DAC – February Meeting Report
Defense Affairs Committee (DAC) February 25, 2021
The DAC held its quarterly meeting at noon via Zoom on the date above.
Thirty-seven (37) people were in attendance, which included an elected member of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, members of the DAC Leadership Council, public, academic, and private sector Chamber, and non-Chamber members.
The Chair, Deborah Van Eersel welcomed everyone, and first-time attendees introduced themselves and their organization affiliation.
Robust government updates were provided by the Office of the Secretary of Veterans & Defense Affairs (Thomas Crabbs, Military Liaison), National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC)(A. Wade Woolfrey) and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Field Support Activity (Don Galloway), the latter two located at Rivanna Station. This being the last official meeting for Mr. Woolfrey as he begins retirement, well deserved accolades were bestowed upon him by many. His report included the forward movement of approvals for the expansion of the Nicholson Building at Rivanna Station.
Rob Jones provided an interesting presentation on the UVA Applied Research Institute (ARI); to wit, the history of research at UVA, what ARI is, and what it does.
Program Manager, COL (Ret) Lettie Bien’s update included the status with the re-casting of the DAC Action Plan and requested that participants review the current Plan on the DAC website and send her comments and recommendations. She stated that the Welcome Packet being prepared for incoming NGIC personnel is almost complete and a report would be provided at the next quarterly meeting by the Working Group of Gary LeFeuvre, President of Nest Furnished Living Solutions, Jacqueline Nasca, Financial Advisor at Wilkinson Wealth Management & Investment Advisory Services, LLC, and Don Giannangeli, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones.
COL Bien also called for volunteers for two new Working Groups. After introducing the attendees to the Virginia Department of Veterans & Defense V3 (Virginia Values veterans) Program, one Working group will identify local companies that are certified under this program and work to get new and diversified companies engaged. The second Working group will be constituted to enlarge and enhance the local discounts offered to military personnel, their families, and veterans. Please contact the DAC if you would like to work on any of these worthwhile projects.
The meeting was concluded at 1300 (1 PM).