Founder, President & CEO
Currently she resides in Front Royal Va and has two sons: one, graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. And her youngest graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelors in Computer Science. Both happily following their hearts and off to great career starts.
Board of Directors
Matt is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and served in the Navy for 34 years, retiring in 2019. He flew the P-3C Orion maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft throughout his career and commanded at multiple levels, to include a P-3C squadron and a P-3C aircraft wing, preparing and deploying squadrons to the Western Pacific, Arabian Gulf, and the Mediterranean Sea area of operations.
As a flag officer, he commanded maritime patrol and reconnaissance units assigned to Bahrain and Japan; naval aviation maintenance and supply support units in the Western Pacific, Arabian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea; the maritime patrol and reconnaissance community of fifteen squadrons, leading the transition of the P-3C Orion to P-8A Poseidon aircraft and the Triton unmanned aircraft system; U. S. Naval Forces in Japan; six naval installations in Japan and the Indian Ocean; and as the deputy commander at U.S. Pacific Fleet for his last assignment.
Additionally, he served as an assistant navigator on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga; a personnel assignment officer at the Bureau of Naval Personnel; on the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff and Navy Staff; and as the executive assistant to commander, U. S. Transportation Command. He earned his master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
Matt also volunteers at the George C. Marshall International Center and is a member of the Japan US Military Program – Sasakawa USA. He resides in Aldie, Virginia, with his wife Julie, and they are the proud parents of six wonderful children.
Major General Bice retired from the U. S. Marine Corps in 2002. Prior to his retirement, General Bice served as Commanding General, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA.
Major General David F. Bice was born in Zanesville, Ohio and enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1968. He attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program in April 1969. He received his Bachelors Degree from Pepperdine University, and he holds a Masters Degree in Business from Central Michigan University. His formal military education includes the Infantry Officer Advanced Course at Fort Benning, Ga., and the National War College, where he studied as a Senior Research Fellow.
General Bice has commanded Marines at every level from platoon to division. He served as a rifle platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Republic of Vietnam. He led companies in 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division; 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division; and 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division. During 1986-1988, he commanded 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. He commanded the 9th Marine Regiment from 1992 to 1994. He commanded the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan from 1994-1995. During 1999- 2001 he served as Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Europe. His assignments outside Marine Corps Operational Forces have included: Series Commander, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC; Enlisted Promotions Plans Officer, Manpower Dept., Headquarters Marine Corps; Chief, European Division, J-5, The Joint Staff; Commanding General, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Director, Marine Corps Staff and Deputy Commander, NATO Joint Headquarters South Center in Larissa, Greece.
General Bice also served as an exchange officer with the United Kingdom Royal Marines and is a graduate of the Royal Marines Commando Course.
In 2004, General Bice was recalled to active duty in support of the Global War on Terrorism, where he served as the Inspector General of the Marine Corps. He returned to retired status in 2007 completing over 36 years of active service. His personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Navy Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal with Bronze Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In retirement, Major General Bice supports the Old Bridge United Methodist Church in Woodbridge, VA and is a volunteer coordinator with the Prince William County Salvation Army’s monthly food giveaway, where over 5 tons of produce are distributed to needy families in the community. He serves on the Prince William County Salvation Army Advisory Council. He is a member of several military fraternal organizations and is President of the Third Marine Division Association and Chairman, National Marine Corps Council.
Major General Bice resides in Woodbridge, VA and enjoys spending time on his farm in Southeastern Ohio . His late wife of 46 years, Charlene, passed away in 2013. He has three grown daughters and six grandchildren.
Constantine Ferssizidis is a Business Relationship Manager at TD Bank with nineteen (19) plus years of experience in retail and commercial banking sales and management. A Vice President, who joined TD Bank in November 2011, Mr. Ferssizidis manages a portfolio of small business and commercial banking client relationships throughout the Greater Washington Region.
Mr. Ferssizidis is highly active in local community sponsorships and support. In addition, he has eleven (11) plus years of experience serving on various community boards.
Mr. Ferssizidis is not a Veteran; he is a relative of Veterans and an Allie. At TD Bank, Mr. Ferssizidis Co-Lead the TD Salutes Business Resource Group for the Legacy Mid-South Market, which is the Veteran pillar of TD Bank’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. His Lead role is voluntary and has allowed him the opportunity to work with various Veteran Community Partners over the years, including Northern Virginia Veterans Association. More importantly, this role has given him the opportunity to better understand the needs and challenges that our local Veterans and Veteran families face.
