ARRL VA Section Leadership
My name is Carl Clements, W4CAC, and I live in Portsmouth, VA. I am married to Lynn Clements, W4LBC. I have two children, Reid, WA4NVI, and Leslie, KG4IBP.
I have operated my family's Portsmouth-based heating and air conditioning company, Clem’s Gas Service, for 33 years. We have seven employees and serve customers throughout the Tidewater area.
I was first licensed in 1995 as KE4YXW, and received my current call in 1998. I have served as Net Manager for the VLN, Section Traffic Manager, President of the Portsmouth Amateur Radio Club, Treasurer of the committee that puts on the Virginia Beach Hamfest, and as Section Manager from 2001 until 2006.
I have enjoyed meeting and working with the members of the amateur radio community and look forward to doing so in the coming years.
Ron Sokol, K4KHZ - Assistant Section Manager - At Large
Upon joining ARES/RACES of Virginia as a member many years ago, I had the good fortune of working under DEC 13 Bob Ham. Bob supported my appointment to Tom Gregory and Carl Clements to become ARES/RACES EC for Giles County. From that position I helped form ARES units in about 1/2 of the counties in District 13. Eventually I was appointed DEC for 13, while simultaneously developing a mobile unit concept based on the old "Minute Men" from the Revolutionary War. At that time, District 13 came together very quickly and began to construct ARES units in District 14 as well. Both Carl and Tom saw the work I was doing on the western side of the state, which led them to create the first Assistant SEC position in the Virginia Section. I really enjoyed that position.
A change of administration came and went and Carl Clements was again the Virginia Section Manager for ARRL. We discussed for several months the idea of me becoming the SEC. I made it clear to Carl that my health would probably only let me serve about a year. He was satisfied with that and I was tickled to hold the top spot of ARES/RACES of Virginia for a while. It gave me an opportunity to fix some things that somehow had mistakenly gotten past administration, most of those "potholes" have now been filled and our ASECs and the new SEC have a firm foundation from which to go forward.
I am grateful that Carl has given yet one more turn to serve, as the new Assistant Section Manager At Large. This will allow Carl and me to continue to work closely as we have done in the past, and it will allow us both the freedom to get at things we otherwise would not be able to. My hours now will be shorter, my travel less, and the pain and strain highly reduced. Maybe in this fashion I can still make some valuable new contributions. My thanks to Carl and to all the leaders and members who have supported me on this most unusual journey.
(From Ron's previous bio informaton he stated:)
I’m Ron Sokol, K4KHZ. I’ll be 64 years old in June of 2008. I was first licensed as a novice when I was thirteen. As a teenager I was one of many amateur operators who helped with communication during floods in North New Jersey near the Upper Saddle Brook area. While going to college at Monmouth University I was able to stop at Fort Monmouth and learn from the MARS operators, who welcomed all amateurs with open arms. Through the ARRL Awards Program I have earned by DXCC in CW, phone, and mixed. I got my WAS in CW and WAC on phone. A few years back I was given the Roanoke Division Service Award. I was one of the founders and the first President of the Virginia Appalachian Wireless Association (VAWA), an ARRL regional Special Service Club. I wrote the grant for William Byrd High School which was one of the first thirteen “Big Project” grants awarded by ARRL to set up a complete radio station for the kids. My work was replicated to win a second grant for the Middle School next door. I helped with Virginia Section deployment when the Pentagon was struck and when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. I also organized deployment for the Russell / Tazewell flood.
I’m a retired teacher and school administrator. My educational work has been portrayed on public television as an education association film documentary, and I’ve received the Valley Forge Teacher’s Medal.
It pleases me to have served ARES as a member, EC, DEC, ASEC, and now to accept appointment from Section Manager Carl Clements as Section Emergency Coordinator.
