The April 16, 2026 Luncheon Speaker will be
State Senator Danny Diggs

He will speak on topics relating to the "NO" campaign, and all of the
legislation recently passed by the Legislature and the Governor.

Also in attendance may be one or more state level senators.

The March 19, 2026 Luncheon Guest Speaker was Vincent Passero.

The February 19, 2026 Luncheon Speaker was:

Tracy Wainwright - JCC Supervisor

Ms. Wainwright was elected in 2025 and began her term in January, 2026 as a supervisor representing

the Powhatan District. She discussed her first impressions of the JCC BOS, and

and her ideas and proposals for the coming year.

The January 15, 2026 Luncheon Speakers

The December 18, 2025 Guest Speakers Were State Senators McDougle and Diggs.

Senators McDougle and Diggs spoke about the outlook for the Legislative Session beginning in January.

They began with a brief analysis of the topics that the Dems and Governor elect are discussing as their
priorities for the session. The 400 bills that Governor Youngkin vetoed, or which didn't pass the house
or senate are likely to be brought back, and expedited through the legislature session. In addition, it
is believed that they will propose Four Constitutional Amendments to the Virgina Constitution.

An amendment redistricting the US congressional districts to provide
a 10 to 1 Dem majority as it is currently viewed, and it could be even unanimous .

An amendment to allow any person to marry any person.

An amendment to allow abortion at
any time during a pregnancy up to and including delivery time.

An amendment giving a Right
to Vote to almost anyone, regardless of citizenship status.

These actions by the Legislature and Governor could change the State Of Virginia for ever.

Come hear what OF THE PEOPLE will try to do to educate and get the vote out in
opposition to these radical proposals.

The Senators spoke passionately about voters understanding the inherent costs to so many of the
programs being pushed by the Dems. While the Governor is already campaigning on an
affordability platform, the programs have costs that will inflate state, county, and city costs
to implement. Enhancing hand outs of benefits and putting in place socialist programs
will greatly inflate costs for all government entities, and of course raise taxes.

Much discussion was about energy costs. Legislative bills putting restrictions on how and
where energy is produced will raise prices. Clean energy bills, with over the top requirements
will raise energy prices. The implementation of collective bargaining in the state, versus
the current right to work status in Virginia will raise prices. Almost exactly copying
California trends will raise prices as they significantly cost small businesses more.

The Senators spoke about getting information to the approximate 500K voters who did
not vote this past election. They need to be informed ASAP about what the Dems are
planning, and how the news media is not telling the story.

Attached here is the brief flyer from the "Of The People" Group: CLICK HERE

The November 20, 2025 Guest Speaker Was

Jeff Ryer - Senate Republican Press Secretary & District #1 Chairman

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Jeff Ryer grew up in nearby Beverly, home to the Lodge family and, at that time, the closest Massachusetts had to a reliably Republican city. After fainting on the altar at the wedding of Beverly Mayor, Peter Fortunato’s daughter, Jeff was dismissed as an altar boy at Saint Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, ending his plans to pursue an ecclesiastical life.

Eventually overcoming this embarrassment, he went on to be elected president of his graduating classes at Briscoe Junior High School and Beverly High School. Stunning the faculty at Beverly High, Jeff was accepted to the College of William and Mary in Virginia. There, much to the surprise of the administration and the consternation of Government Department faculty, he earned a degree in Government, while simultaneously developing lifelong loves of scotch whiskey, tobacco, and the music of Randy Newman.

Putting his liberal arts degree to use in the field for which it best prepared him, Jeff Ryer began a successful seven-year career in retail automotive sales and management, initially selling Renault, AMC, and Jeep vehicles in Newport News, Virginia.

During the 1990s, he began managing political campaigns, specializing in local and state races in Virginia. Jeff Ryer continues in that field today and is the “Broadway Danny Rose” of his profession, serving as a consultant to Virginia’s most politically challenged Republican candidates and office holders.

Since 2010, Jeff Ryer has served as Press Secretary for the Virginia Senate Republican Caucus. A member of what is now the Williamsburg-James City County Republican Committee since 1993, Jeff was elected to the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia in 2016 and as Chairman of the First Congressional District Republican Committee in 2022.

