Contact Us

7852 Walker Drive

Suite 450

Greenbelt, MD 20770

Phone: 1-888-ASK-NVFC (275-6832)

Fax: 202-887-5291

Email: nvfcoffice@nvfc.org

NVFC Staff:

Heather Schafer Executive Director Extension 17 (hschafer@nvfc.org) Heather Schafer joined the NVFC staff in 1993 and has served as the Executive Director since 1994. She manages all internal and external operations and is the organization’s chief fundraiser. She previously worked for the Chief of Staff during the Clinton administration and for FEMA during Hurricane Andrew. Heather graduated from Ohio State University and is currently pursuing a Masters in Nonprofit and Association Management at the University of Maryland.
Sarah Lee Deputy Director Extension 13 slee@nvfc.org Sarah Lee assists Heather Schafer in administering the internal and staff operations of the NVFC. Sarah comes from a family of career and volunteer firefighters and EMTs. With a Masters degree in Public Administration and nonprofit management, Sarah has nearly 10 years of experience in the nonproft sector, with most of those years spent serving the fire and emergency services.
Amanda Ludholtz Office Manager/Executive Assistant Extension 17 aludholtz@nvfc.org) Amanda Ludholtz serves as the Executive Assistant to Heather Schafer and as office manager for the NVFC. She also handles Board meeting planning and Corporate Memberships. Amanda graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Psychology. She spent three years working for a software company, Analytical Graphics, Inc., as the office manager of their local Maryland sales and training office before joining the NVFC in 2007.
David Finger Director of Government Relations Extension 12 (dfinger@nvfc.org) Dave Finger is the point of contact for legislative, regulatory, and standards issues concerning the volunteer emergency services. He serves as the NVFC's liaison with Congress and federal government agencies and advises the Board and membership on governmental matters. Dave graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Political Economy and spent several years working on Capitol Hill before joining the NVFC in 2005.
Allison Moore Government Affairs Associate Extension 28 (amoore@nvfc.org) Allison Moore has been a member of the NVFC staff since 2007. She assists Dave Finger in furthering the legislative goals of the organization. Her focus areas include EMS , wildland, and radio/wireless issues. Allison received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mercyhurst College and is currently pursuing her M.P.S. in Political Management at George Washington University .
Maggie Wilson Director of Health and Safety Extension 14 (maggie@nvfc.org) Maggie Wilson has been with the NVFC since 1999. She has managed the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program since its inception in 2003 and also manages other NVFC health and safety projects, including many projects with the U.S. Fire Administration. Maggie received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Lillian Ricardo Health and Safety Project Coordinator Extension 21 (lricardo@nvfc.org) Lillian Ricardo assists Maggie Wilson in the implementation of the NVFC’s health and safety initiatives, including coordinating the Heart-Healthy Firefighter booth at industry trade show, and developing content for the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program’s newsletters, and other elements of the Heart-Healthy Firefighter Program. Lillian graduated with a B.A. from East Carolina University and has worked for the NVFC since 2006.
Melissa Speed Director of Fire Corps Extension 18 (mspeed@firecorps.org) Melissa Speed is responsible for providing vision and direction for the Fire Corps program and oversees the development of all program tools and resources. She joined Fire Corps in 2007 after serving as both Program and Training Manager for the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Before joining ICMA, Melissa managed educational and training programs to assist local government officials from the developing world for the Institute of International Education (IIE). Melissa received a B.A. in Government from Connecticut College and an M.S. in International Development from the University of London, SOAS.
Lori Moon Fire Corps Program Coordinator Extension 23 (lmoon@firecorps.org) Lori Moon assists Melissa Speed with the implementation of the Fire Corps program. Before taking this position in 2006, Lori served with Fire Corps at the grassroots level as Fire Corps Team Leader for Johnson County Rural Fire District #1 in Clarksville, AR. Originally from Rogers, AR, Lori attended the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville where she received a B.S. in Marketing.
Kimberly Ettinger Director of Communications Extension 19 (kettinger@nvfc.org) Kimberly Ettinger joined the NVFC team 2006. She is the main media contact and oversees the Council's communications endeavors, including publications, web sites, and marketing initiatives. Previously, Kimberly served as the communications and development specialist at another DC-based nonprofit, and before that she worked for a newspaper in Newport News, VA. She graduated with a B.A. in History from The College of William and Mary and received her M.A. in Public Communications from American University.
Rachel Higginbotham Communications Associate Extension 27 (rachel@nvfc.org) Rachel Higginbotham joined the NVFC team in 2007 and assists Kimberly Ettinger in the NVFC's communications efforts, including newsletters, web sites, and other initiatives. She is also the point of contact for advertising in NVFC publications. Rachel is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she received her B.A. in International Studies, with a focus on business and communications.
Melaku Alito Accounting Specialist Extension 11 (malito@nvfc.org) Melaku Alito has an M.A. in Accounting and Financial Management from Keller Graduate School of Management, Devry University, Maryland. Joining the NVFC in 2007, Melaku handles accounts payable and receivable, budget development, and audit preparation.
Donna Clark Administrative Assistant Extension 10 Donna Clark is the point of contact for inquiries regarding membership, product ordering, and general inquiries to the NVFC. Prior to joining the NVFC, she served six years as the Executive Assistant for the Prince George ’s County (MD) Volunteer Firefighters Association. She comes from a family with strong roots in the fire and emergency services community and is also involved with her local Citizen Corps Council and Fire Corps.
Susan Dyer 443-994-3350 (susan@sdyerdesign.com) Susan Dyer provides graphic design services for the NVFC, including the Dispatch and Pulse newsletters.

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