past accomplishments of the VFC's National Legislative Committees and Congressional District Liaisons network to be more effective in pursuing NARFE's mission and Vision.

Other information during my working life includes various business, industrial and Naval work experiences including, plumbing, electrical/electronics, retail and merchandising management, technical and trade theory instructor, Nuclear instructor, Nuclear supervision and management, Project Zone manager with temporary positions as Assistant, Deputy and Project Superintendent. In 1999, I was selected as Deputy Shop Superintendent of the Electrical and Electronics Group. I am also a U.S. Army veteran, who served overseas with the Advanced Weapons Support Command until returning to the US in 1971.

One of my major accomplishments as Deputy Superintendent was the establishment of the Metal Trades Council made up of union local's and Deputy Superintendents which became known as the MTC-Deputy Superintendents Team, whose job was to work together to solve problems. I was elected as the Co-Chairman of the Team after the first year of implementation where I remained until shortly before he retiring. Immediate gratification of the team provided a huge reduction in labor disputes, which continued to reduce by 50% each following year working as a team. This action alone saved many thousands of dollars in legal disputes and lost time each year. Other Team actions included helping to make the industrial environment a safer place to work thereby keeping the Commands greatest resource safe as well as saving millions of dollars in potential compensation, medical expenses. Personnel injury and machinery damage was significantly reduced when management teamed up with labor officials and inspected worksites for safety problems and personnel violations. The Team made the operation a win-win for labor and management.

In 2005, I was appointed as the base Electrical safety officer, who had the responsibility to inspect and report all base areas and buildings requiring electrical safety attention as well as investigating all field mishaps and reporting findings with proposed corrective actions. I worked closely with a team of OSHA inspectors to resolve potential and actual violations.

I enjoy several hobbies such as fishing, woodworking and stamp collecting. I enjoy family gatherings with all the kids and grand kids. I have been married to my wife Lorrine for 10 years and have celebrated our 10th year wedding anniversary 25 times now, as she refuses to admit to any age over 39.

The link below is the Status of NARFE's Priority Legislation. I intend to keep it as up to date as possible.

NARFE's Legislation Update (Nov 08)

As to useful links, for National Legislation you can't beat the Library of Congress' web site, Thomas. You can find there just about anything and everything you need to know about legislation, including links to Congressional web sites and the U.S. Code.