Ron Sokol, K4KHZ
Assistant Section Manager - At Large
Joseph J. "Joe" Safranek, K4JJS - Section Emergency Coordinator
Greetings all. My name is Joe Safranek, K4JJS, of Gloucester County, Virginia. Originally born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I entered the US Air Force in 1971 and married my wonderful bride, Joy, W2JMS, in 1975 while assigned to Cannon AFB in Clovis, New Mexico. Upon completion of a tour of duty overseas we were assigned to Langley AFB in Hampton, VA, in 1982, and have been living in Gloucester County since 1983. We were both licensed as amateur radio operators in 2001 and have been active in a variety of events, most of which involved ARES and emergency communications. We have two adult children and two grand children, the older one of which received her technician class license at age 11. I retired as a civilian police officer/firefighter/EMT. Joy is employed as a civilian budget analyst for the USAF.
I have served in a variety of local amateur radio club positions plus have been appointed as an Official Emergency Station, formerly served as Assistant EC-Gloucester County, Assistant SEC - Development for Districts 5 through 11, Assistant SEC for Training, Assistant SEC-Districts 6, 10, and 11, while now serving as Section Public Information Coordinator and as the Section Emergency Coordinator. I also currently serve as RACES Officer for Gloucester County and am an original member and instructor for the county CERT Team. I have completed a variety of emergency communications courses including all three levels of the ARRL Emergency Communications Courses plus numerous FEMA/ICS/NIMS courses. I enjoy instructing and periodically teach technician class licensing classes. My wife and I are also active volunteer examiners being certified as such with both ARRL and W5YI. I am also the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Vice Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Staff Officer-Communications for the Gloucester County Flotilla, 054-06-04.
Assuming the duties of SEC for the Virginia Section is going to be a challenging task. Having worked very closely with now ASM-At Large Ron Sokol, K4KHZ, one could not ask for a better mentor. The team of Section Manager Carl Clements and SEC Ron Sokol has produced a lot of positive things for the Section and I am extremely honored to be chosen to carry on the duties of the SEC position with Carl as Section Manager. I intend to carry on the projects that are in progress plus ask for your assistance is creating new tools and ideas to enhance our emergency communications capabilities in the Commonwealth. I intend to work closely with the Section Leadership while keeping lines of communication open with the members and especially former members and new amateur radio operators who are willing to serve their communities.
I look forward to working with everyone across the section. I can only be successful in these positions with your support. New ideas are welcome so please send them through your leadership chain and they will all be carefully reviewed.
Thank you, Carl, for this opportunity to serve.
Rick Ross, KG4TAX - Public Information Coordinator
My name is Rick Ross, KG4TAX, and am the newly appointed Public Information Coordinator (PIC). I live in Newport News with my wife, Julie, and my daughter, Jenny, and work as a research engineer at NASA Langley Research Center. I became licensed in 2002 as a result of my volunteer work that began on September 11, 2001. The day of the attacks, I went to the Red Cross to donate blood and asked if there was anything else I could do to help, and I have been helping ever since.
A few months after joining the Red Cross and serving as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member and later as a team captain, I found the greatest need during an emergency was for reliable communications. I began studying for the Technician test and got my ticket the following month. I continued studying and worked my way up to Extra three months later.
I am the Emergency Coordinator (EC) for Newport News, an ARRL-certified Volunteer Examiner (VE), and actively participate in public service and special events. I am currently the Vice President (and a former president) of the Peninsula Amateur Radio Club (PARC). I have completed all three ARRL Emergency Communications courses, have taken several FEMA online and instructor-led classes, and have completed numerous Red Cross disaster services, CPR, and First Aid classes.
While this position will be a challenge, my other volunteer work has helped prepare me for that challenge. I served as a board member for four years with Newport News Special Olympics and am currently a board member for SMART-One, Inc., a non-profit corporation for special needs individuals and their families. As the newsletter editor/reporter/photographer for these organizations, I promote the good deeds of these organizations and recognize the hard work of the individuals that make it happen. As the Virginia Section PIC, I will apply these same skills to showcase the efforts and achievements of hams throughout the Virginia Section. I encourage each of you to submit articles and photographs of your activities and accomplishments and I will do my best to post them on this website.
Martin B "Marty" Mait, AG4DN - State Government Liaison
Hello, my name is Marty Mait, AG4DN of Palmyra, Virginia. I have recently been appointed as the State Government Liaison. I have been married to my wife Lila for 52 years. We have three children, all grown, married and six grand children, ages 21 to 12.
