Nomination deadline looms

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the Association … (but) be prepared to give up occasional weekend afternoons and some evening hours.”   — Mike Frank

National Board member Mike Frank, 2018 Chairman of the USMCCCA Nominating Committee, reports it’s not too late to volunteer for service for the upcoming CC year (August 2018-August 2019).

Jason Huffine

“Jason Huffine and Melodie Snarr are fresh faces on the slate for Director positions,” said
Frank, “which leaves us with still one vacancy on the Board.”

Huffine, a “stop-loss” staff sergeant who left active duty after Operation Iraqi Freedom I, had also deployed to Mogadishu, Somalia. A former publisher-owner in Eastern North Carolina, he has in recent years specialized in crisis communications, change management and executive communications counsel in both the government and private sectors. He graduated from the Military Photojournalism Course at Syracuse and holds a bachelors degree and an MBA from Phoenix University.

Melodie Snarr

Snarr is an active duty sergeant stationed at Camp Lejeune and was previously assigned to DMA. The new mother says that “being involved in your professional association is a natural.” Melodie garnered the Corps’ “Best New Broadcaster” award in 2015 and, in high school, edited both the yearbook and the student newspaper along with being captain of the color guard. Sgt. Snarr is enrolled in off-duty education in pursuit of a marketing degree from Florida Tech.

The national officer incumbents, Keith Oliver (president), Shawn Rhodes (vice president), Christine Whiting (secretary) and Rick Lavers (treasurer)
have thrown their hats in the ring for an additional year, “but any duly-nominated CC, including self-nominated) can run,” Frank said.

Deadline for nominations is close of business May 15.

“Candidates must be dues-current, regular or associate (not affiliate) members of the Association.” he said. “And if you are nominating a fellow member, please confirm that he or she is willing to serve.”

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the Association,” said Frank.

“My experience is that, once elected, we try to make committee and other assignments fit individuals’ talents, experience and preferences. That’s not always going to work out one hundred percent,” he said. “And be prepared to give up occasional weekend afternoons and some evening hours, especially during peak periods such as our annual awards program deadlines and ramp-up toward the annual meeting.”

To make a nomination or to contact the Nominating Chair with questions or concerns, send an e-mail to hq@usmccca.org or phone 352-448-9167.

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