A Potomac, MD, resident, Mr. Ferssizidis is a 2003 graduate of the American College of Greece in Athens, Greece, majoring in Finance and Economics. He is a native of the Princeton, N.J. area, and attended two years of high school in Burlington County, N.J. and completed his last two years in Athens, Greece.
Paula is a retired Major with the North Carolina Army National Guard where she served 13 1/2 years as both a Signal and Maintenance Officer. After 10 years of active duty she attended OCS where she received her commission. Paula holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Methodist University in Fayetteville NC.
Paula currently resides in Fayetteville NC with her husband John and son Gregory a middle school student.
Mr. Kirk is Principal at Kirk’s WriteWorks, a business through which he serves organizations via consulting, governance, brand awareness and freelance writing. In 2023 he retired from a 28-year career with Cambridge Associates, LLC, a global investment firm, during which span he served as a Managing Director and executive consultant to major endowments, foundations, and healthcare organizations on all aspects of asset management policy and implementation.
Mr. Kirk has also worked in the banking profession in Northern Virginia managing commercial and consumer branch activities and serving on a merger &acquisition team. Prior to joining the private sector, he served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, with deployments to the Far East, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Scandinavia. He rose to the rank of Captain.
Mr. Kirk is a distinguished graduate of the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, VA. He also holds a MBA degree from the University of Virginia – Darden Graduate School of Business. He also earned the Chartered Financial Analyst charter from the CFA Institute.
Active in non-profit governance, Mr. Kirk has served on many boards, currently including the Executive Committee of the American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax and on the Board of Governors of the Friends of Preston Library in Lexington, VA. He resides in Fairfax, Virginia with his wife Judy.
Leadership
Community Outreach Relations Advisor
Victor S. Angry, retired Army (Active Guard and Reserve) National Guard Command Sergeant Major with over twenty-three years of active federal service; Entrepreneur; PWC Board of Supervisors, Volunteer Firefighter, father, brother and husband. It was in the Army where Victor developed a love for leadership, fitness and the commitment to lead and serve others.
Victor was the first African American to hold the position as Command Sergeant Major of the entire Army National Guard. During a challenging and changing time in leadership, he was responsible for more than 368,200 Soldiers in all 50 states, 3 territories and the District of Washington on. He started his company, A is for ANGRY LLC where he places the same fervent energy, he put into working for others, to work for himself doing what he loves to do which is motivating and inspiring others. Through A is for ANGRY, Victor provides Professional Speaking Services that focus on developing Leaders by using the very skills that propelled him into achieving his leadership goals and providing organizational Leadership Training that focus on group improvements through team development.
He sees the value in connecting liked-minds together to provide a seamless, successful transitional environment. Community is essential to him and he enthusiastically believes that helping others become successful is the key to our own success, as well as the key to maintaining thriving communities. Which is why in the middle of a very full life, he represents the Neabsco district of Prince William County on the Board of Supervisors, gives time away from his family volunteering as a volunteer firefighter with the Dale City Volunteer Fire Department and serves proudly on NOVA Veterans Association Advisory Council.
Victor is married to Michelle, they have two children Dominique and Alexxyus.
Director of Services
Melissa Dargis is the Director of Services at the Northern Virginia Veterans Association where she oversees the Support Services and Membership Departments. She is a non-profit professional with diverse experience in project management, administration, human services, impact analysis and community outreach.
Melissa provides mission-focused comprehensive veteran support and advocacy. She is dedicated to fostering collaboration between individuals, businesses, government, and community organizations to support veterans and their families. She especially enjoys working directly with veteran clients to connect them with the resources they need.
Melissa earned her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Shenandoah University. She also holds a Bachelor of Art in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois.
Melissa is the wife of a Navy veteran and the daughter of an Army veteran. Her personal knowledge of military life brings a compassionate perspective of the needs in the veteran community. Melissa and her family reside in Fauquier County, VA.
Office Manager
Northern Virginia Veterans Association where she provides general office support for our staff and volunteers, by assisting with various projects, outreach and a bit bookkeeping for the ARPA grant. With previous experience working in HR for over 12 years, she brings a multitude of skills of office management from various settings such as non-profits and a government contractor.
Crystal has volunteered and worked with the elderly in the past demonstrating her heart and dedication to help others and she looks forward to being able to help our veterans!
