DAC Working Groups Report Progress

Defense Affairs Committee (DAC) November 19, 2020

The quarterly DAC meeting was held via Zoom on the date above.

Guest Speaker LTC (Ret) Chris Wingate made a presentation on the new NDCC/JROTC at Monticello High School that is available to all Albemarle County high school students. He also addressed the challenges and opportunities of the program.

Community partners from the Defense Intelligence Agency at Rivanna Station, Greene County Economic Development Office and the University of Virginia Office of the Dean of Students provided updates on pertinent defense, intelligence, military and/or veteran matters.

The Ad Hoc Working Groups comprised of Chamber member volunteers reported on their respective progress.

Working Group “A”- NGIC Welcome Packet status was presented by Don Giannangeli of Edward Jones. Working with him is Jacqueline Nasca of Wilkinson Wealth Management and Gary LeFeuvre of Nest Furnished Living.

Working Group “B”- Recurring Events update was provided by COL (Ret) Bien but work is in process or components completed by volunteers Bill Murray and Pam Zirkle.

Working Group “C”- DAC Communications Plan status was presented by Bethan Browning of Parade Rest, assisted by Don Giannangeli of Edward Jones and Thomas Colbert of The Nature Conservancy.

A BIG Thank you to our volunteer workers. New Ad Hoc Working Groups will be formed after the New Year and we hope that other members of the DAC will engage.

COL (Ret) Bien provided an update of staff actions. Among the various actions are the Tech for Troops donation event from 30 November to 4 December, assisting NGIC with some community requirements and populating the Military Reception Lounge at the UVA Research Park.

Next meeting of the DAC is 25 February 2021.

Respectfully Submitted:

COL (Ret) Lettie J. Bien