Dr. Vivianne Cisneros Wersel, Au.D.

Federal Legislative Affairs

Vivianne is the widow of LtCol Richard "Rich" Wersel, Jr. USMC, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II and died on active duty at Camp Lejeune in 2005. She was instrumental in changing the SGLI and Death Gratuity (SA 1376) policy so that all active duty surviving spouses are now eligible for enhanced benefits. She was also involved in repealing the Widows Tax. Vivianne has testified on survivor issues before Congress twenty times. She served on the Gold Star Wives (GSW} Government Relations [more...]

Michael Padgett

Spouse: (Sheila)

State Legislative Affairs Team

Michael received his commission in 1979 via the ROTC program at the Senior Military College of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly known as Virginia Tech. He began as an Air Defense officer, transferred to Ammunition (Ordnance), then to Acquisition. In Acquisition he served in Contracts, Program Management, and finally as a Uniformed Scientist. He retired as a Colonel in 2008 following over 28 years of regular Army service. He currently offers consulting services by teaching [more...]

Patrician Ann Vinson

State Legislative Affairs Team

Tricia comes from a four-generation military heritage with family members that graduated from both the US Naval Academy (grandfather) and West Point (father, 3 brothers, niece and nephew). The first female in her family to join the armed services, she served in Army Aviation for 27 years, as both enlisted, warrant and commissioned ranks in all three components (active, guard & reserve). She served in rotary and fixed wing leader & aviator assignments and as the National Guard’s Mobilization Readiness [more...]

Marleen Varner

VA Liaison (Alternate)

Marlene is the widow of The Rev. Carroll H. Varner, Jr., CDR, USN (Ret), a career Navy Chaplain, veteran of WW II and the Korean War followed by reserve service. Rev. Varner also served 12 years as a Chaplain in the VA drug rehab program. Marleen holds degrees from The College of Wooster and Syracuse University. Her career as a student financial aid administrator in higher education included service at The University of the South, Commonwealth of Kentucky, UNC-Greensboro and Financial Aid Services. [more...]

John Culp, LTC, USA (Ret)

Spouse: (Donna)

Web Curator

John enlisted in the Army in 1972 and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before returning to NC State University and receiving his commission via ROTC in 1978. He served as an Air Defense, Infantry, and Special Forces officer in the U.S., Africa, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. After retirement, he had a second career with the U.S federal government, serving in the U.S., U.K., Latin America, the Middle East, Central Europe, and multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. John continued [more...]

Rick Devereaux, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret)

Spouse: (Elizabeth)

Senior Advisor / Blue Ridge Honor Flight Coordinator

Rick graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was commissioned in 1978. His career spanned 34 years in the Air Force, flying C-5s, KC-135s, and several other aircraft. He retired as a major general in 2012 as the Air Force’s director of operational planning, policy, and strategy at the Pentagon. In retirement, Rick works part time as a consultant, is an Air Force Adjunct Contract Professor, and serves on the boards of several civic and veterans organizations. He and his wife live in Asheville.

Ramona Ritter

Surviving Spouse Liaison

Bio forthcoming

Ed Couser, Lt Col, USAF (Ret)

VA Liaison (Photo & Bio Forthcoming

Jeff Snyder, Col, USAF (Ret)

Spouse: (Paula)

JROTC Coordinator

Jeff had 30 years of operational aircraft maintenance experience with extensive expertise in tactical aircraft maintenance. He commanded three maintenance squadrons and a maintenance group. After retirement in 2008, Jeff became a consultant for a large defense contractor, where he provided in-depth assessments of maintenance operations. Jeff and his wife, Paula, live in north Henderson County, NC

Donna Cantrell Culp, Capt, USAF (Fmr)

Spouse: (John)

Newsletter Editor

Donna graduated from Texas Women’s University in 1980 with a BS in Occupational Therapy (OT). She was a practicing therapist when she received a direct commission into the USAF in 1985, serving in the U.S. and Germany and leaving the service in 1992. She retired from OT after a 23-year career in 2003, worked briefly for the Department of State and had a second career with the CIA 2005-2016, serving in the U.S., the U.K., Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. She now lives with her husband and family dog, Chelsea [more...]

Jerry Bechsta, CDR, USN (Ret)

Spouse: (Joyce)

Chaplain

Mike Covell, CAPT, USN (Ret) (Deceased)

Spouse: (Joanie)

Immediate Past President

Mike attended Tufts University on a ROTC scholarship graduating in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering. After a short tour on a surface ship, he served aboard the nuclear submarines USS Woodrow Wilson, USS Sunfish, USS Ulysses S. Grant, and USS Sand Lance, also serving as nuclear power instructor, Department Head SSBN Security OP-2, Commander Submarine Squadron 22, and Commanding Officer Submarine Training Facility Charleston, SC. He retired in 1991 and worked in nuclear power plants for 10 years. [more...]