Lourdes (Alfie) Alvarado-Ramos

Alfie Alvarado serves as the Deputy Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.  She is responsible for the day to day agency operations.  She is the department’s health officer and represents the agency locally and nationally in all matters related to veterans’ health. 

Alfie was born in Puerto Rico and served 22 years on active duty retiring in August 1993 as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Washington.  During her military career, she was the recipient of numerous awards and decorations to include the Legion of Merit, Order of Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Meritorious Service Medals. 

Her experience and education center in the management of medical service delivery and human resources.  She is a graduate of the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive Program, the University of Washington Executive Management Program, and holds a Nursing Home Administrator’s license, having previously managed two state veterans’ homes in Washington State.

Alfie Alvarado is the Chair of the Governor’s Affirmative Action Policy Committee and a member of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Minority Veterans Committee.  She serves on the boards of directors of the Madigan Foundation and Armed Forces Veterans Homes Foundation.  In addition, she is a member of the Resident Councils of Washington Advisory Board, Hispanic Women’s Network, and the National Association of Female Executives.

She has received numerous local, state, and national awards including the Governor’s Distinguished Management Leadership Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award for women in the military from the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).  Alfie Alvarado resides in Olympia, Washington.

Jan Buchanan

Jan Buchanan, MSW, MC is the Women Veterans Program Manager for VA Puget Sound.  She is also the lead Women Veterans Program Manager for VISN 20 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska).  She has a master’s in social work from the University of Washington and a master’s in counseling from Seattle University.

Robin was born in Seattle, WA.  She’s from a military family – her father and other family members served in the U.S. Coast Guard.  She served 21 years of active duty retiring in September 2002.  Her military background is in Search and Rescue and Intelligence and Law Enforcement.  Her military assignments took her around the world such as Cuba, Caribbean and Europe.  During her military career she served as a Radio Operator and Communications technician serving aboard ships and land units.   Robin is recipient of numerous awards and commendations such as Meritorious Team Commendations, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Special Operations Service Medal.

Robin currently lives in Shelton and has a small business making jewelry.

Quindola has brought with her 25 plus years of experience in the military, including service as a battalion commander for a logistical support battalion.  She comes from a family of military veterans with her mother and father both being army veterans as well as her husband and now her daughter who is currently serving in IRAQ. 

Quindola has very eclectic background and brings to the table a wealth of knowledge in many areas to include administration and management of small to medium organizations.  Quindola utilizes her leadership experience to assist small organizations and non-profits with business mapping and strategic planning.

Sharon Kirkpatrick
Vice President

• Master of Arts, Human Development
• Specialty, Educational Leadership
• Small Business Owner “When Hearts are Open, Bars Unlock”
• Facilitator, U.S. Department of Labor, WISE UP curriculum
•  Adjunct Faculty, Human Services, Western WA University
  (Olympic College campus).  “Non-profit Management”, Sociology, and Human Development classes. 
•  Instructor, Washington Corrections Center for Women, Interaction Transition Class
• Boy Scouts Scoutreach Volunteer
• Selected as 2006 Volunteer of the Year, Boy Scouts Chief Seattle Council, presented by Mayor Bozeman at Bremerton Convention Center
• 1999-2003, Girl Scouts Beyond Bars (GSBB) Coordinator, GS Seattle Council
• 2003 - Received the Golden Tennis Shoe Award from Senators Patty Murray and Hillary Clinton for creation of GSBB in WA State
• 1974-1999 U.S. Department of Labor,  Women’s Bureau, Administrator (retired)
•  Awarded the NAACP’s Benjamin Hooks Award
• 1978-2003 -Served 24 years in U.S. Naval Reserve – mobilized into active duty after 9/11/01 for one year (2001/02); retired in January 2003.
• 2003 – Received Navy Achievement Medal
• June 1999 - Obtained Master of Arts Degree, Human Development, Pacific Oaks College-- Thesis:  “Children of Incarcerated Parents: When Hearts are Open, Bars Unlock”

• Employed and volunteered for over 30 years with organizations specializing in women’s employment issues, community resources, children of incarcerated parents, and women/families in transition

• Rotary member, Kingston, WA (Recently sponsored group of Korean Rotary members and served as mentor to Korean delegation)

Wendy
Ligon-Chapman
President

Wendy Ligon-Chapman serves as a citizen soldier in the Washington Army National Guard, where she holds the rank of First Sergeant.  As a civilian, she works as a Program Manager for Intel Corporation in DuPont, WA.  She is responsible for supporting the manufacturing of early Reference Design Vehicles in a Research and Development environment.

