Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed 2020 to be the Year of the Woman in Maryland.
#MarylandYOW
MDVA has been highlighting the dedicated women in Maryland who volunteer to serve on state commissions which support Maryland Veterans in previous editions of the e-newsletter.
To continue this series, Penny Collins who serves on the Maryland Veterans Commission is featured. Penny provided the following information:
Commissioner Penny Collins serves on the Maryland Veterans Commission. She was appointed by Gov. Hogan in 2017 and represents the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) on the Commission. Penny also works on the Commission’s subcommittees on Incarcerated Veterans and Use of Opioids by Veterans and their Treatment.
As a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve for 34 years, Penny participated in both active duty and reserve assignments including developing the Coast Guard’s Homeland Security Outreach Program, “America’s Waterway Watch” for the boating public. As a Yeoman Chief Petty Officer, Penny supervised and managed several reserve teams who performed administrative functions for reservists and active duty members. She received several military awards including the Meritorious Service Medal with 1/Gold Star, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Commandant’s Letter of Commendation, and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 1/Gold Hour Glass, just to name a few. She retired from the Coast Guard Reserve on September 1, 2007.
From 2007 to 2017, Penny served as the Director-Membership Development for FRA managing all membership programs including recruiting, retention and outreach. Penny previously worked for Raytheon Company and GE/Lockheed-Martin in the Washington metro area providing human resources management and development services. She is a native Washingtonian and a graduate of, Howard and Bowie State Universities. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, respectively.
Penny is a member of several organizations, which focuses on membership, veteran’s issues and community service. In FRA, she is currently the Secretary/Treasurer of Annapolis Branch 24. Penny is a Life Member, Past President-Branch 024, and Past Chairman, Central Liaison Committee (CLC). She also served as the FRA Regional President East Coast representing over 7,000 sea service shipmates on FRA’s National Board of Directors. Other leadership roles include Past Senior Regent, Women of the Moose Chapter 661, Annapolis, MD, United States Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer’s Association (CPOA)-Washington, DC Chapter, Life Member of American Legion and a member of Post 108-Cheverly, MD, The Red Hat Society, Bowie, MD; National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Washington, DC Chapter; and Life Member, Blacks in Government (BIG), Coast Guard Chapter. She is a Chapter Service Officer for Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Chapter 7, Bowie, MD and assists veterans with filing their VA disability Claims. Penny volunteers for activities supporting veterans, youth and senior citizens. Penny is a resident of Bowie, MD.
|
