NGAUS Staff

Retired Brig. Gen. Stephen Koper, the NGAUS president from 2004 to 2009, died Oct. 31. He was 84. Koper spent 32 years in uniform, all of it in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Michael Metz has joined the NGAUS communications team. His position is responsible for writing and editing news stories for NATIONAL GUARD, the association’s bi-monthly magazine, and Washington Report, the NGAUS weekly e-newsletter. He will also provide content for NGAUS.org.

Mississippi Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Sawyer Walters came to Washington, D.C., last week “with a positive attitude” for the second NGAUS Capitol Summit of 2025.

The continuing government shutdown is uniquely hard on the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard. We have thousands of full-time Guardsmen nationwide who wear their uniform and rank every workday but, unlike their active-duty brothers and sisters, they have yet to be paid in October.

Valerie Lucas joined NGAUS as its membership and marketing program manager last week. She will bring her graphic design expertise to the association.

More than 100 golfers enjoyed a sunny fall day on the links Monday at the 27th Annual National Guard Educational Foundation Golf Tournament held at Laurel Hill Golf Club in Lorton, Virginia.

Carpe Diem may be the phrase which best summarizes the approach of NGAUS’ new Industry Liaison. Nina Reiss hit the ground running with her first days spent working the 147th General Conference & Exhibition in Milwaukee.

NGAUS held a second virtual NGAUS retired/separated caucus for NGAUS members June 26, after a successful inaugural event in December.

A retired Army National Guard colonel will oversee NGAUS staff in Washington, D.C. and take on the role of conference coordinator.

Zita Fletcher joined NGAUS as senior writer/editor last week. Her duties include writing and editing the association’s weekly e-newsletter, as well as writing stories for NATIONAL GUARD magazine.

The new NGAUS vice president of government affairs said advancing the interests of the association’s membership is his only priority.

An events coordinator has joined the NGAUS team.