At the November CARMA Luncheon, Jeff spoke about the issues of campaign funding, about the taking of important issues by the Dems and just saying whatever they wanted that they thought would be believed. In listening it sounded like many half-truths were said so many times that it all became just common knowledge. He spoke about the complete control of House of Delegates, the Senate, and the Governors mansion. Many folks realized towards the end of the campaign, that the Dems seemed to have more money for media, both digital and press, and that it was truly a blitz of information being sent out.

The October 16, 2025 Guest Speaker Was

Richard Timberlake

CARMA Member, Published Author, & Intelligence & Security Expert

Rick Timberlake is a former CIA operative with more than thirty-five years of experience in counterintelligence and clandestine operations. He has been featured in Who’s Who in America, 2024, and he has worked as a security consultant since his retirement.

With expertise in protective operations and physical security, his knowledge of global intrigue is unmatched. He teaches gun safety, and has written three novels.  His thriller fiction, enhanced by real-life insight, reflects a deep commitment to cultural awareness and personal safety. Richard Timberlake lives in Colonial Heritage, and has been a resident of Williamsburg, off and on, since 1957.

The September 18, 2025 Guest Speaker Was

WJCC Superintendent of Schools, Daniel Keever, PhD.

Dr. Keever spoke briefly about his work history, and how he started his carrer in education as a school security guard following his graduation from college. He drove a bus for high school sports teams to foster their participation in many different activities. He came to WJCC in September, 2020, and has been in central administration in a couple different roles since then, leading up to his appointment to be Superintendent earlier this year. He provided a data sheet on the school district as of the end of the 2024-25 school year. It is attached below. The first priority in the district is academic excellence, then followed by a number of other goals. He stressed the need to give every student an education that prepares them for either college or any other track they may be taking. The district is looking into workforce readiness programs as well as Junior ROTC (maybe a cadet program) and job (trades) education. There was quite a bit of discussion about vocational education.

Questions about the following topics were discussed: 1) the mentoring for new teachers in the district; 2) How they are working to strenthen the moral fiber of the schools; 3) the SOLs; 4) Health and wellness to help students pass military entrance requirements; 5) How non-english speaking students are affecting classrooms; 6) How, in cooperation with the school board, there are agenda items discussed with 16-18 month lead times.

Dr. Keever was thanked for his candid comments and managing the open discussion and questions during the luncheon. He was presented with the coveted and cherish CARMA crucible.

To Review the "Elevate 28" 2024-25 School District Fact Sheet: CLICK HERE

---------------------------------------------

Dr. Daniel F. Keever is a seasoned and student-centered educational leader with three decades of experience in PreK–12 public education. He currently serves as Superintendent of Williamsburg-James City County (WJCC) Schools, where he previously held roles as Deputy Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer. In these capacities, Dr. Keever has led strategic planning, operations, human resources, technology, and student services, while advancing the division’s Elevate’28 strategic priorities. Under his leadership, WJCC achieved significant improvements in teacher recruitment, student attendance, and school safety protocols.

Prior to his work in WJCC, Dr. Keever held multiple leadership positions in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, including Senior Executive Director for High Schools, high school and middle school principal, and Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated commitment to collaborative leadership, instructional excellence, and organizational improvement.

Dr. Keever holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University and is a licensed Division Superintendent in Virginia. A former classroom teacher and soccer coach, he is deeply committed to holistic student development and cultivating future-ready learning environments. His leadership is grounded in communication, innovation, and building strong relationships with staff, students, families, and the broader community.

The August 21, 2025 Luncheon Guest Speaker was

Delegate Amanda Batten

Delegate Batten discussed her history of service to the people of James City County, which includes being a volunteer with the County Committee, including Chairperson, and the working for the State Senator and Delegates from this area. She then went on to be asked to follow Delegate Pogge as the representative for the area, which has recently been reconfigured to change its boundaries. She spoke of various polling results and what is believed to be affecting various portions of her district and her prorities for the next legislative session.

She spoke of the many issues regarding energy production for Virginia, and the affects that data centers have on an area in general. She commented that without new sources, we could be facing significant grid shortages in the next ten years. She described her extensive door knocking efforts throughout the district, and how many folks are surprised to find her at their doors, but are appreciative. CARMA member comments and questions were very focused on the election and there were significant volunteers available to help her campaign on different tasks. Amanda Batten was thanked for her open comments, her humor at times, and for presenting many details that will never be read in the media. She was presented a bouquet of flowers for giving of her valuable time to address the luncheon group.

(Note - Congressman Wittman, originally scheduled, had to cancel, but will be
rescheduled as soon as possible.)