Genevieve Nystrom is a part-time Support Services Specialist with over 15 years of experience as an instructor, trainer, and quality assurance specialist, working across both the public and private sectors in various project management roles. Her current focuses include training, program process improvements, outreach, and developing communication plans. She also has experiences with developing and directing child and youth programs and instructing in various university settings. Genevieve is passionate about learning and educating others. Her husband is a decorated combat veteran, they have 4 children, and love to travel.
Hi all, my name is Tyler and I’m excited to be a part of the NOVA Veterans Association group! I am from a small town right outside of Charlottesville, VA. I have my Masters degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Alabama. I have worked in the mental health field in a variety of roles (i.e. support services, counseling, case management, etc) over the last 9 years specializing in cognitive skill building. I’m a big sports fanatic (any and all), I have two kids under 5, and when able, enjoy hiking. I hope to bring a plethora of knowledge, professionalism, and resource material to be able to help our clientele as best as possible.
Lindsay King is a part-time Support Services and Outreach Specialist with over 15 years of experience advising veterans and active-duty service members in a variety of roles. The majority of her experience has been focused on veterans pursuing higher education, accessing benefits, JST requests, and corrections, and furthering the acceptance of military experience for transferrable credit. She is excited to bring her many years of experience to this role and focus on expanding the scope and impact of the NOVA Veterans Association through outreach campaigns. She and her husband have a 6-year-old son.
Community Advisor & Support Specialist
Since retiring from the US Army, in 1989, Forrest has been employed in support of the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Currently, he is the Program Manager for NNSA’s Enterprise-wide Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Program.
Forrest is an avid motorcyclist and is very active in veteran oriented volunteer programs. He is the Assistant State Coordinator for the Missing In America Project in Virginia, where he locates, verifies eligibility and sees to the internment of the unclaimed cremains of veterans and their eligible dependents. He is the Past Director, and Assistant Director, of the American Legion Riders of Northern Virginia, with its 15 Chapters and 400+ members.
The Daughters of the American Revolution recognized Forrest as their 2016 Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award for the State of Virginia and the US Eastern Division. Additionally, Forrest was presented with the National Parks Service Centennial Volunteer Challenge Award for 2016.
Senior Grant Writer
During his 25-year career as an AF Security Forces Officer, Dick served at a number of locations throughout the world, including Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, Hickham AFB, HI, Langley AFB VA, Comiso AB, Italy, RAF Bentwaters, England, and two tours at the Pentagon, where he retired in 1994. He then began working for contractors providing security and intelligence services to government agencies, rising to the position of Senior Vice President with ManTech International Corporation before retiring again in 2009.
Dick moved to the Celebrate Active Adult Community in Fredericksburg VA that year, and immediately became active in community affairs. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Celebrate Facilities Committee. Prior to coming to NOVA Veterans, he was also the Celebrate Veterans Group Fundraising Chair, gaining valuable experience and expertise in writing and submitting grant applications.
Dick has a BS degree in Basic Sciences from the US Air Force Academy and a MS degree in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. He and his wife of 36 years, Fran, have two children and two grandchildren.
Volunteer Manager
Retired from Fairfax Water 28 years of Service
Born in Mendoza, Argentina and is fluent in Spanish
Resides in Oak Hill VA
Married to Carol for 32 years and have 2 daughters – Gabrielle, attending James Madison University, and Alexandra a senior at Oakton High School
Motivated to use his Organizational skills and accomplish the Missions given
Hispanic Advisor
Diana Paguaga’s professional life grew from a solid educational base as a Fulbright Scholar at American University. She holds an MBA from Xavier, which offered a major in multinational business—knowledge she put to good use with the World Bank, the Inter American Development Bank, and international consulting. She expanded her technical and financial management capabilities with Oracle Corporation, and counts many Fortune 500 telecommunications companies as former clients.
Fluent in English, Spanish, she supported the expansion of Oracle business in the Caribbean and Latin America for several firms, including one specializing in the introduction of technology based electronic health records and related financial concerns. In the US, these health issues evolved into major healthcare initiatives, one of which is the Affordable Care Act (ACA, better known as Obamacare).