Wendy is originally from Miami Beach, Florida.  She joined the Army right after high school, and served on active duty for 10 years  on assignments that included Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Darmstadt, Germany, and Ft. Lewis, Washington.  In January of 1993, she decided to leave the Active Army, joined the Washington Army National Guard.  This enabled her to return to school full-time, while allowing her to continue to serve her country.  During her military career, she has been the recipient of numerous awards and decorations to include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and NATO Medal.

While her experience and education span multiple fields, they all converge in management and human resources.  She graduated from The Evergreen State College with a Bachelor of Arts, and received her Master of Arts from the University of Phoenix in Organizational Management.

Wendy recently returned from an 18-month mobilization in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.  She resides in Lakewood, Washington.

Command Master Chief Dorothy M. Mahieu is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. She enlisted in the Navy in January 1980. After completion of basic training, she reported to Radioman "A" School prior to reporting to her first tour of duty at Naval Communications Area Master Station, in Norfolk, Virginia.

In June 1980, she reported to Naval Communications Station Harold E. Holt, Exmouth, Western Australia and was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class. In 1982, she reported to Naval Communications Area Master Station, Guam, and Marianas Islands.

In 1985, Command Master Chief Mahieu reported to Commander, Submarine Group NINE Staff, at Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. She next reported to USS DIXON (AS 37) in San Diego, California where she served as the Leading Petty Officer for the Communications Department and Submarine Group FIVE Staff Message Center. During that tour she was advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class.

In 1991, she reported to Naval Facility, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington as a Chief Petty Officer. In 1995, after a very successful tour, Command Master Chief Mahieu volunteered to serve onboard the USS BLUERIDGE (LCC 19) in Yokosuka, Japan where she advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer.

In 1998, Command Master Chief Mahieu volunteered to serve as a Recruit Division Commander at the Navy’s only boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois where she advanced to Master Chief Petty Officer. While there she earned the Master Training Specialist designation and was selected to further serve the Navy as a Command Master Chief.

In 1999, she attended the Senior Enlisted Academy and reported to Electronic Attack Squadron ONE THREE EIGHT as the Command Master Chief. On this tour, she made two Western Pacific deployments onboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74).

In August 2002, CMDCM Mahieu reported to serve as the Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing Ten, Command Master Chief where she served over 16,000 sailors. In 2005, she reported as the Command Master Chief to Patrol Squadron FOUR SIX where she made a quad-site P-3 deployment to FIFTH and SEVENTH FLEETS in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism.

In April 2008, she reported to her current assignment as Command Master Chief of Naval Recruiting District Seattle, Washington.

Command Master Chief Mahieu’s personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards) and various unit awards and ribbons. She has also earned a BA in Business Administration.

Robin Murdock

In my current position I serve as the Veterans Administrations Supportive Housing Case Manager (VASH). I am responsible for identifying, screening, and completing psycho social assessments for homeless veterans. as the only case manager in pierce county, my duties include coordinating the issuance of all section 8 vouchers with Public Housing Agencies in Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap counties. My work allows me the freedom to create new relationships with community organization that support homeless veterans acquire services that will improve their lives. I have worked independently and gained the trust of many community partners and the respect of my follow veterans. 

Before coming to the VA, I worked as a child welfare social worker for Children and Family Services and as a psychiatric Social Worker for Western State Hospital’s Child Study and Treatment Center.

I was born in Brooklyn, New York; I joined the Army 2 years after completing High School. I served 20 years on active duty retiring in 2003. During my military career I served as the assistance to the Division Transportation Officer (DTO), in Stuttgart Germany, instructed the Unit Movement Officers Course for I Corps, Ft. Lewis, 3 yrs ad a Drill Instructor at Ft. Leonard, Missouri.  My awards include Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals, and Army Achievement Medals.

I received much of my formal education while serving in the military, which allowed me the opportunities to attend school in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. I received my Associate of Liberal Arts Degree in Rotterdam, the Netherlands my Bachelor of Science Degree with a certificate in management communication in Heidelberg, Germany, and my Masters of Social Work Degree from the University of Washington. I currently am working towards a PhD in clinical Social Work with a concentration in Family Interventions.

My professional training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Recognizing Personality Disorders, Risk Assessments, Suicide Assessments, Combat Stress and PTSD in returning War Veterans and their Families.

