Robert “Bob” Martin, President of the Virginia Federation of NARFE. I retired in October 2008 from the United States Postal Inspection Service. I started with the US Postal Service as a clerk/carrier and was promoted to Postal Inspector. After serving in Richmond VA for four years, I was transferred to Washington DC. After one and a half years in the Washington Field Office, I was promoted to Headquarters where I held several program manager assignments. I was eventually promoted to Assistant Inspector in Charge (AIC) in the Washington Field Office and assigned to the Curseen-Morris Facility which had been the site of the anthrax attacks in October 2001. I also had management responsibilities for teams in Richmond and Baltimore. After retirement I worked at a non-profit agency in the Fredericksburg area as the Outreach Coordinator. After three years in that position, I worked for a year in a retail environment.

 I joined NARFE and my local chapter in 2015. In 2017 I became the National and State Legislation Chair for Chapter 90, Fredericksburg VA. In November 2018 I became the VFN State Legislation Program Chair. I have attended LEG Con 2019 and have supported my Congressional Delegation Liaison (CDL) for the 7th Virginia Congressional Delegation. Working with the VFN treasurer, we increased the donations to the VFN State PAC and implemented a method of making donations easy through credit card use. In July 2019, I was elected 2nd Vice President of the VFN. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I instituted use of Zoom meetings to get together with the Program Chairs on a monthly basis in order to keep programs as active as possible during the long shut down. I assisted the president of the VFN with the appointed committees and have actively participated with the Electronic Communications Committee and Training Committee. During the pandemic, I invited the 1st Vice President to participate in the Program Chairs monthly Zoom meetings and I participated in the Area Vice Presidents’ Zoom meetings. By attending each other’s meetings, the two Vice Presidents were better able to coordinate programs and projects across the Federation.

 On April 1, 2021, I assumed the office of 1st Vice President with the resignation (for health reasons) of the incumbent. Due to participating on the AVP Zoom meetings, I was already familiar with the AVPs and to a certain degree their chapters. I also took on the role of Federation Conference Coordinator for the October 2021 VFN Conference. In a short time, I became familiar with the responsibilities, not only of the 1st Vice President, but also those of the president of the VFN. In October 2021 I was elected VFN President at the VFN Conference.

 I have served other organizations as secretary, treasurer, vice chair and as chairperson. I understand how to work with people, especially those who want to do the job of the position they hold. I look forward to serving the VFN in a position of increased responsibility and in supporting all the members of the Board of Directors in all aspects of their work. I will continue to work to move the VFN forward, to work towards increasing NARFE and VFN memberships, to continue to maintain the VFNs leading role in NARFE and to ensure a positive image of the VFN is ALWAYS presented. Disagreements on issues can and must be civil. All individuals must and will be treated with respect.  I respectfully request your vote to re-elect me as the VFN President.