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by Tom Miller
BVA Administrative Director John Keith Williams has announced
his retirement effective March 31, 2004. John’s announcement
comes after occupying the position for more than 14 years.
John began his career with BVA in January of 1990 following a
27-year career in the United States Marine Corps. He retired from
the Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel, but not before he had served
in all three active Marine Corps divisions. Assignments included
a tour of duty in the Marine Air-Ground Exchange Officer Program,
Executive Officer of Marine Air Base Squadron 24, Director of
Personnel for the Marine Corps Reserve, and as Deputy Inspector
in Quantico, Virginia.
Early on in his career, John was both a rifle platoon commander
and a rifle company commander. He served a total of 34 months
during three tours of duty in Vietnam.
John faced a number of significant challenges since joining BVA,
among them his response to three break-ins at the national headquarters
building within the first ten days of his employment. As a result
of John’s efforts to enhance the building’s security,
the structure is now virtually impregnable.
In 1995, John organized and directed the renovation of the national
headquarters building in preparation for BVA’s 50th anniversary
convention in the Nation’s Capital. John can also be credited
with assisting all BVA regional groups with the updating of their
bylaws and charters. In addition to his duties as Administrative
Director, John has served as the acting Executive Director whenever
necessary.
Needless to say, John has been an integral member of the BVA
headquarters staff and has made significant contributions to the
successful operation of all of the organization’s Washington-based
activities.
John looks forward to spending more time with his family and
continuing his involvement with his church and the Boy Scouts
of America. Although born and raised in Illinois and a graduate
of Southern Illinois University, John will continue living in
Fairfax Station, Virginia. BVA members who attend national conventions
have likely met John’s wife, Jan, and son J.J. All three
will be sorely missed.
The BVA National Board of Directors accepted John’s retirement
and has begun recruitment activities to identify a replacement.
They also approved bringing John to the BVA 59th National Convention
Awards Banquet to recognize his many years of loyal and dedicated
service.
Not long after John Williams announced his retirement as BVA’s
Administrative Director, George Brummell, BVA’s National
Field Service Program (FSP) Director, also announced his intention
to retire from BVA. Effective March 12, George’s retirement
will come shortly before completing 20 years of dedicated service
to blinded veterans.
George first joined the BVA staff in December 1984, based in
Chicago as a Field Service Representative for the Midwestern Region.
A year later he was appointed FSP Director and moved to Washington,
DC, to take up his new position. Three years later, George was
assigned as FSP Representative for the Mid-Atlantic Region and
remained based in the Nation’s Capital. George was again
appointed National Director following the retirement of Bob Brown
in 1999.
George has served faithfully over the past 20 years and has represented
BVA and blinded veterans and their families extremely well. George
has represented BVA on numerous national governmental advisory
committees and has received a number of awards recognizing his
many accomplishments.
George is a native of the eastern shore of Maryland. He enlisted
in the Army in 1962 and, prior to serving in Vietnam, served during
peacetime in Korea. George was blinded in Vietnam in 1966, suffering
total loss of vision.
A graduate of the Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center, George also
completed a bachelor’s degree in social work and completed
courses toward a master’s degree in the same professional
area. Rather than complete his MSW, George opted to begin his
career with BVA. Most recently, he has visited many disabled soldiers
at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, offering encouragement
and counseling. Soldiers blinded in Iraq have been amazed to have
a totally blind person show up in their rooms to lend support.
George plans to spend more time with his wife, Mary, and engage
in some of the traveling they have been delaying due to his commitment
to BVA. George also hopes to be a more active volunteer at Walter
Reed, particularly in assisting military personnel returning from
Iraq.
George will also be greatly missed. The Board has approved initiation
of recruitment efforts to identify a suitable replacement for
George. BVA wishes George every happiness and success in his retirement.
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