Volunteer of the Year Awards
Volunteer of the Year 2023-2024
Ohar, Claudia
Claudia Ohar was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2023-2024 year. Since assuming the role of AGA VA Peninsula Chapter Director of Certification in 2021, Claudia has revitalized the CGFM program, leading to the certification of at least nine individuals after a prolonged period of inactivity. Her dedication to fostering growth and development within the program led her to initiate study groups in 2022, significantly contributing to this success. Despite relocating across the country in 2023, Claudia has balanced her responsibilities as a working mother with her commitment to the chapter. She has adeptly managed the time zone difference to continue supporting candidates, facilitate the study group, and serve on our chapter executive committee. Furthermore, she ensured the organization of study groups for each of the three CGFM exams this year. Claudia has since informed us of her decision to join a new local AGA chapter, and we wholeheartedly wish her success, confident in her ability to replicate this success anywhere she goes!
Volunteer of the Year 2022-2023
Morgan, Melinda
Melinda Morgan was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2022-2023 year. She is our chapter’s lead for the annual AGA Commonwealth PDT, a joint two-day training event co-sponsored by 4 chapters in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our 27th (the first one back in person since the pandemic and our first ever hybrid) had a lot of challenges with the venue, in hiring an a/v contractor and in estimating hospitality room food and beverages. Melinda spent countless hours in nearly every one of our planning committees and ensured communication and coordination between our volunteers and the hotel staff. We are grateful she’s willing to come out of retirement to work so hard as an AGA volunteer! Congratulations Melinda!
Volunteers of the Year 2021-2022
Maddalena, Suzanne
Suzanne Maddalena was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2021-2022 year. She joined AGA in Spring of 2021 as an ASMC member that worked together with us on a PDT. In her first month, she prepared a chapter evaluation survey. As our Webmaster, she revamped our outdated website and has kept it current with information this year. Additionally, she stepped in to be Awards Chairperson ensuring great candidates are recognized by identifying and reaching out to award nominees. She is always willing to help with whatever tasks are at hand and is a joy to work alongside. Congratulations Suzanne!
Ohar, Claudia
Claudia Ohar was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2021-2022 year. Even though she has only been a member of AGA since 2020, she volunteered to become our chapter professional certification director and immediately began leading a CGFM study group. She is the head instructor and cheerleader, sharing her knowledge, motivating the group by example, and cheering candidates on to pass. She generates excitement for the rest of our general membership about getting certified. We’ve already had our first new CGFM in years. She has held lunch and learn outreach sessions to interest active-duty Navy colleagues in obtaining the certification and joining AGA. She is a steady and committed force and lucky for us, already committed to continue to do this next year. Congratulations Claudia!
Volunteer of the Year 2020-2021
Leyeza, Jocelyn "Joy"
Joy Leyeza was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2020-2021 year. Undeterred after having to cancel the AGA Virginia Peninsula Chapter’s Spring 2020 PDT event she organized, Joy capably and enthusiastically took the lead in planning the AGA Virginia Peninsula Chapter’s 2021 Spring Two-Day PDT as a virtual event. Joy nurtured effective working relationships between planning committee members (involving people from a partnering organization) to communicate with speakers and sponsors and quickly establish the PDT agenda. She spent countless hours of her personal time thinking through meticulous details to ensure a well-run PDT. Joy is a past president of the AGA Virginia Peninsula Chapter, who continues to roll up her sleeves and dedicate herself to ensuring chapter members have outstanding local training opportunities. Congratulations Joy!
Volunteer of the Year 2019-2020
Poulter, Lance
Lance Poulter was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2019-2020 year. Since serving as Chapter President for the 2015-2016 year, Lance has played a vital role in keeping the Virginia Peninsula chapter vital. He maintains our chapter website and event sign up system, coordinates outreach to sponsors for the Commonwealth PDT, and mentors and trains new chapter volunteers. He is a quiet but hugely effective leader that gets things done. Congratulations Lance!
Volunteer of the Year 2018-2019
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Bell, Tanya
Tanya Bell was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2018-2019 year. Our chapter Treasurer for a third year, Tanya Bell provides financial discipline and stewardship. She is present in all chapter training events, community service projects, and communications, dedicating hours every week to keeping us accountable. She is capable, has an eye for detail, and adheres to governing rules. She does extra tasks such as advising new board members, picking up refreshments, hauling AGA materials to meetings, and responding to mail. Congratulations Tanya!
Volunteer of the Year 2017-2018
McGinley, Raymond
Raymond McGinley was awarded Volunteer of the Year for the 2017-2018 year. As immediate past chapter president, Raymond helped mentor and assist the new chapter president and played a critical role in providing initial support when conflicts arose. Ultimately, he reassumed the chapter president role when his successor had to move out of the Tidewater region five months into the new AGA year. Despite increasing work obligations, Raymond took the chapter's lead in planning its two day PDT, ensured the chapter had newsletters and monthly meetings, and set up a networking event offering members a free professional headshot. Congratulations Raymond!