Delegates at the National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC)’s 25th Triennial Convention recently elected new officers. The convention, which took place in Orlando from November 10-12, brought NVAC leaders together under the theme of “Empowered to Endure.”
The results were as follows:
President – Mary Jean “MJ” Burke
1st Vice President – Barbara Whitson-Casanova
2nd Vice President – Tinita Cole
3rd Vice President – William “Bill” Wetmore
Treasurer – Monica Fultz
In the presidential race, MJ Burke won the top position with 68% of the vote. This is MJ’s first term as president as she replaces former NVAC President Alma Lee, who recently retired after serving 12 terms for 33 years. MJ is a physical therapist at the Richard Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis and was originally appointed in 2002 by the National VA Council to serve as a National Safety Representative. She was first elected as the First Executive Vice President in November 2007 and served in that role until being appointed president.
“Thank you to all the delegates and candidates that attended the NVAC convention in Orlando,” said AFGE National VA Council President MJ Burke. “It is my hope that I will continue to earn your local's trust. Courage takes on many forms but let us all be inspired to do the work for the fight that is right. Knowing at the end of the day, having access to the union, especially in VA, not only is in the public interest, but is one of the things that makes America great. Now let’s get to work!”
Barbara Whitson-Casanova won the first executive vice-presidential position with 68% of the vote. This is Barbara’s first term as NVAC’s First EVP. She most recently served as the NVAC District 9 representative, representing VA employees in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Barbara, who is a registered nurse, has been both a member and NVAC national representative since 1999. She also has proudly served as President of Local 2054 at the Little Rock VA Medical Center in Arkansas since 2011.
Tinita Cole earned 50% of the vote to become second executive vice president. This is Cole’s first term as NVAC Second Executive Vice President. She serves as president of Council 262 representing VA employees in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio. She also serves as the NVAC District 6 representative.
Bill Wetmore was reelected with 44% of the vote for third executive vice president. He has served in this role since 2003. Wetmore began working as an attorney at the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington, D.C. in 1979 and retired from federal service in 2020. He is also the Chair of the Grievance and Arbitration Committee, a member of the Master Agreement Negotiating Team from 2003 until ratification in 2011, a member of the VA Mid-Term Bargaining Committee, and the Strategic Planning Committee.
Monica Fultz was reelected to the treasurer position with 82% of the vote. An Army veteran, this is Fultz’s second term as NVAC treasurer. Her altruism spans over 32 years at both the Salem and now at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, where she works as a Program Specialist in Engineering Service. She also serves on the Grievance & Arbitration Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Organizing Committee for the NVAC
The officers were sworn in by AFGE National President Everett Kelley during a reception on Nov. 12. AFGE congratulates all of the new NVAC officers!
For more information about the council, check out its website here.
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