IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release	July 25, 2008	No. 08-19   Contact: Mokie Porter 301-585-4000, Ext. 146
Elaine Simmons Elected President of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America
(Washington, D.C.)—Elaine Simmons was elected as National President of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) at the organization’s Fifth Biennial Convention in Greenville, South Carolina. Simmons of Bluefield, West Virginia, brings nearly 20 years of experience to the position of AVVA President, having served as AVVA Chapter Liaison for Chapter 628, Princeton, West Virginia; as West Virginia State Associate Liaison; as AVVA Region 3 Associate Director; and most recently as AVVA Vice President. Said VVA National President John Rowan, “On behalf of the officers, directors, and members of Vietnam Veterans of America, I congratulate Elaine and the newly elected officers and directors of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America, and we look forward to working together on a very full slate of important issues facing our veterans and their families today.” Three additional national officers were also elected to the board of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America: Mary Yeomans, Vice President, from Quincy, Florida; Patsy Varnell, Secretary, from Mannford, Oklahoma; and Bill Williams, Treasurer, from Billings, Montana. The nine regional directors are: Region 1, Frances Cartier, from Orrington, Maine; Region 2, Nancy Switzer, from Rochester, New York; Region 3, Sharon Hobbs, from Chattanooga, Tennessee; Region 4, Suzanne Blohm-Weber, from Flagler Beach, Florida; Region 5, Penny Meinhardt, from Port Huron, Michigan; Region 6, Patricia Furno-Willis, from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Region 7, Debbie Lemmones, from Caddo, Oklahoma; Region 8, Frances Rowan, from Grant’s Pass, Oregon; and Region 9, Carol Southern, from Tuolumne, California.
AVVA is a national organization that promotes legislative and educational programs for veterans and their families. It is affiliated with Vietnam Veterans of America.