Members of the Hampton Roads ASMC Chapter,

I’m writing to you today to provide the state of our chapter as we navigate the COVID-19 environment currently wreaking havoc on our normal day-to-day activities.  Our chapter is guided by two overarching tenets:  providing comptroller professional development opportunities and making a difference in our community through community service events.  I will discuss each of these briefly.

With regard to professional development, both our local and national professional development events have been canceled at this time.  That said, we were just a couple of weeks away from our local event when the decision was made to cancel.  Up to that point, significant planning activities had already occurred.  Our professional development PDT lead, SSgt Trecee Grant, in concert with the AGA lead, was working hard to bring us another exceptional event.  I am so appreciative of SSgt Grant’s efforts despite the outcome.  Please thank her if you get the chance!  Going forward, it is unlikely we will be able to continue our monthly luncheons over the next several months given the Governor’s stay at home order.  However, your local and national ASMC executive teams are exploring alternate ways to bring you professional development opportunities.  I will reach out if/when we are able to make this happen.

With regard to community service, we are required to have five community service events each year to have a good year in terms of achieving five-star chapter status which is a goal we strive for each year.  So far this year, we have accomplished three community service activities:  the back to school drive, the holiday stockings, and our adopt-a-family for the holiday event.  A big thanks to all of you who contributed to these efforts so generously!  We are making a difference in our community.  Going forward, the COVID-19 environment provides opportunities ripe for continued community service on our part.  Your executive team is working diligently to put some safe and socially-distanced plans together to accomplish two more events.  Stay tuned for additional details; we need your continued support!

In better news, our local boards met and selected both our Hampton Roads annual award and scholarship winners.

HR ASMC Annual Award Winners

 HR ASMC Scholarship Winners

Karmina Buensuceso, Kempsville HS, Virginia Beach – 1st Place – $2,000

Makayla Harvey, Kempsville HS, Virginia Beach – 2nd Place – $1,500

Megan Geith, Kecoughtan HS, Hampton – 3rd Place – $1,000

Lauren Oliver, Smithfield HS, Smithfield – 4th Place – $500

Emily Ann Pryce, Cox HS, Virginia Beach – 4th Place – $500

Bonnie Yang, Smithfield HS, Smithfield – 4th Place – $500

Grace Lysek, New Kent HS, New Kent County – 4th Place – $500

Congratulations to all our winners!  Both the annual award winners and the first and second place scholarship winners were forwarded to national for further competition.  We normally recognize our winners at the June turnover luncheon but this being an abnormal year, it is unlikely we will get that opportunity.  We will find another way to get them their plaque/check.  In the meantime, if you know any of these folks, reach out and congratulate them!

Speaking of the turnover lunch, the Navy will be taking the reins from the Air Force starting 1 July.  If you are interested in serving on the Navy’s team, contact Ms. Beth Long at lillie.long@navy.mil.  The other Services will assist the Navy in a supporting role.  If you are Coast Guard, Army, or Air Force, reach out to the current service-specific VP (listed below) to see how you can get involved in the upcoming year.  It takes a few handfuls of dedicated folks to pull off a successful year.  As a plug, ASMC involvement increases professional networking opportunities, looks good on resumes, and provides leadership opportunities you may not get in the workplace.

Service VPs

Ms. Uliana Isbell, Coast Guard, uliana.a.isbell@uscg.mil

Ms. Audra Lemme, Army, audra.a.lemme.civ@mail.mil

SSgt Trecee Grant, Air Force, trecee.grant@us.af.mil

In closing, this is not exactly how I anticipated this year to go but rolling with the punches is how we remain resilient and ready for the next challenge.  I wish you all happiness and health over the next few weeks as we continue to learn more and navigate this new normal.  I am honored to be your President and serve with you.  Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions and/or concerns.

Kathy Day

President, Hampton Roads ASMC