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Spring 2026 
VMCA Mission Statement
VMCA MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association is to promote professional development through continuing education and networking opportunities. The VMCA challenges its members to use their abilities, talents and strengths in the proficient and effective delivery of local government services.
President's Message
Hello Virginia Clerks,
I hope this winter season has been kind to you. Culpeper is still covered in snow and ice as I'm sure so are other localities. I love the snow as it rejuvenates me and seems to clear the negativity out of the air everywhere it lands and truly makes my soul happy.
The past few months have been both productive and exciting for the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association. I am pleased to share a significant milestone that marks a new chapter for our Association's educational future.
VMCA has officially entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Virginia Wesleyan University, which will now serve as VMCA's Educational Partner. Under this partnership, Virginia Wesleyan University will develop, manage, and deliver VMCA's Institute and Academy courses, ensuring full compliance with International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) guidelines.
Mina has worked diligently to evaluate options that would strengthen VMCA's educational offerings and ensure long-term sustainability. The agreement with Virginia Wesleyan University provides a solid foundation for continued growth, enhanced learning opportunities, and greater support for clerks at every stage of their career.
Simply put, this partnership is a breath of fresh air for the Association. It opens the door to new possibilities for VMCA members well into the future.
More updates will come as new Institute and Academy offerings are developed. One more positive point from this union is that these conferences will once again be held in Virginia Beach.
I am looking forward to the Atlantic City Region II Conference and hope that you are able to attend. The New Jersey clerks are always entertaining and certainly know how to host a memorable and well-organized conference.
Information regarding our VMCA Annual Conference in Blacksburg will be coming soon, so please be on the lookout. The Blacksburg team has been stirring up some fun and engaging educational sessions along with entertainment that I know you will enjoy.
Lastly, we are still seeking Region Directors for Regions I, II, and X. If you have any interest in taking on this important role, or if you have questions about what is involved in serving in this capacity, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss how you can become more involved in supporting the Association.
Stay warm, hope to see you in Atlantic City.
With gratitude,
Kimberly Ellis, MMC
Message from the 1st Vice President
Greetings my fellow Clerks of VA!
As we continue to navigate the chill of winter—snowy mornings, icy roads, and the occasional weather-related curveball—it’s hard not to look ahead with anticipation to the warmer days of spring that are just around the corner!
It has truly been an honor and a privilege to serve as your 1st Vice President alongside the amazing Clerks who make up our VMCA Executive Committee. Working with such dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate professionals has been incredibly rewarding.
Recently, I had the unique opportunity to witness the Walk for Peace as the monks’ (along with their Peace Dog Aloka) journey passed through Dinwiddie County. It was a powerful and humbling experience—one that offered a quiet reminder of the importance of compassion, unity, and understanding in our communities. In a world that often feels fast-paced and divided, moments like these reinforce how deeply we need peace, patience, and mutual respect. As Clerks, we are often at the center of our communities, and these values are reflected daily in the work we do.
I would also like to remind everyone of our upcoming VMCA Annual Conference taking place this April in Blacksburg, Virginia. Lorraine and the Clerks of Region IV are working hard to put together what is sure to be a fantastic conference filled with meaningful education, fellowship, and opportunities to grow professionally.
As we get closer to the conference, I encourage you to get involved and consider joining a committee—especially if you are working toward your CMC or MMC. Committee service not only supports certification goals, but also strengthens our association and builds lasting professional connections. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or would like to learn more about committee involvement.
As winter transitions into spring, we are reminded that the role of a Clerk mirrors the seasons—grounded, resilient, and adaptable through constant change. I look forward to seeing many of you in Blacksburg as we continue to grow, learn, and move forward together.
With sincere gratitude and appreciation,
Camisha Brown, MMC
Message from the 2nd Vice President
Happy New Year!
I hope 2026 is off to a great start for each of you and that the holiday season brought you rest, joy, and some much-deserved time with the people you love most. As we look at the year ahead, I'm excited for all the new opportunities, connections, and moments of growth this year will bring for our Clerk family.
It's always encouraging to start the year with a clean slate. New goals, new challenges, and fresh energy. I'm especially looking forward to seeing many of you throughout the year at VMCA events and, of course, at the IIMC Annual Conference in May in Reno!
