Candidate bios on the absentee ballot
Candidate Biographical Information
Fred Curtis Lash, APR: Candidate for President – 2009-2010
In April 1983, I was the director of the Public Affairs Bureau—Beirut, assigned to the 22nd MAU. I had a team of one other officer and eight enlisted Marine photojournalists and we were stationed at the airport. I made fairly frequent trips to the Embassy, usually paying calls on John Reid, the Embassy PAO. When the explosion rocked the Embassy on April 18th we had just finished a press conference at the airport. When we ascertained what had occurred, I dispatched four of my Marines to head to the Embassy and begin documenting the incident and its aftermath. That team ended up staying in the city (at the Commodore Hotel) for several days. We also assisted the State Department when Secretary of State George Schultz conducted his “shuttle diplomacy” trips to Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Damascus, set up press conferences, arranged interviews, etc. In July my team was relieved by Major Bob Jordan and another group of Marines.
I remained in the Corps until August 1986. Since then I have been assisting various Marine-related associations, plus providing advice and counsel to several Commandants. I am a Life member of the USMCCCA, the Marine Corps Association and the National Marine Corps Council. I am currently serving as a Press Officer in the Office of Press Relations, Bureau of Public Affairs in the U.S. Department of State.
Kate Stark: Candidate for Vice President – 2009-2010
Kate Stark joined the Marine Corps in 1981 and upon completion of DINFOS, was sent to MCRD, San Diego as a public affairs specialist. She attended the Military Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University during 1984-85 and was assigned to the Fourth Marine Division in New Orleans with a newly created MOS of 4322 (Photographic Journalist).
Stark was a contributing editor when the Continental Marine won a Thomas Jefferson Award for Best News Magazine. Other awards include the USMCCCA Distinguished Performance (now called Merit) awards in: 1984- Honorable Mention, feature photo; Honorable Mention, feature story; 1986- First Place, feature story; 1987- First place and Honorable Mention, photojournalism.
She left active duty Nov. 30, 1987. In 1990 she joined Leatherneck Magazine as associate editor and then art director. She later worked as news editor, graphics editor and assistant managing editor of graphics and photography at several newspapers. She is currently exploring freelance graphic design, photography and publishing.
A life member of the USMCCCA, she has attended 12 conferences since 1982, and was on the board of directors from 1992-93. She received the Donald L. Dickson Memorial Award in 2001 for putting www.USMCCCA.org on the internet. In November 2008 she returned as webmaster to the ailing site, and is currently acting webmaster.
Stark believes that by utilizing technology better, the association can reduce costs and benefit CCs better in the future. Her goal is to entice more active duty participation, and help with ideas to make chapters stronger and more meaningful to its members. Her daily objective is to keep the website as current as possible.
Christine M. Whiting: Candidate for Secretary – 2009-2010
Christine Whiting is currently serving her twelfth term as national secretary for the USMCCCA.
She is a retired gunnery sergeant with 20 years in Marine Corps public affairs. During her active duty career, she held various billets such as photojournalist, editor, PANCO, press chief, community relations chief and internal information chief.
She has won three Distinguished Performance Awards from the USMCCCA and was the second recipient of the Ronald Lyons Award for photojournalism from the Marine Corps Association and Leatherneck magazine.
In addition, three publications she worked on earned Division of Public Affairs Merit Awards; the Okinawa Marine also went on to take the Thomas Jefferson Award in its category.
Whiting attended the Navy Photojournalism Program at Syracuse University in 1981-82. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communication at the State University of New York College at Oneonta in May 2001.
Her hope is for the Association to continue to grow and thrive. It should continue to nurture our young warriors while revering our “tribal elders.”
Tom Kerr: Candidate for Treasurer – 2009-2010
(Note: Tom Kerr was on a cruise when the ballots were sent to the printer. This is prepared by his Executive Director) Tom Kerr has served as Treasurer of both the Association and Foundation since 2005. He
Has given energetically of his time and expertise to the programs of the USMCCCA.
As National Treasurer of the USMCCCA and USMCCCA Foundation, Tom has been outstanding in his pursuit of ways to enhance those funds and to do so in a way that is legal and in accordance with established business practices. He has initiated a procedure for reporting the accounting of debits and expenditures that is complete, accurate, timely and easy to understand.
Tom has also led the transition of funds accounting and separation of the Association and the Foundation. This has been a daunting task but one in which Tom has excelled. Both the Association and Foundation are on solid ground thanks to his untiring efforts.
In addition to Tom’s efforts as Treasurer of the Association and until recently the Foundation, he has sponsored, for the Florida Chapter, yearly cruises to various locations in the Caribbean. He makes all the arrangements, including coordination with the cruise line, all cruisers, hotel, transportation and the myriad of tasks associated with successful cruising. In addition, Tom gives his commission and some of the monies that would accrue to his company to the associations of those cruising. Most of these funds have gone to the USMCCCA Foundation through the Florida Chapter of the USMCCCA.
Frank Lee: Candidate for Board of Directors – 2009-2011
Frank Lee joined the Marine Corps in 1964 and following basic training was assigned to the photo section at Camp
Pendleton. He started as a still photographer and after one year transferred to motion pictures. Following mopic school at Fort Monmouth, NJ. Lee returned to Camp Pendleton. By summer 1966 he had fast-tracked to become film editor, (then the MOS 4691).
On January 1967 Lee reported to 3rdMarDiv Photo, Vietnam as a still photo and mopic photographer. While with a platoon, Lee was forced to abandon his camera for the unit’s radios, calling in an air strike that prevented a NVA company from overrunning their position. That earned him the Bronze Star with Combat V and Purple Heart.
Lee completed his Vietnam tour at the Combat Information Bureau, MACV–Danang, continuing on combat assignments and co-producing a weekly television series, “Night Life Danang” for AFTV, Marble Mountain. Lee’s last year in the Marine Corps was at Film Archives, Quantico, Virginia as a film editor. He left active duty in 1968, completing his studies at the University of Southern California in 1974.
Lee is an honorary life member of the USMCCCA. He is serving his second term as vice president, newsletter editor and board member of the Los Angeles CC Chapter.
Lee’s experience as a co-founder and CEO for a national healthcare company, dissemination officer for a multi-million dollar federal project at USC, and board affiliation with several nonprofits brings a unique skill set to the Association. Today’s economy has put unprecedented demands on nonprofits. In order to survive Lee believes his experience will be an invaluable strategic asset.
Victoria Conkel Turney: Candidate for Board of Directors – 2009-2011
I am asking for your vote to serve a second term as a member of the USMCCCA board of directors. I am a retired Gunnery Sergeant, having served from 1976 to 1996. I am also a Life Member, USMCCCA. Since my retirement in metro Atlanta, I have been the Prime Power Services’ Director of Corporate Relations. (www.primepower.com)
After graduating from recruit training I was given the illustrator MOS. After my first reenlistment I was stationed at the 4th District headquarters in Philadelphia. Working with the District PANCOs as an assistant editor, photo lab tech and eventually became the RS Philly PANCO. I saw the light and lat-moved into the 43 field. That is when my fond memories of joining your ranks began.
From the many duty stations and assignments I was then assigned, the memories of fellow 43s still add a smile when I recall those good ol’ days.
I joined the CCs early on as a life member. On active duty the Corps paid for my conference attendance Since then the friendships, bonds and respect of those that came before me that now keep me coming back each year. These same feelings make me want to continue representing you on the board.
My vision for our association is on the future…the future members….those that have come after me that need to be inspired and motivated to the mission and goals of this association that are the life blood to our MOS…and to take it to the next level. Join me and vote for the future.