AWGK 2009-2010 Executive Board Nominations
President
Wendy McLallen
I grew up in South Florida, just north of Miami. I went to college at a small school right outside of Orlando and upon graduation married my husband, Dan, and moved to Tallahassee, FL. Dan joined the Air Force in 2002, fulfilling what for him was a lifelong dream, and we came to GK via assignments in Warner Robins, GA and Panama City, FL. So you see, GK was an awesome assignment for us because it finally let us see a part of the world other than the southeastern United States! While in Tallahassee I completed a graduate degree in English, and I have taught English part time (mostly online) for the past several years. At some point in the future, once our Air Force gig is over and my boys have grown a bit, I hope to find a full-time community college teaching position. But... that time could be years and years down the road, so in the meantime, I'm enjoying the places the Air Force has sent us (places we'd never go on our own) and all the wonderful people we've met along the way. I have two young sons, Colin who's almost 4 and Brandt who's 8 months. As far as hobbies or what I enjoy in my "spare time"-- I'm trying to learn how to knit, but it took me forever to finish my first little baby hat, so I'm not sure how well that's going. We've recently acquired bikes and so I am going to take up biking as well. I like good coffee, good books, and am a sucker for cheesy, feel-good movies.
Wendy McLallen
I grew up in South Florida, just north of Miami. I went to college at a small school right outside of Orlando and upon graduation married my husband, Dan, and moved to Tallahassee, FL. Dan joined the Air Force in 2002, fulfilling what for him was a lifelong dream, and we came to GK via assignments in Warner Robins, GA and Panama City, FL. So you see, GK was an awesome assignment for us because it finally let us see a part of the world other than the southeastern United States! While in Tallahassee I completed a graduate degree in English, and I have taught English part time (mostly online) for the past several years. At some point in the future, once our Air Force gig is over and my boys have grown a bit, I hope to find a full-time community college teaching position. But... that time could be years and years down the road, so in the meantime, I'm enjoying the places the Air Force has sent us (places we'd never go on our own) and all the wonderful people we've met along the way. I have two young sons, Colin who's almost 4 and Brandt who's 8 months. As far as hobbies or what I enjoy in my "spare time"-- I'm trying to learn how to knit, but it took me forever to finish my first little baby hat, so I'm not sure how well that's going. We've recently acquired bikes and so I am going to take up biking as well. I like good coffee, good books, and am a sucker for cheesy, feel-good movies.
Vice President
Karen Abernathy
I was born in Hawaii, into an Army family. During my years as an Army “brat”, I lived in five different states, as well as in Berlin. I went to college at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, where I was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. I received my BS in Civil Engineering in 2000, and my MS in Civil Engineering in 2001. For just over one year I worked for LPA in Norcross, Georgia as a Design Engineer. I worked on both airport and highway design projects across the Southeast. I married my husband Jason in 2002 (we eloped actually ;) on the afternoon of his Navy OCS commissioning. In March 2003 I had my first daughter Amelia, followed by Alice in 2005. I have spent my time since then as a stay at home mom. I moved to GK 15 months ago from Port Hueneme, CA (yes, I miss the sun terribly!), where my husband served his sea tour with the VAW-113 Black Eagles. Even though I never saw my husband (he was gone for 22 of our 36 months there!), I had a great time in CA and left some great friends. My daughters attend our local German Kindergarten in Schalbruch. Both are now fluent in German and it is really fun and cool to listen to them rattle away at each other and their friends in Deutsch. I am working really hard to catch up with them in the language department. I also volunteer with Girl Scouts, having recently assumed the leadership role of the GK Daisy troop. I spent the last year as an AWGK Board member, serving as Secretary. I really enjoyed working with the Board, and would love the opportunity to continue to work with the group.
Karen Abernathy
I was born in Hawaii, into an Army family. During my years as an Army “brat”, I lived in five different states, as well as in Berlin. I went to college at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, where I was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. I received my BS in Civil Engineering in 2000, and my MS in Civil Engineering in 2001. For just over one year I worked for LPA in Norcross, Georgia as a Design Engineer. I worked on both airport and highway design projects across the Southeast. I married my husband Jason in 2002 (we eloped actually ;) on the afternoon of his Navy OCS commissioning. In March 2003 I had my first daughter Amelia, followed by Alice in 2005. I have spent my time since then as a stay at home mom. I moved to GK 15 months ago from Port Hueneme, CA (yes, I miss the sun terribly!), where my husband served his sea tour with the VAW-113 Black Eagles. Even though I never saw my husband (he was gone for 22 of our 36 months there!), I had a great time in CA and left some great friends. My daughters attend our local German Kindergarten in Schalbruch. Both are now fluent in German and it is really fun and cool to listen to them rattle away at each other and their friends in Deutsch. I am working really hard to catch up with them in the language department. I also volunteer with Girl Scouts, having recently assumed the leadership role of the GK Daisy troop. I spent the last year as an AWGK Board member, serving as Secretary. I really enjoyed working with the Board, and would love the opportunity to continue to work with the group.
Secretary
Sharon Sherinian
I have lived in the GK area for two years now, and have served on AWGK board and committees in various positions. I acted as publicity chair my first year here, and last year I dabbled at the treasury position without managing to loose any money and acted as vendor liaison for the Foggy Fields Bazaar. I have two boys, ages 4 (Gabriel) and 7 (Jack), and I am sure that you have heard me yelling at them in the commissary at some point. My husband, John, is a good, hardworking soul, and he requires much less yelling at after almost 9 years of marriage. The good Lord orchestrated our meeting as we were both in the military since I am originally from Mississippi and he from California. It's been a good time here, not because of the weather or the mission, but because of the great support offered by all the women and community of GK. I am glad to be a part of that!