Let's continue cheering each other on and sharing ideas, resources, and encouragement as we dive into the months ahead. Your work matters, and I'm so grateful to walk alongside such a dedicated and inspiring group of professionals.
Wishing you a wonderful year full of purpose and possibility!
Warmly,
Kaylyn McCluster, MMC
Message from the Past President
One of the great joys of being Immediate Past President is that I have the opportunity to jump in and help with things when requested. I recently was able to visit some hotel properties to help make a decision on where our next Institute and Academy will be held so, I'll tease you a bit, and say that I think everyone will be pleased that we're going to be somewhere lovely where we can enjoy the ocean breeze.
I am also pleased to tell you that Mina Barberis and I will be co-hosting the 2027 Annual Meeting and Conference which will take place in Region X. Mina and I go back more years than I want to count and have worked together in many capacities. Stay tuned for a 'save the date' and we'll hopefully also be able to confirm the location within the near future.
I hope your holidays included a bit of rest as I'm sure we're all jumping into disclosure and budget season. If you haven't heard this recently, let me tell you "Clerks are INCREDIBLE!"
Take care,
Katherine K. Glass, MMC
Welcome New Members
Sade Allen - City of Hopewell
Marcie Avans - Town of Capron
Amber Berberette - City of Covington
Tina Bradshaw - Town of Courtland
Heather Carter - Town of Chilhowie
Jaclyn Fish - King George County
Vashay Frenzley - City of Petersburg
Christa Hazlewood - King William County
Tangi Hill - City of Petersburg
Bishelya Howard - City of Hopewell
Veronica Marquez - Woodbridge
Sharon Mason - Chesterfield County
Jamie Osborne - Rice
Madison Pitts - Town of Marion
Tracey Sanford - City of Suffolk
Becky Skillin - Town of Herndon
Stacey Turner - City of Suffolk
Whitney Wade - Troy
CMC and MMC
Congratulations to each of you on achieving such a big accomplishment!
CMC:
Bernadette Cornelius in Ashland on 11/25/2025
MMC:
Camisha Brown in Dinwiddie County on 11/18/2025
Executive Committee
President
Kimberly Ellis, MMC
Deputy Clerk
Culpeper County
First Vice President
Camisha Brown, CMC
Executive Assistant to County Administrator / Clerk to the Board of Supervisors
Dinwiddie County
Second Vice President
Kaylyn McCluster, MMC
Clerk to the Board of Supervisors
Pittsylvania County
Secretary
Alicia Finney
Clerk of Council
City of Lynchburg
Historian
Eileen Boeing, CMC
Clerk of Council
Town of Leesburg
Parliamentarian
Travis O. Morris, MMC
Senior Deputy Clerk
County of Albemarle
Treasurer
Teresa J. Saeed, MMC
Deputy Clerk
James City County
Immediate Past President
Katherine K. Glass, MMC
Clerk of Council
City of Hampton
Getting to KNOW your Executive Committee
Meet Camisha Brown, 1st Vice President:
Where are you from? Born and raised?
Born and raised in Virginia! I grew up in the Village of Matoaca in Chesterfield County.
What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition is celebrating Christmas on New Year’s Eve with my family at my grandmother’s house. Years ago, my family decided that it was difficult for all of us to get together on Christmas Day. My grandmother decided to have us all get together on New Year’s Eve instead! So every year I get to bring in the New Year with all of my family. We exchange gifts and my grandmother cooks a delicious dinner (usually gumbo and crab legs). I look forward to seeing my whole family on New Year’s Eve every year!
1.
I'm a JEEPER!! I attend many events with my Jeep Wrangler named Stormie. My Jeep has placed in a few Show and Shine competitions. I also take her off-roading on trails with my Jeep Club! FREE TIME!? Never heard of it!! If I’m not traveling with Stormie, you can catch me at the football field!! I also coach recreational cheerleading! I have been a coach for the last 11 years and I have been Director of the Cheer program for the last 4 years. When I’m not in the Jeep or screaming at teenagers, I’m usually at home doing some sort of craft or reading a good book!
Where is your favorite place to travel? What is the best place you ever traveled to?
Fun Fact: I have never traveled out of the country. It is in my plans for the near future! My favorite place to travel to is Colorado!! I’m definitely a mountains girl. I went to visit my uncle who was stationed in Colorado one summer when I was a kid and I instantly fell in love with Colorado. If you’ve never been to Colorado, I highly recommend planning a trip one day!
