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
  • Stephen Davis (ex officio)
  • Tracie Giles
  • Eric Lasky
  • Peter McCann
  • 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.
  • Chair - vacant
  • Ben Bellucci
  • Mark Bender
  • Leslie Comer (ex officio)
  • Amy Cornell-Titcomb
  • James Emery
  • Kristen Fagan
  • Robert Foresman
  • Sara Harrington
  • Stephanie Harris
  • Daniel Hudson
  • Ethan Longenecker
  • Rich Mortimer
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
  • Doug Smith
  • Craig VanClief
  • Michael Whiteaker
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.
  • Bill Lawson, Co-Chair
  • Brian Misner, Co-Chair
  • Renee Allen-Stallings
  • Caitlin Barbieri
  • Craig Bryant
  • Craig Camidge
  • Ashley Chriscoe
  • Amy Cornell-Titcomb
  • Doug Crowson
  • Timothy Duffer
  • Jenna Dunn
  • Walter English
  • Leigh Ann Erdman
  • Allen Evans
  • William Flagler
  • Robert Foresman
  • Bobby Gelormine
  • Tanya Hockett
  • Jared Hoernig
  • Amy Hoffman
  • Danielle Holmstrom (ex officio)
  • Andrew Irvine
  • David Long
  • Matthew Majid
  • Melissa Meador
  • Mary Morton
  • Steven Nelson
  • Wesley Rogers
  • Chris Shay
  • Sara Snowden
  • Danielle Spach
  • Erin Sutton
  • Dillon Taylor
  • Shannon Walters
  • Alex Weston
  • Kim Wheeland
  • Michael Whiteaker
  • Stephen Willoughby
  • Gregory Zebrowski

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:
  • Maribel Street, Chair
  • Sherilyn Burris
  • Amy Cornell-Titcomb
  • Amie Fuller
  • Tracie Giles
  • Felton Gilmore
  • Stephanie Harris
  • Eric Lasky
  • Pete Lewis
  • Rachel Metz
  • Rich Mortimer
  • Mary Morton
  • Christopher Parrish
  • Chris Patterson
  • Doug Smith
  • Ken Smith
  • Marcos Valerio
  • Craig VanClief
Social Media Sub-Committee:
  • Shannon Sullivan, Chair
  • Candice Brown
  • Sam Burnette
  • Tim Duffer
  • Jacob Hughes
  • Victor Podbielski
  • Lauren Opett
  • Trevor Shannon
  • Cara Williams
  • Hannah Winant
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.
Symposium: Responsible for the planning, development, coordination, promotion, administration and oversight of the Annual Conference / Symposium.
  • Danielle Holmstrom, Co-Chair (VEMA)
  • Stephanie Harris, Co-Chair (VDEM)
  • Craig Bryant
  • Ryan Burkholder
  • Sarah Chappel
  • Christina Clark
  • Leslie Comer
  • Tim Duffer
  • Stephanie Duffy
  • Mike Freeman
  • Matt Good
  • Sara Harrington
  • Tanya Hockett
  • Jacob Hughes
  • Patrick Lam
  • Pete Lewis
  • Madison L'Heureux
  • Mary Morton
  • Lauren Opett
  • Chris Patterson
  • Jessica Robison
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
  • Jonathan Simmons
  • Ken Smith
  • Lucy Carter Smith
  • Shannon Sullivan
  • Lauren Tanner
  • Alex Tran
  • Rich Troshak
  • Joy Wazuku
  • Michael Whiteaker
Program Subcommittee
  • Stephanie Duffy, Co-Chair
  • Lucy Carter Smith, Co-Chair
  • Courtney Arroyo
  • Elizabeth Bartol
  • Heather Brown
  • Sarah Chappel
  • Christina Clark
  • David Eagle
  • Carrie Gonzalez
  • Emily Harmon Ruble
  • Stephanie Harris
  • Tanya Hockett
  • Robb Hoffhower
  • Peter Homan
  • Patrick Lam
  • Rachel Luce
  • Sydney McKenna
  • Kelly Myers
  • Darshan Parikh
  • Chris Patterson
  • Teresa Scott Hoggard
  • Jonathan Simmons
  • Rich Troshak
  • Amanda Weaver
  • Michael Whitaker
  • Stephen Willoughby

Ad Hoc, Appointments, and Caucuses

Certification Policy Review (Ad Hoc Committee):

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

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Ad Hoc Committee):

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

  • Robert Foresman, Roanoke Alleghany Health District

Faith Based Caucus

  • Michael Whiteaker, Chair
  • Kimberly Ligon, Vice Chair
  • Moriah Kitaeff, Secretary
  • Shannon Walters

Healthcare Caucus

  • Craig Bryant, Chair

Institutions of Higher Education Caucus

  • Peter McCann, Chair
  • Jared Hoernig, Vice-Chair
  • Tracie Giles, Secretary
  • Matt Majid, Elected Board Representative