Suzie Schwartz – President of Military Spouse Programs
As the wife of recently retired Air Force Chief of Staff, General Norton Schwartz, Suzie has long been a champion for military spouses and families. She has worked tirelessly in support of the military community, helping them achieve their goals. Suzie is active in numerous military related charities, including the Fisher House Foundation. She has also served as an Air Force Aid Society board member and on the Air Force Charity Ball Committee. She is a passionate supporter of the Military Child Education Coalition and worked hard to in from the U.S. Air Force on the benefits the Coalition can offer to military communities and families by increasing awareness of the challenges facing the highly mobile military child, and implementing programs to meet these challenges.
Janine Boldrin – Managing Editor of Military Spouse
Janine is the managing editor of Military Spouse. She is an Army spouse and was the 2016 Pentagon Spouse of the Year. Janine was a freelance writer for ten years. Her essays and articles have appeared in books, national magazines and newspapers, and online. She has been involved with many nonprofits serving military families. In 2014, Janine teamed up with another Army spouse and started a magazine and media company for military kids. The company was sold in June 2017. Janine is passionate about helping military spouses and kids tell their stories. She is excited to be a part of the 2018 AFI Military Spouse of the Year event and can’t wait to meet the spouses who attend.
Kariah Manwaring – MSOY & Military Spouse Digital Marketing Specialist
Kariah manages the editorial writers and digital content, executes all digital initiatives and campaigns, and strategizes to make Military Spouse the best resource for military spouses and their families. Kariah also help to manage the MSOY program and works behind the scenes to make it all come together each year. Kariah loves pursuing her passion to serve others and give back to those who have given so much. She was drawn to this organization by the inspiring and brilliant individuals involved and thoroughly enjoys helping to further the mission to engage with this vibrant, military community. This is Kariah’s 4th year on the Military Spouse of the Year team, and she is truly inspired by the spouses the program recognizes and is so excited to make it even better in 2018 and beyond. She looks forward to growing the MSOY program and encouraging military spouses to be influential in their own communities.
Joe Maiocco – Lead Art Director
Joe is the Lead Art Director for Military Spouse and the MSOY program. He specializes in branding and identity development, illustration, publication design and environment design. There is a good chance you’ve worked with Joe if you have ever been involved in a photoshoot or featured in the magazine. Joe believes that design has the power to make change and improve the lives of others. Being able to showcase and help improve the lives of the military community is an honor he will never take for granted. Joe holds a degree from Pittsburgh Technical College, and now serves as a board member on its Graphic Design Advisory Board. He is a member of the American Institute of Graphic Artists (AIGA) and Pittsburgh Dribbble chapters.
Anthony Vingas – Video Production Specialist
Anthony is the Video Production Specialist for Military Spouse. If you’re watching a Military Spouse video, chances are he wrote, shot, edited, or produced it. After running live video from the 2016 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year event, Anthony was able to shoot a few interviews with some of the top influencers in the military spouse community. He looks forward to this year’s event and being able to meet and network with a brand new group of military spouses. Anthony holds a degree in filmmaking and has worked visual effects on a few Hollywood films (Soul Surfer, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Trader).
Lain Harvey – MSOY Event Coordinator
Lain works as the Military Spouse of the Year Event Coordinator. She grew up as a military child and brings 12 years experience as an Army spouse volunteer. Over the years, she has held many roles within her family readiness groups as a leader and advisor and as a board member in various chairs at her installation’s spouse clubs. She also has worked for several non-profits as a founding member and volunteer. She believes a strong spouse network is key to survival and success in military life and is passionate about reaching out, especially to young spouses. Lain is honored to be part of the AFI Military Spouse of the Year team.
Upcoming Dates
Nominations Open – Jan. 2
Nominations Close – Jan 31
Meet the Candidates – Feb. 2
Base Vote Begins – Feb. 5
Base Vote Ends – Feb. 9
Base Winners Announced – Feb. 13
