Last Updated on September 26, 2022 by OCF Communications

Chiaravallottis new Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinators

CDR Joe & CDR Kristi Chiaravallotti USN (Ret.), longtime OCF members who have served in multiple ways, will become OCF’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinators starting this fall. They will coordinate the Washington, D.C., region, which encompasses Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania, including Carlisle.

Joe served as a surface warfare officer and transitioned to Naval Sea Systems Command in the Washington Navy Yard, where he currently serves as a contractor. Kristi is an occupational health nurse with Lockheed Martin after having served both on active duty and reserve as a Navy nurse, and later as a civilian nurse for an endocrinologist.

The Chiaravallottis, who serve on the White Sulphur Springs Advisory Committee, reside in Silver Spring, MD. They have three adult children.

Area Coordinators changes:

  • Central Oklahoma-Southern Kansas-North Texas: Col Tim & Jennifer Hale, USAF (Ret.)
  • Fort Benning: CH(LTC) David & Marie Baum, USA (Ret.)
  • Charleston, SC: Lt Col Doug & Mary Dickson, USAF
  • Carlisle, PA: COL Mark Haseman USA (Ret.)

Courtney Taylor hired as Assistant Director of Communciations

Courtney Taylor began a new position on 8 February as OCF’s Assistant Director of Communications. Raised at Army posts across the world by parents who met at an OCF Bible study at USMA in 1991, Courtney’s personal involvement in the ministry began as a summer staffer at Spring Canyon. Following her graduation from Penn State in 2019, she completed White Sulphur Springs’ EXSEL Fellows Program and stayed on in a full-time role as WSS’ public relations & events specialist. Courtney now assists with OCF communications efforts ranging from social media to print publications to the Crosspoint podcast.

Upcoming ROTC events

OCF’s ROTC Ministry is driven by a deep desire to build up, encourage, and equip tomorrow’s military leaders for Christlike leadership right now and as you enter your military career! Check out the OCF ROTC Ministry page for existing campus ROTC fellowships, resources to help you start an ROTC fellowship at your campus, and info about upcoming ROTC Regional Retreats: ocfusa.org/rotc/

Upcoming events for women in uniform

Save the date for three weekend retreats with other female service members! Be encouraged, equipped, and inspired in your Christlike service and leadership through Bible-based speaker sessions and time to build relationships with peers.

  • Women in Uniform Conference, 7-10 Oct. at Ridgecrest Conference Center, NC; in partnership with Navigators Military, Cru Military, Planting Roots, and Women in Love with the Lord
  • OCF Leading Women, 4-6 Nov. at Spring Canyon
  • OCF Leading Women, 17-19 March at White Sulphur Springs

Visit ocfusa.org/events to learn more and register.

Conference Centers to host OCF Local Leader Conferences

Gather with current and potential leaders of OCF local fellowships to advance God’s kingdom within the military community. The OCF Local Leader Conference, hosted at OCF’s two conference centers 31 March-2 April, is a hands-on experience in which attendees are participants, not just recipients. Rediscover how your grassroots ministry connects to the broader OCF community, attend workshops led by your peers, and exchange lessons learned for ministry efforts.

Sign up to receive email notification once registration is open: ocfusa.org/llc-info/

Summary of Spring 2022 OCF Council Meeting

Sixteen regular and special OCF Council members, 16 OCF staff members, and two future Council members gathered at White Sulphur Springs in April for the annual spring Council meeting.

With all proceedings thoroughly saturated in prayer, Council members had the privilege to receive updates on the excellent Spirit-fueled work carried out over the past months. We were reminded that “every forward leap of the Kingdom is founded upon individual steps of obedience by His soldiers.”

Executive Director Scott Fisher and new Director of Finance David Punt reviewed the FY22 Financial Update, outlined the FY23 Priorities and Goals, and presented the FY23 Operating Budget, which was approved. ROTC ministry leader Larry Sherbondy closed out the first night by describing the rich history of ROTC ministry driven by inter-ministry cooperation and detailing vision for the future of a thriving ROTC ministry.

Notably, a motion was passed to move Council nominations to August and elections to November, in order to more effectively onboard new Council members. Comprehensive candidate information will be available at our election website on 1 November when voting goes live. For more information, contact [email protected] or 800-424-1984.

—LTJG Brigit Jogan, USCG

Class of 2025 Election Results

The OCF Council reported the election of the Council Class of 2025 at its spring meeting in April. New council members who started a three-year term on 1 June are: Capt Katherine Ashton, USMC; RADM Donna Cottrell, USCG (Ret.); LTJG Cara Edwards, USN; Maj Moses George, USSF; COL Laurence Mixon, USA (Ret.); CH(COL) Robert Phillips, USA (Ret.); and COL William Smoot, USA. OCF Council officers are: COL Ric Schumacher, USA (Ret.)— President; LTC Steve Schmidt, USA—Vice President; LCDR James Rader, USCG— Secretary, and COL Rob Jassey, USA (Ret.)—Treasurer.