What is your favorite food or cuisine?
I'm wholeheartedly a foodie! Italian, Japanese, Thai, and American I couldn't pick a favorite! I will absolutely try anything once. My best friend and I enjoy finding new restaurants (or cuisine) to try especially if we are on a trip!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years, I'm hoping to still be a Clerk! I hope that I can still be actively involved within VMCA and helping my fellow Clerks achieve amazing things. 10 years? Who knows? Only time will tell! J
How did you become a Municipal Clerk? Happenstance or planned?
It was for sure happenstance! I think a municipal clerk is one of those jobs where you don’t choose it, it chooses you! The first locality I worked for I started in the Planning Department. I met the City Clerk and got to know her and spoke with her on a daily basis. She approached me one day asking if I’d be interested in applying for her Assistant City Clerk position and as you can see, the rest is history! I’m a believer in “everything happens for a reason”. I’m glad I got the opportunity to work with my City Clerk for the short time that I did. She helped me, believed in me and is part of the reason why I am the Clerk I am today. I truly hope that I can pay it forward.
If you could be any age for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Why?
Since I’m still youngish (not according to my cheerleaders), if I had to choose up until now, I’d definitely pick early 30’s. I feel like hitting thirty you start to become more of who you want to be unapologetically and start finding out who you truly are! You recognize even more that life isn’t all about the material things, choose people who choose you and that life is extremely short and you need to live it!
Nominating Committee
Seeking Nominations: Volunteer to Serve!
We are still in need of volunteers to serve for the 2026-2027 term!
Current Openings:
Regional Director: General Responsibilities: represent your region and communicate with clerks in the region; promote certification and participation in continuing education and conferences; coordinate regular regional meetings (monthly or quarterly); prepare articles 3x a year on Region activities; and prepare a regional annual report for the Association President.
Immediate appointments needed: Directors for Region I , Region II and Region X
Immediate Need: Bylaws Committee Chair
EARN POINTS! If you are working on your CMC or MMC certification, volunteering to serve on a VMCA Committee can earn you 1 CMC or up to 2 MMC Professional Experience points for every year of service!
If you are interested in serving or nominating someone to serve as a Region Director (Regions I, II, or X), Chair of the Bylaws Committee, or on a Standing Committee, please contact Rachael Brinson, Nominating Committee Chair, at [email protected] by February 27, 2026.
Your time and willingness to serve can truly make a difference.
Committee Chairs
Audit Committee
Judi Green, Chair
Assistant County Administrator / Deputy Clerk
Matthews County
Budget Committee
Teresa J. Saeed, MMC, Chair
Deputy Clerk
James City County
Bylaws Committee
Vacant
Clerk of the Year
Pamela Wallace, Chair
Clerk of Council
City of Colonial Heights
Education & Professional Development
Mina D. Barberis, MMC, Chair
Deputy City Clerk
City of Norfolk
Newsletter
Ashley R. Clatterbuck, MMC, Chair
Town Clerk
Town of Culpeper
Nominating Committee
Rachael Brinson, CMC, Chair
Town Administrator / Town Clerk
Town of Remington
Scholarship Committee
Katherine Maines, CMC, Chair
Deputy Town Clerk
Town of Culpeper
Website Development
Travis O. Morris, MMC, Co-Webmaster
Senior Deputy Clerk
County of Albemarle
Kyna Thomas, MMC, Co-Webmaster
Clerk of Council / Chief of Staff
City of Charlottesville
Calendar of Events
2026 VMCA Annual Conference - April 15-17 in Blacksburg
2026 IIMC Annual Conference - May 16-21 in Reno, Nevada
2027 IIMC Annual Conference - May 9-12 in Fort Worth, Texas
2028 IIMC Annual Conference - May 21-24 in Bellevue, Washington
Region Directors
2024-2025 Region Directors
Region I
Vacant
Region II
Vacant
Region III
Pamela Ulmer
City Clerk
City of Harrisonburg
Phone: (540) 432-7701
Email: [email protected]
Region IV
Lorraine Spaulding, CMC
Town Clerk
Town of Blacksburg
Phone: (540) 443-1026
Email: [email protected]
Region V
Susan DeMasi, CMC
City Clerk
City of Danville
Phone: (434) 797-8928
Email: [email protected]
Region VI
Maxicelia (Max) Robinson
Deputy Clerk of Council
City of Charlottesville
Phone: (434) 296-5843 x3036
Email: [email protected]
Region VII
Stephen Clough, CMC
Town Clerk
Town of Warrenton
Phone: (540) 714-9270
Email: [email protected]
Region VIII
Heather Oliver
Town Clerk
Town of Colonial Beach
Phone: (804) 224-7103
Email: [email protected]
Region IX
Susan Wilson
Clerk to the Board
Chesterfield County
Phone: (804) 748-1200
E-mail: [email protected]
Vacant
Getting to KNOW your Region Directors
Meet Pam Ulmer, Region III Director:
Where are you from? Born and raised?
