Colonel (Retired) Edward V. DeShields, Jr.

 
COLONEL (Retired) EDWARD V. DESHIELDS, JR.

As of: April 2020

A native of Snow Hill Maryland, Colonel (R) Edward DeShields earned his commission as an Air Defense Artillery officer in 1987 through ROTC at Bowie State University, which was then aligned with the Howard University program.

His initial assignment in 1990 was to the 101St Airborne Division's Air Defense Battalion's Headquarters Battery as a Platoon Leader.  During the September 1990 start of Desert Shield / Desert Storm he led his Platoon through the execution of combat operations in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.  Upon redeployment from Iraq, he served as a Battery Executive Officer and as a Division Air Defense Plans Officer at Ft Campbell Kentucky.  COL (R) DeShields was promoted to Captain and was assigned to the 25TH Infantry Division (ID) in Hawaii as an assistant Battalion Operations Officer and as a Battery Commander.  After being assigned to the 25TH ID, he transitioned to Ft Polk Louisiana to assume duties as an Air Defense Observer Controller where he trained hundreds of Soldiers and was promoted to Major.  His final assignment as an operational Air Defense Officer was to the Battle Command Training Program in Ft Leavenworth Kansas.

COL (R) DeShields transitioned to the Army Force Management functional area in

2001 and has served at various command levels and in different organizations in a Force Management capacity for the past nineteen years.  COL (R) DeShields most recent operational deployment, 2015-2016, was to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.  His last Army active duty assignment was at Ft Belvoir Virginia where he served as the Director of the United States Army Manpower Analysis Agency.

COL (R) DeShields is not only an ROTC alum but is also a Bowie State football alum.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Bowie in 1989 and then a Master of Arts degree in Administration from Central Michigan University in 2000.  He is a graduate of the Army Air Defense Artillery Officer's Basic Course, Air Defense Artillery Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Army Force Management School, and the Command and General Staff College.

His military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.  He has earned the Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge and the German Military Proficiency Badge.  He is authorized to wear various unit patches in recognition of his service in combat.

COL (R) DeShields is married to the former Denise Purnell from Snow Hill, Maryland.  They have two sons; Edward III and Elijah.  COL (R) DeShields retired from active duty after thirty years of service in July of 2019.  He currently resides in Clinton Maryland and is working in the Pentagon supporting the Army staff.

Floretta Marjorie Lawson is currently a Professional Real Estate Agent serving Maryland and Washington, DC.  Through her thirteen years of experience, she specializes in Buyer Representation – specifically the First Time Home Buyer.  Floretta is also a certified instructor for Freddie Mac’s “Credit Smart” class.  In addition, Floretta has completed the training to serve as a Military Relocation Representative.  In 2019, she was named one of the Top Ten Producers in the Brokerage.

Floretta also worked as a Professional Services Systems Analyst for the Xerox Corporation from April, 1984 – January, 2020.  She served Xerox for 36 years working with various sales teams and supporting clients.  During her tenure, Floretta was a coordinator for the Xerox Community Involvement Program serving many local community non-profit activities and projects.  She served as a co-coordinator with the Black Women’s Leadership Council (a Xerox Caucus Group) focusing on the professional growth of the Black females.

Floretta’s motto -- “if I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain”.  With this passion, she is a true advocate for supporting the community and the needs of others by working with many local non-profit organizations.

Since 2007, Floretta has served as a Board Member for The Community Advocates for Family & Youth (CAFY).  It is the mission of this non-profit to embrace, educate, and empower those impacted, affected or harmed by crime or trauma.  She also serves as the housing consultant for displaced families.

Floretta is also serving as a Board Member for Gapbuster Learning Center, Inc., a nonprofit youth organization working with disadvantaged youth in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.  In addition, Floretta assumed the role as the ESL Instructor working with parents to learn English and obtain US Citizenship.  Floretta organized “The Closet” where the community received free clothes, shoes, toys, books and other household items.

She serves as Board Member for The Heart of Tabitha, a non-profit assisting females between the ages of 14 – 21 by providing community service opportunities, financial and personal development workshops.  One of the signature events – “The Prom Dress Drive”!

As a member of Ebenezer AME Church, Floretta serves on the Ebenezer Homeless Van Ministry, Potter’s House Ministry and the College Family Ministry.

Floretta also serves as 3rd Vice President for the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore Washington Metro Alumni Association.  Community service is the focus for this position.  As such, Floretta organizes the Adopt the Road Project and Christmas Giving for needy families.

