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NAVA Leadership

The executive board is the association's corporate board of directors and is elected by the full membership. The nominating committee, also elected by the membership, presents a recommended slate of officers to the voting members in advance of the election.

The board generally meets by teleconference or videoconference; all meetings are open to all members.

The 1976–77 Executive Board at NAVA 11 / ICV 7 (1977)

Officers with their flags (left to right): Ralph Spence, vice president; Whitney Smith, president; John Cross, corresponding secretary; Ashley Talbot, recording secretary; and John Lyman, treasurer.

The 2017–18 Executive Board at NAVA 52 (2018)

Officers with their flags (left to right): Ted Kaye, secretary; Jim Ferrigan, treasurer; Steve Knowlton, second vice-president; Luc Baronian, first vice-president; Peter Ansoff, president.

Present Officers

Flags of the NAVA Officers *

Past Officers

President's Flag

The president’s flag features the star symbolizing hope and guidance which Cheyenne Indians called woheiv.

First Vice President's Flag

The first vice president’s flag displays the Mongolian flame, emblematic of continuity and renaissance. Originally the flag of the vice president, the flag became associated with the first vice president in 1997.

Second Vice President's Flag

The second vice president’s flag features the Ashanti symbol of welcome and love for one another. Originally the flag of the corresponding secretary, the flag became associated with the second vice president in 1997.

Secretary's Flag

The secretary’s flag displays a medieval Arab penbox. Originally the flag of the recording secretary, the flag became associated with the secretary in 1997. The secretary is the custodian of the Association's seal.

Treasurer's Flag

The treasurer’s flag displays the phoenix symbol of tax collection in Thailand.

* NAVA Officer Flags drawn by Clay Moss - March 2025

Notes about the Officer Flags:

The officer flags were designed by Whitney Smith and adopted by the executive board in 1977. The red background and blue chevron on each officer’s flag is adapted from the flag of NAVA; the gold used for the symbols is the traditional color of authority. The symbols themselves come from many cultures and countries indicating the universal extent of our interest and they derive from different symbolic media. More detail about officer flags can be found in issue 11 of Flag Research Quarterly..

In 1987, the executive board established that the flag for a former officer is the rank flag for the office with the red and blue colors reversed.