I was born in Fort Hood, Texas. My father was in the Army, so I moved a lot during my childhood both in the US and Germany - 9 places in total up to age 18. So literally I am from nowhere. I wouldn't have changed that for the world! A few years after I graduated high school I got married and my husband joined the Air Force, allowing us to move overseas again, and then when he got out, he joined the National Park Service, allowing us to move all over the US from Park to Park. The longest I have lived anywhere is here in Virginia, been here since 2002, and even though I've been here now for 23 years I still have the urge to travel and move all the time! I rearrange my living room A LOT! LOL
What is your favorite family tradition?
My favorite family tradition was our Christmas Eve celebration. Family gathers together for Christmas Eve, we have finger foods of all sorts, play games, and sing songs. Christmas Eve bags are opened by the younger family members, usually bags filled with candy and small silly toys. Some adults join together for a midnight mass or some sort of church event. We haven't been able to get together for years and I truly miss it!
Do you have a hobby you'd like to share? What do you do in your free time?
I have several hobbies - I am a small business owner and I make herbal remedies from Appalachian recipes from long ago, using medicinal plants that grow all around us. I also love to travel, even just locally in Virginia, so much to see. In my downtime at home I enjoy doing puzzles and cooking.
Where is your favorite place to travel? What is the best place you ever traveled to?
My most favorite place to travel is Costa Rica, beautiful there, and the people are so friendly and of course the food is fabulous! I'd have to say that was the best and favorite place!
What is your favorite food or cuisine?
I LOVE FOOD! LOL, I will try anything once. My standard go to is seafood but I also love experiencing foods from all over the world. Although I must say I don't think I'd ever try a 100 year old egg or grubs LOL!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
Five years from now I see myself starting to think about retiring - not full time, I enjoy my job and the people I work with, so I'd like to transition to part-time if possible and then have time for more travel. 10 years, fully retired and traveling the world!!
How did you become a Municipal Clerk? Happenstance or planned?
I got the Clerk's position when the then current Clerk got another job outside of the city. I had been helping her with some of her Clerk duties and definitely had been wanting to move upwards, it was offered and I accepted.
If you could be any age for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Why?
If I could be any age permanently I'd say 45. I was in the best shape of my life then, my kids were grown and out of the house, I had more free time than I do now, life was easy.
Region IV News
Hello fellow clerks!
I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for spring. I am especially looking forward to warmer weather and our April conference in Blacksburg!
This fall, I had the opportunity to attend the 2025 VMCA Institutes and Academy in Richmond. It was great to reconnect with clerks I don't often get to see and to learn about some innovative practices happening in other regions. One of my favorite sessions was AI and Minute Taking, taught by Chris Astrella.
In addition to the VMCA conference, I joined our Town Council at the Virginia Municipal League's Annual Conference in Roanoke. Some of the sessions I attended included Data Center & Economic Development and Park Less, Live More, and I also enjoyed a mobile tour of the Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport. I snapped several phots during the conference - here are a few highlights!
Looking forward to catching up with everyone soon!
All the best,
Lorraine
Region VII News
Happy winter part 2 from Region VII!
I can’t happily call it the spring edition, so this is currently winter part 2: The Revenge.
Why?
snow·crete
/ˈsnōˌkrēt/ noun
Definition: A hardened, high-density form of snow or ice that has undergone structural compaction, often used as a makeshift building material in sub-zero environments.
Etymology: A portmanteau of snow + concrete.