I served as a Regular Army Officer for 20 years, retiring in 1975 as a Lt. Colonel. I served in Korea, Germany and had two combat tours in Vietnam. Upon retirement I was employed by the Commonwealth of Virginia in the Department of Criminal Justice Services. This experience brought me in close contact with all three branches of State government. We were very active each year during the legislative session, either supporting or not supporting numerous bills in the criminal justice field, supporting budget items and keeping in close contact with legislators and legislative staff. I retired from the Department in 1994 as agency Deputy Director.
I came into amateur radio rather late in life as compared to most. I received my Novice / Tech in 1996. Not being content to rest on this entry level, I went on to Extra as rapidly as I could. My major interest has been and still is the role of the radio amateur in emergency situations. I became active in the Fluvanna County ARES / RACES group and have actively participated since. I have held the position of Assisant EC and EC. Under my tenure as EC, I was able to get County officials interested in amateur emergency radio. With their financial support, we have equipped the EOC with a fully functional radio set up on 2 meters and 440. We have a duplicate system in the mobile EOC trailer. We were able to install dual beam antennas in each of the Fire / Rescue Buildings and emergency shelters. We recently acquired a repeater as well. We now have full coverage of Fluvanna County as well as many surrounding counties.
Since retirement in addition to my participation in amateur radio through ARES, I served on the Fluvanna Planning Commission; I am the Secretary of the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club in Charlottesville and serve as Secretary to the Charlottesville Chapter of Trout Unlimited. I look forward to my current appointment as SGL with the hope that I can make a contribution to the amateur radio community.
My name is Rue Stuteville, KA4PLH but I go by the nickname of Rudy. I'm the Assistant Section Manager for Scouting and Youth and am retired from the federal government as a Maintenance Supervisor.
I have been married to my wife Barbara for 48 years this year. We have one son, Gerald, an electronic engineer and a ham that lives in Fort Worth Texas.
I got my first taste of amateur radio while serving with the 3rd Marine Division in the 1960s. I tried to learn Morse code from a radio operator but he could not bring his over 35 words a minute down to my level, but it was fun trying.
I became an amateur in 1980 when my scout son decided he wanted his amateur license. We went together and got our licenses. His call is KA4OXI. I have enjoyed building a lot of Heath kits and other homebrew items over the years. I also enjoy DXing, but I'm still learning how to do it. I'm thinking about trying my hand at contesting.
I have been involved in Scouting since 1949, I earned my Eagle Scout Award in 1954, and I also earned the Explorer Scout Silver Award in 1957. The Tidewater Council BSA has awarded me the District Award of Merit for outstanding service to youth and the Silver Beaver. I am a member of the Wood Badge Fox Patrol.
I am also a member of the Virginia Beach Amateur Radio Club. I feel very honored to be selected Asst. Section Manager for Scouting and Youth. I will work very hard to get Virginia Scouts and Youth involved in Amateur Radio. Please feel free to contact me on any ideas you may have or how I may help you.
I'm Brian Cochran, the Official Observer Coordinator for ARRL VA Section. I am originally from North Carolina and transplanted to VA in the late 80’s.I became interested in electronics at a young age when I discovered my Dad’s stereo speaker would shock me so as a curious one I plugged it into a ac outlet 60hz for 1.2 micro seconds! From then on I was fascinated in how stuff works and took everything from the TV to the microwave apart to see what was inside. I obtained my Technician ham ticket while in high school during 1993. My first station was a Drake TR-4c and Star Duster converted CB antenna on the chimney. Finally getting my Extra in 2001.
I enjoy operating CW, RTTY, SSB from 160 to 2.4ghz and I like to chase DX. I have opened my station to all local hams to come by and operate and hardly a contest goes by with out my call giving out some QSO Points. First appointed to AEC in Warren County under my Elmer KR4DO in 1995 and have been active in ARES and ARRL Field operations ever since. I currently hold several appointments and am certified in most NIMS and ICS courses. Active in public service and training in the local Ham Community.
I hope to hear you all down the log,
73 Happy DX
Brian Cochran WC4J
www.wc4j.com
Position will be filled soon.