I am an active member of the Pierce County Homeless Coalition, National Association of Social Workers.  I participate on the advisory board for the homes of Naomi Ruth and Boaz, and the incarcerated veterans program.

I believe it is important to invest in one’s own self growth through volunteerism, and challenging projects that cause one to think in terms of social change, for me new challenges, being open to change, and having a strong desire to help others succeed are prerequisites for continued success.    

Liza Narciso

Liza Narciso serves as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.  She is currently our representative for the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators.

Liza was born in the Philippines and enlisted in the Army in Hawaii on February 1982.  She attended basic training at Fort Dix, New Jersey and her advance training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Liza was assigned to the following duty stations:  Fort Leonard wood, Missouri and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.  She served from 1982-1988. 

Her experience and education center in the Human Resources and Payroll.  She is a graduate of the Perpetual Help College in the Philippines and Central Texas College.  Liza’s work experience ranges from Collection Officer, Bank Single Vendor’s Service Insurance Representative, College Admissions Clerk, Assistant Registrar, Fiscal Technician, and Fiscal Analyst.

During her military career, she was awarded:  Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal and a graduate of Non-Commissioned Officer Primary Leadership School.

Kathy Nylen

Served honorably for 16 years in the United States Navy from June 1978 to Oct 1994 as a Dental Technician, Second Class.

Active member of The American Legion holding following offices:

•  Commander Post 58, Monroe 1998 – 2000
•  District Commander, Second District 2001 – 2003
•  Dept Service Officer (DSO) 2004 – 2008
•  National System Worth Saving Taskforce Member 2007 – present
•  President, National Association of DSO’s 2008 – 2009
•  Director VIP, Honor Society of Women Legionnaires
•  National Sky Pilot, Honor Society of Women Legionnaires

Heavily involved in Veteran Advocacy as an employee of The American legion Service Division from 2001 – 2008.  Assisted hundreds of veterans receive their benefits earned from the Department of Veterans Affairs

Since August 2008, continue to work in veterans advocacy as a Veterans Community Services Coordinator in King County employed by Washington Department of Veterans Affairs

Maria Rivera

Maria came to the Yakima Vet Center in June 2005 from the Department of Children Services, Victorville office, San Bernardino County, California where she worked as a Case Manager.
 
Maria received a Master of Social Work Degree with a Health Administration Certificate from Eastern Washington University in June 2000.  She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from Eastern Washington University in 1998.  In 1982, she received an Associate of Arts Degree in Human Resources through the Community College of the Air Force.  She is also a Certified Parent Project and Anger Management Facilitator.  She was a Counselor Intern at the Spokane Veteran’s Outreach Center for both her MSW and BA Social Work Programs.

Maria is a Vietnam Era and Gulf War veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force from 1971 to 1993.  She was born in Puerto Rico and enlisted in the Air Force at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn New York.  After Basic Training at Lackland AFB, and Technical School at Biloxi, Mississippi, Maria was stationed at Holloman AFB, New Mexico; Zaragoza AB, Spain; Det 12, 1 CEVG, Hawthorne, NV; Tyndall AFB, Florida; Joint Communications Group, NATO, Naples, Italy; Hill AFB, Utah; with Temporary Duty Assignments to Germany, Joint Task Force, Norfolk, VA and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

Maria was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the  Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal  w/ 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Service Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Long Tour Ribbon w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Unit Service Medal and the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Force Training  Ribbon.

Maria is a member of the Readjustment Counseling Service Women Veterans Working Group; she also volunteers with the local Department of Social and Health Services, as a member of their Child Protective Team.

Aaron Washington is currently working for Employment Security Department.  He has held several different positions while working for the agency.  Aaron is the Local Veterans Employment Representative for Work Source Thurston County and Work Source Mason County.  He has been working for the agency for over 10 years helping veterans to find employment.

Aaron was born in Washington D.C. and served 12 ½ years on active duty while in the United States Army.  During his service Aaron was the recipient of numerous awards, Army Recruiter Badge (Gold), Army Achievement Medal, Duty Assignments Fort Bragg, Korea, Fort Lewis, Fort Polk area, and Hawaii.

Aaron is currently working with several veteran organizations within the community.  He is a board member of the Washington Women Veterans Advisory Committee (WDVA), Thurston County Veterans Assistance Fund and currently the 1st Vice commander of Post 94 American Legion Lacey, WA.

Aaron is married Susan Carlisle and they have two children, Samantha and Bryan and they reside in Lacey.