ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, has been elected as the new vice chair of the National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC). This marks the first time an ARRL VEC representative will serve in an NCVEC leadership position. She succeeds Michael Maston, N6OPH, of the San Diego County Amateur Radio Council (SANDARC), who resigned as vice chair and as a member of the Question Pool Committee (QPC). The NCVEC called a special election teleconference on September 15 to pick a new vice chair. 

“I am honored to have been elected to this position by the NCVEC organization and excited to serve the 14 VECs and FCC in this capacity,” said Somma, who also serves as NCVEC assistant custodian of the rules.

No one has been named yet to replace Maston on the QPC. Somma said the QPC will not fill the position immediately, because it is in the middle of the revision cycle for the Amateur Extra class question pool.

Larry Pollock, NB5X, of the W5YI VEC is the NCVEC chair, while Michele Cimbala, WK3X, is secretary, and Willard Sitton, W4HZD, is its treasurer. Officers serve 1 year terms, and Somma will serve for the remainder of Maston’s term. Officers are elected every July.

Assistant ARRL VEC Manager Perry Green, WY1O, is a member of the Question Pool Committee.

The NCVEC is a private, not-for-profit voluntary association, with membership comprised of the various FCC-certified VECs. The NCVEC functions to facilitate the intercommunications between the FCC and each VEC.