New Officers Nominated for 2017

The Virginia Society Nominating Committee has nominnated a slate of officers for 2017 to be voted on at Annual in February

Report of the Nominating Committee
 
2017 Officers Nominated for Election
 
President                     Michael J. Elston, Esq.                       George Washington Chapter
 
1st Vice President        Patrick M. Kelly                                 Thomas Jefferson Chapter
 
2nd Vice President       J. Thomas Whetstone III, PhD           Norfolk Chapter
 
3rd Vice President        William L. Schwetke                           Culpeper Minutemen Chapter
 
Secretary                     R. Wayne Rouse                                 Col. Fielding Lewis Chapter
 
Treasurer                     Frederick N. “Rick” Elofson               Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter
 
Chancellor                   Eric H. Monday                                  Col. George Waller Chapter
 
Chaplain                      Rev. Dr. Roy A. Martin, Jr.               Fort Harrison Chapter           
 
Historian                     Thomas M. Roth III                           George Washington Chapter
 
Surgeon                       Christopher N. “Kirk” Sheap, MD    Fort Harrison
 
Registrar                      David R. Thomas                                George Washington Chapter
 
 
2017-2018 Recommended
 
Trustee                                    Edward W. Truslow                           Williamsburg Chapter
 
Alternate Trustee        Michael J. Elston, Esq.                       George Washington Chapter

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Biographies are included, but only for those nominees who are not currently serving as officers.

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  Thomas M. Roth, III  (“Tom”), of the George Washington Chapter, is nominated for Historian

     Tom is a resident of Alexandria, to which he relocated from North Carolina  approximately thirteen years ago.  He has studied, lived and worked in Virginia off and on for nearly nineteen years. Tom has served as Historian for the George Washington Chapter, VASSAR since 2014.
     He was born and raised in Elkin, on the Yadkin River in Northwest North Carolina. An alumnus of Woodberry Forest School, he received his A.B. in History from Davidson College in 1983. Following graduation from Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D.) in 1986 Tom practiced law in Winston-Salem for many years before relocating to Alexandria.  Tom is currently admitted to the Bar in North Carolina, the District of Columbia, and Virginia (Corporate Counsel) and serves as Senior Counsel with Vornado/Charles E. Smith L.P., a real estate management, brokerage, and development firm based in Arlington. His professional affiliations include membership in the American Corporate Counsel Association and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies.
     He has a long history of civic activity and was recognized as one of “40 Outstanding Young Leaders Under 40” in northwest North Carolina by the Greensboro Jaycees in 2001.  Among other things, he helped to start the North Carolina Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (formerly the Orton Society), serving initially as legal counsel and later as a member of its Board of Trustees and Treasurer.   He also worked with the legal team which assisted the Historic Bethabara Park (site of an 18th Century Moravian settlement in Winston-Salem) in the acquisition and preservation of the sites of the oldest public graveyard in Forsyth County and the largest 18th Century industrial complex in frontier North Carolina, together with a portion of the Great Wagon Road.
     Tom is also an active member of St. Albans Episcopal Church in D.C., where he serves on the Archives and History Committee.  When he is not working  Tom enjoys photography and exploring the natural and historic landscape of northern Virginia and Maryland, by car, foot, and bicycle.
     Through his father, Tom is a descendent of the patriot Edward Shimer who served as a Captain in the Northampton County, Pennsylvania militia and as member of the General Committee or Committee of Safety of Northampton County.  Captain Shimer was one of five brothers who served as officers in the patriot service.
Through his mother, Tom is a descendant of the patriot Henry Jarboe III, of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, who signed Maryland Oath of Fidelity and Support along with his sons in 1778.
     His family is very proud of their patriot roots and a branch of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail runs through the old Roth family homeplace in Elkin, North Carolina on an easement provided by his family.  

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David Thomas, of the George Washington Chapter, is nominated for Registrar

     Compatriot David Thomas was born in Pittsburgh, PA.  With David’s father being a chemical engineer who worked on America’s missile and space programs, David and his family lived in various cities in the U.S. during his formative years.  In 1978, David received a B.A. in Public Administration from the University of Florida.
     David is a retired Regional IT Resource Manager for Lockheed Martin in Herndon, VA, serving previously with General Electric and Martin Marietta, totaling 37 years of service.  In his spare time, David explores Civil War history, with ancestors serving in the PA 62nd Infantry and PA 20th Cavalry.  David also enjoys domestic and international travel visiting 42 states and 32 countries.
     David is married to Carole Thomas, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York. Carole is a honorary member of DACOR, an organization of U.S. Foreign Affairs professionals, located in Washington, D.C., is currently a docent at the historic Pohick Episcopal Church in Lorton, VA, is an historical character interpreter at Gunston Hall, home of Patriot George Mason IV, and currently runs her own business, working as a Music Therapist in Fairfax and Prince William Counties.
     Compatriot David Thomas’s membership in the Sons of the American Revolution is based on his bloodline descent from Patriot George Simmers.  During the Revolution, George Simmers volunteered for service as a private in the Pennsylvania militia, Lancaster County regiment, under Brig. General George Mercer’s “Flying Camp” in August 1776. Patriot Simmers was first garrisoned at Ft. Lee, New Jersey on the Hudson River in 1776, was part of the arduous winter’s march with Gen. George Washington’s force through New Jersey, and was engaged at the Battle of Trenton, and later on the Battle of Brandywine, concluding his enlistment in 1777 by guarding captured Hessian soldiers.

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Bill Schwetke, of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter, is nominated for 3rd Vice-President

Colonel Bill Schwetke is from Texas; graduated from Texas A&M in 1970 with a degree in aerospace engineering; and was commissioned in the Air Force through ROTC.  During 26 years in the Air Force he saw the world as a pilot, staff officer and commander.  Bill has a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from Georgetown and is a graduate of the Air War College.   After the Air Force he settled in Northern Virginia and worked as a pilot for Southwest Airlines for nearly seventeen years.  Bill has dedicated himself to serving the SAR and his church.  He currently is the President of the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter and Editor of the Virginia Dispatches.  He serves on the NSSAR 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, DAR Liaison, and Congress Planning Committees.  In the Virginia Society he is chairman of the Graves Preservation Committee, and a member of the Battle of Great Bridge Commemoration, Communications, DAR Liaison, and 2020 Congress Planning Committees.  Bill is also active in the Color Guard.  He is a Christian and serves as a deacon at Warrenton (VA) Bible Fellowship.  Bill is married to Cat Claunch Schwetke, Regent of the Fauquier Court House Chapter of the DAR.  Bill and Cat have one daughter, Jessica, a member of the DAR, and one son, Sean, a member of the SAR.

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