President Robert L. Thomas Jr., returns for third straight year
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) National President and Chair of the Board Robert L. Thomas Jr., will be returning to the PVA Executive Committee for a third straight year.
Thomas, along with others, were voted in by the PVA Board of Directors on Friday during PVA’s 79th Annual Convention at the Hilton Austin in Austin, Texas. Their terms run July 1 to June 30, 2026.
Thomas says the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spinal cord injury and disease (SCI/D) system of care is his top priority.
“My plan for the next coming year is to ensure that the SCI system of care is well-funded and maintained with the nurses and doctors that it needs to take care of our members, to stay as a big advocate and voice for the members, to be in front of Congress, as well as the secretary of the VA, to continue to press our concerns,” Thomas says.
PVA’s Senior Vice President Tammy Jones is back on the executive committee again, too. She will serve her second consecutive year as senior vice president after being voted in last year as PVA’s first female senior vice president in its history. Both Thomas and Jones were voted in by acclamation.
Josue Cordova, Lawrence “Louie” Mullins Jr., and Anne Robinson will also return as vice presidents. Cordova will return for his fifth straight term, while Robinson will return for her third consecutive term and Mullins for his second straight term.
Meanwhile, Marcus Murray will move from his role as secretary to become the new and fourth vice president, replacing Ken Ness.
An Army veteran, Murray had previously run twice for vice president but didn’t get enough votes. This time, though, was different.
“Third time’s a charm,” Murray says.
After serving this past fiscal year as secretary, as well as from 2019 to part of the 2023-24 year, Murray says he’s ready.
“It shows me progress and my accomplishments and that I can do what I put my mind to,” Murray says.
Murray says he was also proud to be voted in with his son, 22-year-old Dayvion, in attendance.
Murray hopes to bring continued leadership, guidance and teamwork to his new role.
“Continue to be receptive to advice as it’s given, be willing to learn and applying my knowledge and experience,” he says.
Additionally, Treasurer Tom Wheaton was voted in by acclamation and will serve his 12th straight year.
Matt Peeling will be on the executive committee for the first time and will serve as secretary, taking over Murray’s position. He was voted in by acclamation.
An Army veteran, Peeling is currently the PVA Colonial Chapter’s national director and has also worked for a couple of other nonprofit organizations, including the Baltimore County 4-H in Maryland for 43 years.
“I’m excited. You know, hopefully I’m here to help and move things forward and improve processes and just continue the great work that Marcus Murray’s been doing,” Peeling says.
PVA’s Immediate Past President Charlie Brown will also stay on the committee.