My name is Christine “Chris” Sokol, K4CES. I first became interested in ham radio in my teens, as my grandfather was a ham, along with an uncle and several cousins, but I didn’t get my license until after I met my husband Ron. I received my Technician license in 1997 (KF4RGC), upgraded a few years later to Tech plus, and upgraded again to General in 2002. I got the vanity call K4CES in 2005. I am a charter member and one of the founders of the Virginia Appalachian Wireless Association, a Special Service Club of the ARRL and served a term as Secretary. I served as Emergency Coordinator for Giles County and I’m currently an Assistant Section Manager for Administration for the Virginia Section. My main duty right now is collecting data from the ARES/RACES registration to develop a new ARES/RACES member database.
As an ARES/RACES member, I have cross-trained with a variety of American Red Cross disaster courses, have taken two of the ARRL Emergency Management courses, and I’m a Skywarn spotter. As soon as I have time, I may even be able to complete some of the FEMA courses! I have participated in numerous SETS in and around southwest Virginia.
I’m an avid reader, gardener, horse person (horseless at the moment) and closely supervised by two Shetland Sheepdogs (shelties). I love to fish with my husband (when he can get away from SEC business). I’m the “bulletin lady” at my church, and also am on a committee that works for the poor of our county. I have an Associate in Applied Science degree in Human Services/Mental Health and I have worked at Virginia Tech for 22 years as office manager for the Family Therapy Center of Virginia Tech, a training facility for family therapist
John Johnson, K0IBS - Section Traffic Manager
As a new member of the Virginia section I would like to introduce myself. My Name is John Johnson. I was first licensed in 1955 in Wisconsin as KN9BGB and upgraded a year later and got the K0IBS call while living in Northern Minnesota. Held Advance License for several years and now hold an Extra Class License. I moved here June 1960 at the request of Uncle Sam as a Seaman Apprentice fresh out of boot camp. Schooling at local Navy schools in Virginia Beach and assignments to several bases and ships over the years I liked it here (a lot warmer, than Northern Minnesota) and I married a Portsmouth girl and decided to make it home. Have been involved in traffic since 1995 and have earned BPL IN 2002. I have been Net Manager for VLN and VSBN and hold appointments as ORS and OES. Use Airmail program for handling traffic into the commonwealth and bring traffic from SVTN local net and packet traffic for distribution throughout Virginia. Looking forward to working with all operators in Virginia.
Virginia Section Webteam
It takes a lot of effort from more than one person to maintain this wonderful website. Referring to the old “there is no *I* in “team,” the webteam has been working together for months designing, programming, and maintaining the live “website 2.0.” There is a tremendous amount of difference between this website and the one utilized a year ago. That was a great website and also took a lot of effort for the volunteer staff to maintain. This new version of the website was created on a different platform hosted by a different web service and gives the team the capability to add items to the site in a much easier manner. The leadership and members have made numerous favorable comments about the design, layout, and ease of use of this product. We are always looking for recommendations as to how to improve things or add items that may be of general interest to the members. Here is a short introduction to each current member of the webteam.
The ARRL VA Section website is administered by a team of people that bring diverse skills to the development and maintenance of the site.
Tony Belcastro KJ4HTU "Webmaster"– Tony is the lead developer and programmer of aresracesofva.org and has over a decade of professional experience in application/solution engineering and website development, as well as Internet security and computer graphics. He got his amateur radio license in 2008 and is planning the development of a client-side communications solution with advanced weather and digital radio data integration.
Andy Gibson W4NSU - Andy supports aresracesofva.org from an administrative perspective, supporting user registration, help documentation and assistance to content authors. He was first licensed in the late 1950's and has been an ARRL member for 50 years. Andy has over 40 years of experience in programming and engineering and is active in Flotilla 87 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Yvonne “Chris” Smith KJ4HTW – Chris is the team's administrative assistant. She provides assistance with resource acquisition, research, communications and troubleshooting. She got her amateur radio license in 2008 and has experience in business administration and computer networking.
The webteam is providing a tremendous service to the members and we are extremely fortunate to have these talented professionals operating the website for us.
ARRL VA Section Leadership
