A SYNOPSIS
The Defense Mapping and Charting Alumni (DMCA) Association was established in 1980, principally to provide a means of continuing social contact, maintaining career associations, and sharing interests and experiences among its members. In keeping with the change of the Agency’s name, mission, and indeed workforce, the name of the Association was changed in 2008, to better reflect its connection to employees and retires of its primary source of new members, as well as its awareness of the technological changes having taken place in the career fields it represents. Civilian and military personnel who were officially assigned to Headquarters, Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) and its direct support elements, its predecessor and affiliated organizations, and its successor organizations, which include the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), formerly the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), are eligible for membership.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Association, as provided in its Constitution/By-Laws, is to:
• Provide a means of continuing social contact and sharing of interests and experiences among the members;
• Encourage the exchange of ideas for the mutual benefit of its members;
• Provide a clearinghouse for the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences;
• Serve as a resource to NGA and other organizations for support where past experience may be useful.
SPECIAL SERVICES
Annually, NGIAA recognizes an outstanding civilian or military member of NGA with an Award of Excellence. Several Association members have been nominated and inducted into the NGA Hall of Fame. Its members have provided assistance to NGA in its Oral History Program. The Association stands ready to assist in similar efforts.
MEMBERSHIP
The Association comprises over 260 active members. Membership is extended to:
• Retired military and civilian personnel who were regularly employed by
Headquarters DMA, its direct support activities, and predecessor organizations.
• Current and former employees (civilian or military) of NGA/NIMA, regardless of length of service.
• Surviving spouses of deceased retirees.
• Retired military and civilian personnel who were regularly employed on the staffs and/or affiliated activities of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or of the Headquarters of the US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, or US Marine Corps, and who were associated with mapping and charting endeavors.
MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES
The Association meets in the Washington area twice each year: the annual business luncheon in the fall and a luncheon in the spring. The affairs are well attended; they offer an opportunity to visit with old friends, share an excellent meal, and be entertained or enlightened by a guest speaker. There are occasional out-of-town reunions lasting a few days. Association members and guests have visited Myrtle Beach, Daytona, Pensacola, and Williamsburg, to name a few sites.
COMMUNICATIONS
A quarterly Newsletter notifies the membership of future Association activities and other business, and provides the reader accounts of events and milestones in the lives of their friends, as well as recollections and anecdotes. About 65% of the members are on the Internet. Announcements, notices, etc. are communicated by e-mail on a real-time basis (NGIAA2008@comcast.net). An Association web site is under construction.
OFFICERS (2008-09)
President - John Mendez (703-860-0559) e-mail: GSMNP@aol.com
President-Elect – Edward J. Obloy (703-631-3842) e-mail: eobloy@cox.net
Vice President – Dorothy Magruder (301-372-8986) e-mail: dottymae5@aol.com
Treasurer - Charlie Leslie (703-560-0152) email: cwlesliejr@juno.com
Secretary – Cathi Montgomery (703-742-9114) e-mail: ty6@aol.com
Past-President - Curt Dierdorff (703-437-0940) e-mail: cdier@comcast.net
Co-Historians - Dorothy Jennings-Smith (239-454-6109) email: mailto:DOTTJEN@aol.com and Howard Smith (239-454-6109) email: HPSDMCA@aol.com
Staff Director/Webmaster - Ange Meoli (301-423-2633) email: NGIAA2008@comcast.net OR meoliaa@aol.com
Curt Dierdorff (2006-07) passing the reins to John Mendez (2008-09), at our Fall 2007 luncheon.