The Military Spouse JD Network is an all-volunteer organization, and we have many programs and initiatives that we are working on across the country. All of MSJDN’s great works are overseen by an active Board of Directors, which works hard to keep the organization moving forward, meeting the needs of our members, and improving the lives of military families. MSJDN is very pleased to introduce the membership to its 2014-2015 Board of Directors:

President–Rachel Winker

Rachel Winkler is an Army spouse and member of the Arizona Bar. Rachel has lived in three states with her Infantry Officer husband and now resides in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Rachel works remotely on immigration policy issues for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Last year, Rachel served as President-Elect of MSJDN, and also ran its State Rule Change Committee.

President-Elect–Eleanor Vuono

Eleanor Magers Vuono has been in the military  – in one role or another — since she was born. She followed in the footsteps of her Army-lawyer-dad, joining the Judge Advocate General’s Corp after law school. She served as an assistant to the Army General Counsel, a military prosecutor, and chief of the Ft. Carson, CO legal assistance office. Eleanor also worked for the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Eleanor currently teaches Advanced Legal Research & Writing to international LL.M. students at The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. This summer, she will join the Military Justice Review Group as a Department of Defense civilian attorney. Eleanor and her husband Tim live in Alexandria, VA with their two middle-school aged children. Tim retired in 2013 after 28 years in the Army. Eleanor has been a proud member of the Military Spouse JD Network since its founding in 2011.

Governance Director–Reda Hicks

Reda Hicks is the proud wife of an Army helicopter pilot and mother to a four-year-old son named Howie. Her family is now in its seventh year of living remotely. Reda is a partner in Houston-based litigation boutique Diamond McCarthy LLP, and serves on the Board of Directors of Leadership Houston. Reda is licensed in Texas, California, New York and Washington.  She also serves as MSJDN’s Managing News Editor for the Communications Committee. She will be returning to the Government Affairs Committee as its 2014-2015 Chair.

Treasurer–Ashley Ludovicy-Donahue

Ashley has been married to her husband for almost four years. They met during their last semester in law school in Boston and they are both members of the Massachusetts Bar. She has worked with the US Army in many different capacities since they arrived to DC in July of 2011. Ashley volunteered at the front desk of the Legal Assistance office and then worked as a tax coordinator for the Tax Center at Fort Meade, MD. She worked for two years in Legal Assistance at Fort Myer, VA as a Attorney Advisor before moving to the Office of The Staff Judge Advocate. She is now the Chief Assistant to the Army’s Career Program. Her husband returns to DC in July after a year long tour in Korea.

Treasurer-Elect–Natalie Wilson

Natalie is an Associate in the San Antonio, Texas office of Langley & Banack, Inc.  She is married to an Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer stationed at Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland and they have two sons, ages 6 and 1.  Natalie clerked for the Hawaii Supreme Court, and was in private practice in Honolulu prior to moving to Texas.  She counts herself very fortunate that in nine years of marriage, she has only had to PCS once and take two bar exams.  Service runs deep for Natalie–her father is a retired Navy Officer, she has one grandfather who retired from the Navy and another who retired from the Air Force, and her great-grandfather also retired from the Navy.

Secretary–Thea Pitzen

Thea Pitzen is a Navy spouse and mother of one.  She is admitted to practice in Georgia, Florida, and the District of Columbia, and has previously worked as a judicial law clerk to a United States District Judge and in private practice.  Prior to law school, she was a teacher through Teach For America.  She is currently a contract attorney focused in business litigation and resides in Fairfax, Virginia, with her Naval Flight Officer husband.

Board Member–Libby Jamison

Libby Jamison runs her own family law practice and serves as “Of Counsel” to the Law Office of Thomas Carter. She is barred in California and Washington State. Libby currently resides in Jacksonville, FL, with her husband, a Navy helicopter pilot. She volunteers her time with MSJDN, Homefront Rising, Junior League, and the local legal aid office. Libby will also serve as Communications Director for MSJDN and head of its Communications Committee.

Board Member–Josie Beets

Josie Beets is passionate about supporting underserved communities, grassroots organizing, and public service. She currently serves as Public Policy Coordinator for the Tennessee Bar Association, managing development of legislation and public policy positions affecting law and the legal profession. She is a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Association of Bar Executives, Women’s Bar Association of DC, and an attorney member of the National Association of Women Judges. She is married to an Army Officer stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and is mom to two energetic children. Josie also serves on the Foundation Board.

Board Member–Amy Apostol

Amy Waller Apostol is the proud spouse of a Navy JAG reservist and mom to two wonderful children– Jack (7) and Hadley (almost 5).  She currently serves as an Associate Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Defense, supporting complex federal court litigation and related operational and policy matters.  Amy is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Texas and has enjoyed a legal career filled with many unexpected twists and learning opportunities.  She frequently juggles home and professional life while her husband supports the Navy in activities around the globe.  Amy and her family live in the Washington, DC metro area.

Board Member–Erin Hennessy

Erin Hennessy is a proud Army wife and an intellectual property partner at Bracewell & Giuliani’s. Erin works in the firm’s Technology Group, and her practice focuses on trademark law, copyright law, and internet and social media issues with an emphasis on the media and telecommunications industries. Having served as a former chief trademark counsel in-house, she brings an innate business sense and first-hand insights to her practice. Erin also serves on the board of Military Spouse JD Foundation.