Remembering 32-years of service with PVA
By Charles Brown
There are moments when you must say goodbye and you’re not ready, and there are opportunities when you’re able to say goodbye and still not ready!
This is one of those times where I get to say goodbye to somebody with whom I’ve worked closely. I’ve gotten a chance to work with her directly as Paralyzed Veterans of America
(PVA) national president for the last 18 months and with her indirectly while serving on the PVA Executive Committee over the last 12 years.
On Feb. 10, Carol Moore Hayes retired after 32 years of working with the PVA president’s office as the executive assistant. Carol served 12 presidents and 32 executive committees inside PVA. She has witnessed a lot and will put all of those secrets in the vault. I’m not even sure her husband knows everything. Carol is that kind of professional, and that’s why I want to dedicate this month’s column to her.
I was elected PVA national president during the May 2021 annual convention in Las Vegas and began that role in July of that year. From that moment on, Carol took me under her wing and showed me more things about being a PVA president than I could have ever imagined. When she originally told me I would be the last president she worked under,
I was stunned.
I first met Carol in 1993 at the annual convention in Minneapolis when I was just 28. I never realized that young lady would transpire to be a wonderful and incredibly professional executive assistant.
During her time at PVA, Carol has made countless improvements to our programs, helping how our organization functions. I don’t know them all, but I can promise you the things that she has done will never be forgotten. This is why I’m gloomy to see Carol retire. I can’t believe that I’ve been around to see her start her career with PVA, and now I am able to watch her move forward to this next stage of her life.
PVA can find someone to fill her role, but we’ll never find a replacement for Carol. She’s a confidant, a friend and a colleague. I know, for me, this is a sad moment but a joyful moment, as Carol gets to enjoy this new chapter of her life.
She has earned it well, and she deserves all of the love and respect we can give her. I want to thank the past presidents who wished Carol a happy retirement. I’m sure the ones who are no longer here are wanting the same things for her. Carol will always be a part of the PVA family, and she has promised to come back to visit.
Thank you, Carol, for your hard work, dedication and years of service to me, our PVA members and our mission. Happy traveling!