Usage:
Alternative Definition: A political and personal nightmare that will affect people, streets, and budgets from here on out. Requiring heavy machinery and intense amounts of labor to move from roadways and will be an extensive topic of debates for meetings to come. A storm that will be referenced as one of the most disruptive since Snowmageddon. (Which I refuse to believe was 16 years ago.)
I hope you’ve all been staying safe and warm and had an amazing holiday season with loved ones. Hopefully you’ll get to attend the IIMC Region II meeting this year and maybe are even preparing to go to the IIMC conference! No matter what, I hope you’re learning something for yourself this year.
It has been a season of incredible momentum for Region VII! Our clerks are making their mark—not just in their own offices, but on committees and through vital General Assembly Work Groups. Whether it’s reaching new milestones in CMC/MMC certifications or welcoming fresh faces to our region, the dedication to our craft is clear. I’m proud of the progress we’re making together.
The Town of Herndon is excited to announce a new Deputy Town Clerk, Becky Skillin, has been added to their awesome team! Welcome to the wonderful world of Region VII!
We look forward to the upcoming business meeting in April and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the rest of the year!
My Town has had a bit of some big changes the last few months so I’ve been a little distracted with work. As such, I have not yet scheduled the next Coffee with the Clerks. If you’ve got some ideas, a request for a topic, or just want me to set up a time, please feel free to drop me a line and I’ll get it scheduled.
As we prepare for the Spring and hopefully start our way out of the frigid temps of winter, I encourage you to not forget to take a moment for yourselves this season. Go for a walk and enjoy the snow ice. Take a day for an Athenian Dialogue and some extra training so that you can work towards your CMC or MMC with some deliberate steps. I invite you to take a moment to go for coffee with a clerk in your area. Take a moment to get to know who is around you and what they’re facing as well. Together, we’re a stronger community.
Until Next time, Happy Spring from Region VII!
Stephen Clough, MMC
Region VIII News
Congratulations to Karen Borrow, Town Clerk for the Town of West Point, on her retirement after 30 years of dedicated service! Read the news article here.
Welcome Rebecca Hile as the new Town Clerk!
Region IX News
Happy New Year, and happy almost Spring! For those of us impacted by Winter Storm Fern, I know we have had our fill of winter weather. Despite the unavoidable chaos winter weather brings, I hope your New Year is off to a favorable start.
Please help me welcome Sharon Mason to VMCA and Region IX! She is the clerk to the Chesterfield Planning Commission. Sharon looks forward to joining our organization and being part of our group.
As I am writing this, I am a few days away from participating in a virtual Athenian Leadership Dialogue (ALD). Our book is Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes facilitated by Libby Hume (Cape Charles). This has been a fun read that conveys valuable truths about what can happen when you step outside your comfort zone. It also serves as a reminder to never assume highly successful people are extroverted, happy, and content with their lives. This will be my fifth ALD, and one of my professional goals is to become a Paul Craig Athenian Fellow (I’m halfway there!). If you are not joining this ALD, I hope you will look for another opportunity to read and discuss this book. VCU offers multiple opportunities to participate in live online ALDs (no travelling required!), and they are only $75 for VMCA members. Click here to view the schedule for 2026, and don’t sleep on this opportunity to earn up to 18 points toward your certification.
Speaking of ALD, help me celebrate Camisha Brown (Dinwiddie) for recently obtaining her designation as an ALD facilitator. I look forward to participating in thoughtful and energetic dialogues led by Camisha. In addition, Camisha recently earned her Master Municipal Clerk certification. Congratulations, Camisha on your accomplishments!
Shortly after the last newsletter went out, Chesterfield suffered a huge loss with the passing of Board of Supervisors member James M. “Jim” Holland. While Mr. Holland will never be replaced, the Board honored his wishes and appointed Dr. LeQuan M. Hylton to serve as the Dale District Supervisor until a special election in November of this year.
That’s all for now. Take care, and have a pleasant and safe spring!
Susan Wilson
Clerk Spotlight
Don't forget to nominate your favorite Clerk for General Code's Honor Roll in April!
https://www.generalcode.com/municipal-clerks-honor-roll/
Contact the Editor
It is an honor to put together this Newsletter for my Clerk family. But it wouldn't exist without each of you! So send me photos, news articles, etc. all year long.
Let me know what you would like to see in the Summer publication!
Photo: My son Noah (Age 7) and Boe