Standing Committees

If you would like to serve on a committee, please reach out to that committee's chair.

Audit:  The Audit Committee monitors and audits the financial performance of the Association.

Awards & Citations: Recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate recognition to individuals, agencies and organizations for outstanding or significant contributions in the area of Emergency Management based on the criteria established by the Board of Directors. Upon approval of the board, makes known the promotion of achievements, accomplishments, purposes and goals of the Association to the public, the media, and other organizations.
  • Tanya Hockett, Chair
  • Courtney Arroyo
  • Ben Bellucci
  • William Drewery (ex officio)
  • Tracie Giles
  • Eric Lasky
  • Rachel Metz
  • Richard Mortimer
  • John Northon
  • Trevor Shannon
  • Jonathan Simmons
  • Kenneth Smith
Certification (Professional Development): Oversees the implementation of the VEMA certification program, including: maintaining a set of requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, that warrants certification and reviewing applications for emergency management certification levels and selecting those that meet the certification requirements.
  • Rich Mortimer, Chair
  • Olajumoke Akinrimisi
  • Randy T. Ashmore
  • Marie Balak
  • Amy Cornell-Titcomb
  • Robert Foresman
  • Andy John
  • Peter McCann (ex officio)
  • Anna McRay
  • Amber Peavy
  • Sean Peavy
  • Tammy Sommer
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
Constitution & By-Laws: The Constitution & By-Laws Committee ensures the Association Constitution and By-Laws are maintained, current and accurately reflect the vision, structure, purpose and policies of the Association.
Legislative: Recommends to the Board of Directors appropriate and legislative needs, issues, and activities for the Association to be involved in. Recommendations must be within the realm of Emergency Management and consistent with the goals and philosophy of the Association.
  • Jared Hoernig, Co-Chair
  • Brian Misner, Co-Chair
  • Olajumoke Akinrimisi
  • Adrik Bagdasarian
  • Marie Balak
  • Caitlin Barbieri
  • Amy Cornell-Titcomb
  • Leigh Deskins
  • Timothy Duffer
  • Leigh Ann Erdman
  • Robert Foresman
  • Tanya Hockett
  • William Lawson (ex officio)
  • David Long
  • Anna McRay
  • Daniel Osborn
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
  • Maribel Street
  • Dillon Taylor
  • Christopher Walz
  • Alex Weston
Non-VEMA Advisors: George Anas, Robb Bohannon, Cathie Hutchins
VEMA Lobby Day Platform 2024.pdf

Membership & Marketing: The Membership and Marketing Committee provides and oversees marketing strategies for the Association in order to increase membership and to provide knowledge of the Association to other agencies, associations, businesses, and individuals.

Professional Development Sub Committee:
Social Media Sub-Committee:
  • Amie Fuller, Chair
  • Candice Brown
  • Jacob Hughes
  • Scott Maynard (ex officio)
  • Victor Podbielski
  • Maribel Street
  • Cara Williams
Nominations Committee: Responsible for soliciting nominees from the membership, confirming interest and qualifications of candidates, and making recommendations to the membership for nominees to serve as officers of the Association.
Scholarship: The Scholarship Committee administers the Slayton E. Addison Jr. College Scholarship, the Grace Tressler Symposium Scholarship, and the Gordon Barwell PEM Certification Scholarship Programs.
  • William Flagler, Co-Chair
  • Katie Moody, Co-Chair
  • Marie Balak
  • Ben Bellucci
  • Samuel Carr
  • Leslie Comer
  • William Drewery (ex officio)
  • Tracie Giles
  • Kevin Kiddy
  • Rich Mortimer
  • Mary Morton
  • John Northon
  • Doretha Pair
  • Trevor Shannon
  • Tammy Sommer
  • Todd Whalen
Symposium: Responsible for the planning, development, coordination, promotion, administration and oversight of the Annual Conference / Symposium.
  • William Drewery, Co-Chair (VEMA)
  • Stephanie Harris, Co-Chair (VDEM)
  • Craig Bryant
  • Ryan Burkholder
  • John Calhoun
  • William Flagler
  • Amie Fuller
  • Matt Good
  • Tanya Hockett
  • Danielle Holmstrom
  • Jacob Hughes
  • Pete Lewis
  • Anna McRay
  • Katie Moody
  • Mary Morton
  • Lauren Opett
  • Jessica Robison
  • Lauren Tanner
  • Alex Tran
Program Subcommittee
  • Stephanie Duffy, Co-Chair
  • Lucy Carter Smith, Co-Chair
  • Elizabeth Bartol
  • Sarah Chappel
  • Dave Coffey
  • Leigh Deskins
  • David Eagle
  • Tracie Giles
  • Carrie Gonzalez
  • Emily Harmon Ruble
  • Stephanie Harris
  • Rebecca Heins
  • Tanya Hockett
  • Robb Hoffhower
  • Peter Homan
  • Patrick Lam
  • Rachel Luce
  • Osjane Mayfield
  • Riley McConnell
  • Sydney McKenna
  • David Morales
  • Darshan Parikh
  • Chris Patterson
  • William Robinson
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
  • Jonathan Simmons
  • Amanda Weaver
  • Michael Whitaker

Ad Hoc, Appointments, and Caucuses

Certification Policy Review (Ad Hoc Committee):

  • Leslie Comer (ex officio)
  • Robert Foresman
  • Richard Mortimer
  • Michelle Oblinsky
  • Shannon Sullivan

VEMA Rep. Appointment for National Weather Service’s StormReady Board:

  • Robert Foresman, Roanoke Alleghany Health District

Faith Based Caucus

  • Michael Whiteaker, Chair
  • vacant, Vice Chair
  • Moriah Kitaeff, Secretary
  • Trevor Shannon
  • Shannon Walters

Healthcare Caucus

  • Craig Bryant, Chair

Institutions of Higher Education Caucus

  • Peter McCann, Chair
  • Jared Hoernig, Vice-Chair
  • Alaina Neal, Secretary
  • Matt Majid, Elected Board Representative