Serving the chiropractic profession has been my vocation for nearly 30 years, not long after my best friend’s chiropractor boyfriend showed me an alternative to the pills I relied on to “manage” chronic Fibromyalgia pain. When I semi-retired in 2003, after seven years as a VP at the American Chiropractic Association, I had enjoyed a rewarding career in corporate and association management, sales and customer service, and business development. I was in the process of moving from Northern Virginia to the mountains when my friend and colleague Dr. Greg Walter in Roanoke mentioned a “part-time” job helping the Virginia Chiropractic Association. It was the perfect opportunity to continue to serve the profession that meant so much to me -- but I soon discovered that semi-retirement would have to wait…
Fast forward 21 years. I’ve been honored to be with you as we grew, expanded benefits, built a team, learned, unified, and grew some more. I’m incredibly proud to have been able to support leaders like Drs. Bill Ward, Brad Robinson, and so many others during the multi-year process that led to the 2009 unification of the Virginia Chiropractic Association and Virginia Society of Chiropractors. I’m even more proud to say that thanks to continued strong leadership and membership, that unity remains strong, 15 years later. Together we have worked through economic ups and downs, a challenging healthcare arena, a pandemic, and an evolving profession. I have watched the media shift from looking for every opportunity to denigrate chiropractic to pro-actively supporting UVCA President Dr. Michelle Rose’s efforts to improve chiropractic access to Veterans. Yes, I know there’s plenty more work to do. But I’m grateful to have been along for the ride across Virginia – sometimes bumpy but always forward – these past two decades.
Now it is time for me to shift my focus to family. But beyond that, it is time for a new team leader that can support your Board of Directors in taking the Association to the next level. It is time for a new executive director to discover how special you are.
That person is Ms. Court Squires.
Court Squires has 20 years of launching, developing, implementing, and executing successful campaigns, partnerships, and both public and private initiatives. Her experience in business, human resources, financial management, and nonprofit operations is well suited to the UVCA’s needs. From working with volunteer boards and other stakeholders, training and managing teams, cultivating productive collaborations, and developing successful programs, to keeping up with the latest social and technological trends and supporting public health and welfare advocacy groups, she has demonstrated empathy, professionalism, and strategy. Furthermore, Court brings to the table a master’s in organizational dynamics (Leadership / Sustainable Development) from the University of Pennsylvania, an International Business Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University, and studies in both journalism and conservation biology from Boston University.
Effective immediately, Ms. Court Squires is the Executive Director of the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association and I am Immediate Past Executive Director. Court and I are working together to ensure a smooth transition and the UVCA team is very well poised for this next chapter. I will provide support to Court for a while and then possibly some specific program/project assistance. Both Court and I appreciate the Board of Directors for its vision and confidence during this exciting time.
Please stop by our upcoming Fall Convention in Williamsburg so I can give each of you a big hug goodbye and introduce you to Court. I know you will give her the phenomenal support, insights, and guidance you have always given me.
