Liza Narciso is currently Washington State Women Veterans Coordinator and Assistant to the Deputy Director for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She assists women veterans access their federal and state benefits that they might be entitled to. She coordinates with veteran service organization in the state so that the needs of the veterans can be met – whether it be filing for VA disability claims, getting their utilities paid, help with rent, etc.
Advocating for veterans is one of Liza’s many passions. If you ever come across a veteran that needs assistance contact Liza at 360-725-2157 or e-mail at lisan@dva.wa.gov.
President Liza Narciso - Washington
1st Vice President Kelly McCartney - Idaho
Kelly McCartney is a 22-year veteran of the USN Reserves and currently holds the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Her deployments include Kuwait, Afghanistan, and Diego Garcia. She grew up in San Diego CA, moved to Seattle WA in 1997 and finally relocated to beautiful Idaho in 2015.
In April of 2016 she was hired by the state of Idaho as both a VSO and Women Veterans Coordinator and immediately joined the NASWVC. Since joining she has held the board position of Treasurer until her most recent selection as First Vice President.
2ndVice President Kristen Rouse - New York
President & Founder of the NYC Veterans Alliance, Board Member of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and the first-ever Deputy Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the New York State Division of Veterans' Services. She has served as both non-commissioned officer and commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, and Army National Guard for more than 25 years. She served in Afghanistan in 2006, 2010, and 2012, for a combined 31 months in country. Her roles have included mission planning for resupply convoys to remote combat outposts in eastern Afghanistan and working directly with the Afghan National Army. Her civilian experience has included creating regional and citywide logistics plans and programs for NYC’s Office of Emergency Management and teaching literature and writing as an adjunct professor. She has written on veteran and military issues for The New York Times, New York Post, New York Daily News, Daily Beast, Tampa Bay Times, and other publications, and spoken about her experience as a veteran and her service in Afghanistan on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NPR, and "On Second Thought" with Trevor Noah. Her experiences following her return from her third tour of duty led her to get involved in veterans organizations in New York City and to do her utmost to serve veterans and families in her community and across the state. Originally from Florida, she has made Brooklyn her home for more than a decade.
Treasurer Pam Beale - Alaska
Pamela "Pam" Beale was born in Chillicothe, Ohio May 5, 1953,
graduated from Chillicothe High School in Chillicothe, Ohio in June
1971, later that year she joined the United States Air Force.
She came to Alaska in 1988 with her husband and children. She
received her Bachelor of Science in 1997 through Wayland Baptist
University, Alaska Branch.
She serves as Chairman of The Anchorage Military and Veterans
Affairs Commission, Past Chair of Alaska Veterans Advisory Council
for the state of Alaska, served as Commander of Anchorage Metro
Chapter 7, for12 years. State Commander Disabled American Veterans 2010 - 2012
and 2016 to 2018. She is on the Board for DAV Commanders and Adjutants. Pam, a
service-connected, Vietnam Era disabled veteran joined the United States Air Force in
1971 and was medically retired in 1986.
A lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Lifetime Member of
AMVETS, Lifetime Member VFW Auxiliary.
In 2019, she was appointed as the Alaska State Women Veterans Coordinator, elected
as the Treasurer for the board.
Pam has been married 48 years to retired Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) Jerry L. Beale,
born in Independence, MO. They have two daughters Tammy and Amanda and five
grand children, Jordan, Jolena, Kammin, Jacob and Matthew, and a Great Grandson
Jackson.
.jpg)
Secretary Elesha Granniss - Arkansas
Elesha Granniss retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2014, in the rank of Master Sergeant. In 2000, she deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 2006, she deployed to Sather Air Base, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Since December 2015, Elesha has been the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs District 3 Veterans Service Officer for nine counties in North Central Arkansas. As a District Veterans Service Officer, she works closely with County Veteran Service Officers by providing training and support. Elesha assists county representatives with connecting 24,000 Arkansas Veterans, living in District 3, to VA and community services and resources. Elesha is an accredited VA Veterans Service Organization Representative for the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and The Military Order of The Purple Heart.
Elesha is also the Arkansas Women Veterans Coordinator. By connecting with the ADVA District Veteran Services Officers and the County Veteran service Officers, she can provide support, education, resources and advocacy to more than 19,0000 Arkansas Women Veterans.
She is also a graduate from the Community College of the Air Force with a degree in Health Care Management. Elesha and her husband Phil, who is also an Air Force veteran, have two teenage sons and live in Flippin, Arkansas.
Senior Advisor Laura McKee - Indiana
Director of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs as the Women Veterans Coordinator. She developed the Women’s Veteran Program for the state which helps promote Women Veterans’ awareness. She also reviews existing policies and procedures which improve veterans’ benefits and services. She proudly serves as the Senior Advisor of the National Association of State Women Veteran Coordinators, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Indiana Chief of Staff, and is the Sr Vice Commander for VFW Post 1587 of Indianapolis.
Laura also serves with the Air Force Reserve, 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana. She is an Assistant Chief Inflight Refueler with the 72nd Air Refueling Squadron and has been deployed numerous times in support of many operations.
Laura earned her Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and also graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with two Associate of Applied Science degrees in Aviation Operation Aircraft Technology and Systems Maintenance Technology.
She is a lifelong resident of Indiana and currently resides in Indianapolis.