After extensive international travel and account management, Ms. Paguaga changed from global operations to business relationships with Humana, the third largest health insurance provider in the U.S. and other companies like Aetna. Recognized as an expert working with the senior markets, she carried the senior market knowledge into real estate with Long and Foster, specializing in Senior Housing. At present she is an independent broker and specializes in selling Medicare Advantage Plans and Supplemental Plans, as well as ACA enrollment. Ms. Paguaga retains extensive networks in multiple business environments, and currently sits as the Chairperson of the Hispanic Council, Prince William Chamber of Commerce; Public Relations for BNI Prince William Business Builder’s chapter; serves as vice chair of the Prince William Salvation Army Advisory Council, member of NOVAVets.org, member of Beacon for Literacy among others.
Veteran Affairs Advisor
Rich Anderson is a native of Roanoke, VA, graduated in 1979 from Virginia Tech, and served for 30 years in the United States Air Force before retiring as a colonel in 2009.
Over the course of his military career, Rich served as a Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) combat crew commander (Little Rock AFB AR) and as a Minuteman II ICBM squadron operations officer (Whiteman AFB MO). His headquarters tours included service at HQ Strategic Air Command (Offutt AFB NE), HQ US Atlantic Command (Norfolk NAS VA), HQ US Pacific Command (Camp Smith HI), HQ US Air Force (The Pentagon, Washington DC), and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (The Pentagon, Washington DC).
After retirement, Rich was elected to represent the 80,000 citizens of the 51st House District (Prince William County) in the Virginia General Assembly for eight years. While there, he chaired the House Committee on Science and Technology and sat as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the House General Laws Committee, and the House Transportation Committee.
Rich also chaired the Joint House-Senate Military and Veterans Caucus, the clearing house for legislation that affects 800,000 Virginia veterans. In addition, he chaired the Virginia War Memorial Board of Trustees and sat as a member of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services, the Virginia WWI and WWII Anniversary Commemorative Commission, and the Governor’s Commission on Military Installations and Defense Activities.
His non-military and veteran boards and commissions included chairmanship of the Virginia Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS), chairmanship of the Virginia Commission on Civics Education, member of the Virginia State Crime Commission, and member of the Virginia Commission on Youth.Rich holds an FAA commercial pilot certificate with 2,100 flying hours and also chaired the Virginia General Assembly Aviation Caucus,
Rich holds a BA degree in Political Science from Virginia Tech and an MA degree in Public Administration from Webster University. He is an in-resident graduate of the Air War College,Air Command and Staff College, and Armed Forces Staff College.
Rich and his wife, Ruth M. Anderson, reside in Woodbridge VA and are the parents of three children. Ruth is a retired 21-year military veteran, commander, and Air Force Nurse Corps leader. She was elected in 2015 as the Occoquan Supervisor on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors.
Community Legal Liaison
Mr. May generally focuses his practice on business litigation, employment law, domestic relations/family law, and criminal law. He is licensed to practice in all courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Mr. May is fluent in Spanish and has assisted the Firm in numerous litigation matters where such fluency has been required.
In addition to his work as an attorney, Mr. May spent nine years (2007-2016) serving his home community as an elected member of the Board of County Supervisors in Prince William County, Virginia. In this capacity, he helped oversee the budget for Virginia’s second largest county of almost 450,000 residents. During his tenure in public service, Mr. May has been known as a tireless advocate for his constituents, and he brings this same passion to representing his clients, no matter how big or small their case.
Chief Technical Officer
Trent has spent over twenty-six years working in the IT field as a Microsoft consultant, trainer, small business owner, and a cybersecurity professional with vast experience in several major industries including Manufacturing, Financial, Health care, Retail, Federal/State/Local government, and Education. He also has many years in leadership roles as team leader and project lead for various consultancies.
His technical specialty lies in Microsoft cloud and on-premises systems and holding a plethora of certifications and a deep portfolio of successful projects involving Identity Systems, Security Controls, Microsoft Exchange, Azure, and Office 365 solutions. In addition to this, he has the proven capability to design, implement, and support solutions for clients, having led several projects and teams on numerous occasions. Additionally, he has also architected numerous projects including competitive email migrations including Domino/Notes, GroupWise, and Google to Microsoft email platforms.
For over a decade Trent was a Microsoft trainer delivering public and private, dedicated classes for organizations such as Best Buy, Symantec, Wachovia/Wells Fargo, Air Force, DISA, DCMA, and the IRS.
Trent currently resides in the Raleigh-Durham area with his wife Jennifer and 3 teenagers, plus one adult son who is working for a major pharmaceutical in the Triangle. We enjoy vacationing at beaches/lakes, snow skiing/boarding, and concerts.