As an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority since 1980, Floretta has been involved in many community service activities and social action initiatives.

Floretta received a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.  Floretta resides in Clinton, Maryland.  She has two adult children.

La’Kenya Walter is an accomplished Financial Specialist with over 15 years in the financial industry, serving both the private and public sector. Her financial background includes banking and financial analysis for loans and grants. La’Kenya has worked for the Department of Agriculture as a Financial and Loan Business Specialist for the last 3 years.  She previously worked for 12 years at BB&T bank

La’Kenya works well with senior corporate executives and provides consultation and financial guidance. In addition to her role as a Financial Specialist, La’Kenya has insight and proven results in grant writing.  . Based on her knowledge and skills, La’Kenya has the ability to help an organization thrive and reach its financial potential.

In July 2019, La’Kenya started her own consulting and grant writing business, The Oracle Consulting Group, LLC.  The mission of the organization is to provide support in business organization and aid businesses in researching and applying for grants at the local, state and federal levels.  

La’Kenya also serves her community with a servant heart.  She sits on numerous boards both as an officer and advisor.  Her involvement includes: Commissioner on the Charles County Commission for Women, Co-President of Business and Professional Women of Maryland, Treasurer and Finance Chair of the Board of Directors for Community Advocate for Families and Youth, 2nd VP for George Washington Carver Chapter of Blacks in Government, Board Member and Advisory Council member for Pure Play Every day, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.   

Patricia Williams is a System Analyst and has served for the past 25+ years as the    

             Coordinator of Xerox Community Involvement Projects in the Washington, DC area serving non-profit organizations throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.  

Patricia was granted the opportunity to serve her community in a full-time capacity through Xerox Corporation Social Service Leave Program.  AssisTting GapBuster Learning Center, Inc., a non-profit youth organization working with disadvantaged youth in the Silver Spring, MD and Prince Georges Co. area. She also worked and traveled with GapBuster student peer educators to South Africa. She currently serves on the Board of GapBuster, Inc. 

Patricia served as the Chair of the Silver Spring/Long Branch, Positive Youth Initiative Coalition of Montgomery County developed to prevent student involvement in gang activity and give students a place to go for after school activities.

Patricia is an experienced advocate and organizer of youth projects and continues to advocate at various public forums.  She served as the President of NAACP Parents Council on the MCPS/NAACP Committee to Award the Montgomery County, Principal/Teacher of the Year Award.  She served as Committee member for NAACP ACT-SO, and Study Circles Group to improve communication among groups of a diverse cultural background. 

Patricia currently serves as the President of the non-profit organization, Heart of Tabitha Foundation serving girls 14–21 by providing community service opportunities, financial and personal development workshops as well as providing clothing for girls in need.  

She serves on the Board of Montgomery County Maryland, Information Technology Foundation, a nonprofit organization established cooperatively by the Montgomery County business community and Montgomery County Public Schools to provide a unique method of training high school students for skilled positions in the IT field. 

Some of her highlighted affiliations and community support past and present include: 

• House Captain and Corporate Sponsor - Christmas In April, Prince Georges County
• Member Sargent At Arms LULAC Montgomery County, Maryland
• Founder and Organizer of E.A.S.Y Einstein Alliance for Serving Youth
• MD Dept. and Board of Education Revamp Committee School Discipline Regulations
• Served on Deputy Superintendents’ Partnership Board for MCPS/NAACP
• Served on selection committee for the Montgomery County Maryland Superintendent
• Served as a Member Youth Achieve Scholarship Panel 
• NAACP Montgomery County, Maryland Former Membership Chair
• Organize numerous fundraisers in support of non-profits in DC, MD, VA 
• Host many students from South Africa during their visit to the USA
• Co-Founder, Host & Member, Committee BWOD for Local and State Representatives 
• Membership Chair- BWLC and BWLC Scholarship Foundation Board Member
• Supporter of N Street Village shelter and Suited For Change
• Recognized for Women-Making a Powerful Difference
• Congressional Certificate for commitment to community service and advocacy
• Recipient of Montgomery County, Md Co. Executive Leadership and Advocacy Award
• Recipient of State of Maryland Governors Volunteer Service to citizens of Md Award 

Patricia received her degree from Louisburg College in Louisburg North Carolina.

Patricia and husband, James resides in Silver Spring.  They have four children.