Treasurer
Johnna Pearce
Hello. My name is Johnna Pearce. I am lucky to have been an Air Force dependent most of my life. I was born in Albuquerque, NM, at Kirkland AFB. I lived in Bitburg from 1983-1986 with my parents. I am excited to be back in Germany although it is much different as a spouse. My father retired at Robins AFB. I can proudly call Georgia my home as I lived there for most of my life. I have a BBA from Mercer University where I majored in Finance and Management. After college, I worked for three companies in Accounts Payable and once in a staffing agency. During my time in AP, I became familiar with financial reports. My favorite task in Accounts Payable was solving problems whether it was researching payments or contacting companies for past due invoices and credits due. I have been out of the workforce for the past three years, but enjoy my time volunteering more than I did working.
Michael Mary Ann Allford
I was born in Healdton, Ok and raised in Moore, Ok. I attended Moore High School, were I met my husband. We dated for 8 years, (yes 8 years) before we got married. I worked for Oklahoma City public Schools for about 3 years and made a career change and started working for Farmers Ins. I worked for Farmers for 2 years before we were blessed with our first daughter, Dakota in July of 2003. A year later, I decided to stay home with her and became a stay at home mom. In November of 2006, we were blessed with our 2nd daughter, Cheyenne. In July of 2008 my husband called me while TDY and gave me the news that we had received orders to Germany. We lived through the short notice move and arrived here in Nov. 2008. Dakota is now 5 and attends Kindergarten on GK. Cheyenne is 2 and keeps me busy most of the day. I enjoy meeting other people, seeing different places and trying new things.
Rhonda Perez
My name is Rhonda Perez. I am from Louisiana and I am here with my husband, George Perez through May 2011. I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the 470th Medical Clinic as the Quality Services Manager. I have 3 children. My son Luke, who is 21 and lives in Louisiana. My daughter-Valerie, who is 13, soon to be 14 in April, who did not want to leave family, lives in Louisiana also. Our Daughter Kailtlin, who is 12, soon to be 13 in June, lives in England. I am an assistant to the Girl Scout Daisy Troop leader, Karen Abernathy. My favorite color is Blue. I am currently taking a Deutsch Language Class and it is a lot of fun. I like to travel, read, and shop. I look forward to my involvement with the AWGK in any capacity.
Parliamentarian
Jerrie Fielder
I'm 39 yrs old married to a wonderful man in the Navy name Marcus. I was born in 1969 Baltimore Maryland, the year Sesame street first broadcast on air... Have 6 children, 4 boys and 2 Girls. In My former Life I was a Travel Consultant. Travelling has been something I've always wanted to do, so moving here really have given me a great opportunity to see most of Europe. I love to draw, and I'm currently trying my hands at painting. I love to laugh and smile. Well that's all I have to say about myself, so hopefully you'll get this by tonight. Have a nice day.
My name is Rhonda Perez. I am from Louisiana and I am here with my husband, George Perez through May 2011. I am a Registered Nurse and I work in the 470th Medical Clinic as the Quality Services Manager. I have 3 children. My son Luke, who is 21 and lives in Louisiana. My daughter-Valerie, who is 13, soon to be 14 in April, who did not want to leave family, lives in Louisiana also. Our Daughter Kailtlin, who is 12, soon to be 13 in June, lives in England. I am an assistant to the Girl Scout Daisy Troop leader, Karen Abernathy. My favorite color is Blue. I am currently taking a Deutsch Language Class and it is a lot of fun. I like to travel, read, and shop. I look forward to my involvement with the AWGK in any capacity.
Parliamentarian
Jerrie Fielder
I'm 39 yrs old married to a wonderful man in the Navy name Marcus. I was born in 1969 Baltimore Maryland, the year Sesame street first broadcast on air... Have 6 children, 4 boys and 2 Girls. In My former Life I was a Travel Consultant. Travelling has been something I've always wanted to do, so moving here really have given me a great opportunity to see most of Europe. I love to draw, and I'm currently trying my hands at painting. I love to laugh and smile. Well that's all I have to say about myself, so hopefully you'll get this by tonight. Have a nice day.
Amber Ramage
My name is Amber Ramage. I was born in Moore, Oklahoma. I have two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister. My sister is married and just had her first child this past June. I am married to Zachary Ramage. He was born in Idaho, but moved to Germany with the military shortly after. They moved to Oklahoma when he was 10. He has three siblings, all older, one brother and two sisters. We have 5 nephews and 1 niece from his siblings. We do not have any children yet. However, we do have two cats, who are our children for now. We both went to Westmoore High School and played in the band, which is how we met. I graduated hair school in August 2005. I have been playing the flute through school and church since August 1997. I am currently playing with the Langbroich band. We have our big concert coming up on 21 March. We arrived here in Germany this past July. I have been doing hair from my home since we arrived here.
My name is Amber Ramage. I was born in Moore, Oklahoma. I have two siblings, an older brother and a younger sister. My sister is married and just had her first child this past June. I am married to Zachary Ramage. He was born in Idaho, but moved to Germany with the military shortly after. They moved to Oklahoma when he was 10. He has three siblings, all older, one brother and two sisters. We have 5 nephews and 1 niece from his siblings. We do not have any children yet. However, we do have two cats, who are our children for now. We both went to Westmoore High School and played in the band, which is how we met. I graduated hair school in August 2005. I have been playing the flute through school and church since August 1997. I am currently playing with the Langbroich band. We have our big concert coming up on 21 March. We arrived here in Germany this past July. I have been doing hair from my home since we arrived here.
April showing the ladies how to make Pannekoeken pancakes
