Roanoke native re-elected to 9th three-year term
SAN JOSE, CA – Alma L. Lee, of Roanoke, has been re-elected to her historic ninth 3-year term as President of the National Veterans Affairs Council, the largest bargaining council within the American Federation of Government Employees which represents over 230,000 employees for the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, throughout the nation. The union has continued to build a voice for all VA employees.
Lee won the overwhelmingly majority of votes cast in the election, held in conjunction with the National VA Council’s convention in San Jose, California the week of November 7. The following remaining four officers were all re-elected by acclamation: First Executive Vice President, Mary Jean “M.J.” Burke, from Indianapolis, IN; Second Executive Vice President, Oscar L. Williams Jr., from Danville, IL; Third Executive Vice President, Bill Wetmore, from Washington, DC; and Treasurer, Dorothy Jefferson, from Columbia, SC.
“I am proud to have a strong leadership team fighting on behalf of the more than 230,000 doctors, nurses, benefits specialists, and other frontline workers AFGE represents across the Department of Veterans Affairs,” said AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr., who was a registered VA nurse for 20 years. “The National VA Council is AFGE’s largest and fastest growing council, and I fully expect that to continue under the leadership of Alma Lee and her amazing team.”
Lee remains the first woman elected to head the AFGE/National Veterans Affairs Council and has held this office longer than any previous president. She also previously held the position of Vice President of the Council, prior to becoming president. She continues to be an active member of Local #1739, where she also served as the first female president for over 17 years, representing workers at the Roanoke Regional Office and the Salem VA Medical Center, where she began her 35-year career as a federal employee, forming her solid commitment to veterans, their families and her fellow federal employees. She also previously held the position of Vice President within the Local and Women’s Fair Practice Coordinator for the 4th District. A large number from the Roanoke Valley attended this historic gathering.
