What We Do
About MOAA-Houston Area
The national MOAA organization exists to preserve the benefits earned by all service members, past and present, and offers resources that can’t be found elsewhere. Most importantly, its mission is to help connect its membership with others, because MOAA believes in taking care of those who take care of us. For more information go to MOAA.
The MOAA-Houston Area chapter is one of the many local chapters across America and is organized as a 501(c)(19) nonprofit corporation and is governed by a Board of Directors.
MOAA-Houston Area’s Board of Directors is comprised of Officers formally elected by the membership and, as necessary, other appointed volunteer directors. The Board meets monthly and all members are invited to attend. The Board meetings review the financial condition of the chapter, discuss current topics that are of particular interest to the chapter, approve expenditure of resources, recommend and refer to the membership issues that require chapter approval, among other pertinent matters.
The Board publishes a slate of prospective officers to the membership which elects the officers from that slate of nominees at the last member luncheon of the calendar year for the following calendar year. The Board also reviews the Chapter Bylaws annually and submits all recommended changes to the membership for a vote at the last luncheon meeting each year. Prior to the vote, the slate of officers and recommended changes are emailed to each member for review.
The elected Board Officers for 2025 are:
- John (J.C.) Nicholson, CAPT USN (Ret) – President
- Jeffrey (Jeff) Hokett, COL US Space Force (Ret) – Vice President
- Ivan L. Santiago, CW5 USA (Ret) – Secretary
- Alan R. Ostendorp, MAJ, USAF (Ret) – Treasurer
The appointed Board members for 2025 are:
- Rick Miller, CAPT USN – TCC Chapter Representative
- Gene Tulich, CDR, USCG (Ret) – Legislative and VSO’s Liaison
- Judith Thomas – Surviving Spouse MOAA Liaison
- David Essells, USAR, MAJ (Ret) – Chapter Chaplain
- Denis Blindauer, LTC – ROTC/JROTC Liaison
- Kathy Frank – Chapter Newsletter Editor
Our Mission:
The Military Officers Associate of America – Houston Area’s mission is to provide the Houston area military community with information, education and outreach regarding issues and topics important to it. Concurrently, our Chapter connects our membership and their spouses with fellow members, as well as other former military officers throughout Texas and across the nation. MOAA-Houston Area also supports a number of local programs in response to military activities or in recognition of the sacrifices made by local service members and their families and in particular, is especially committed to the Surviving Spouses of former military members.
Membership is available to any Officer who has held a Federal Warrant or Commission in any of the eight uniformed services of the United States, their surviving spouses and eligible ROTC Cadets.