Board Members

Maryann Hites, USMWV President & Founding Member

Hi! My name is Maryann Hites. I have a passion for women veterans and believe the contributions we made were crucial to this country's freedom, no matter what our job (AFSC, MOS, etc.) entailed; so, we need to stand up and be counted for those contributions!  

I joined the U.S. Air Force in 1973. I went in a few months after high school graduation (the final years of Vietnam).  Women were not especially welcome then (today is not much different). So many stories can be told, especially about being a female and single parent...

My assignments included RAF Alconbury, England, (first female vehicle operator at Alconbury); Hahn AB, Germany; Osan AB, Korea; and Florennes AB, Belgium. My stateside assignments were Lackland AFB, Texas (Basic Training); Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Charleston AFB, South Carolina; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Dyess AFB, Texas; and, Peterson AFB, Colorado. I travelled a great deal on TDYs (temporary duty) all over.  I loved playing on the Air Force softball and volleyball teams, so much fun!  I retired at Peterson AFB as a Master Sergeant in November 1996 after serving 23 years. 

After retiring, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I returned to school for general education and decided on nursing, earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1999 (UCCS Colorado) and later, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Norwich University in Vermont.  I have worked in several medical areas and was glad to have experienced them all. 

I am active with the local American Legion (William Lopp Post 284) and VFW (W.C. Miller) Post 2756 here in Thomasville.  I also am on the NC Memorial Day Parade Committee. I feel that community involvement is important.

I currently reside in Thomasville, NC with my husband Tom and our two rescue dogs Minnie and Rosie. I have one daughter and three grandchildren (a boy (3 yo) and two girls (2 yo & 13 yrs old). I am a native of Pembroke Pines, FL.

I am devoted to helping build a strong, unified network of female veterans in the Triad, offering support, mentorship, and encouragement wherever it is needed.

Ronnie-Sue Simmons-Secretary

I starting serving in July 1983 by enlisting in the Air National Guard unit in South Carolina, later transferring to ANG Missouri and ended my military career as an IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee) in the Air Force Reserves earning an Air Force retirement after 29 years of service, 13 years of which were on active duty. I retired as an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant while assigned at the Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon in September 2012.

I served in the Middle East-Persian Gulf during Desert Storm as NCOIC of the C-130 base clinic in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

I worked in three career fields during my career, Logistics (MICAP technician), Medical (flight medical technician) and Information Management. During my career I visited most of the United States and several countries, including Panama, Germany, Guatemala, Columbia, Italy, England, and Iceland besides the Middle East.

After retiring militarily, I worked for several years as a Defense Contractor, at Homeland Security, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (Ft Belvoir, VA), Department of Veterans Affairs “Tech World” in Washington, DC and Department of Defense, International Security Affairs at the Pentagon before retiring permanently in June 2015.

I was born & raised in Pennsylvania and now currently reside in Thomasville, NC with my sister Karen and her husband Tom and our 7+ cats. I am currently active in the VFW and American Legion Posts, and the US Military Women Veterans Group in Thomasville, and am a volunteer for almost anything!

I remain committed to strengthening the Triad community by supporting, uplifting, and advocating for the female veterans who call this region home.

Krista Beaver-Projects Coordinator  

I served 20 years on active duty in the United States Navy. I began my career as a USN Nurse Corps Candidate (1973–1975) and earned my Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capital University School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio. I later completed a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas in 1995 and obtained my Certified Case Manager credential in 2020.

My duty assignments included Great Lakes, Illinois; Charleston, South Carolina; Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Millington, Tennessee, where I retired. I served during the Vietnam era, the Gulf War, and Desert Storm. My professional experience spans General Medicine in U.S. Naval Hospitals, Disaster Relief Operations during Hurricane Hugo (1989) in coordination with the American Red Cross, and training U.S. Navy Corpsmen for deployment with the U.S. Marine Corps. During my service, I also participated in women’s sports—including bowling, sailing, swimming, and softball—and volunteered as a youth baseball coach and American Red Cross swimming instructor. I retired at Millington Naval Air Station in 1984 as a Lieutenant (LT/O‑3), Nurse Corps.

Following military retirement, my most recent civilian employment was with Home Instead Senior Care in Lexington, North Carolina (2019–2026), where I conducted assessments for veterans seeking qualification for home health services.

I am a native of North Olmsted, Ohio, and currently reside in Thomasville, North Carolina, near my son, daughter‑in‑law, and nine grandchildren. I am active in supporting foster care programs and participate in both American Legion Post 284 and VFW Post 2756 in Thomasville. I am a member of Rich Fork Baptist Church, serving on the Medical Team and in the Women’s Ministry as the Service Project Coordinator. I also enjoy swimming and group exercise as a member of the Thomasville YMCA.

I value time spent with fellow veterans and their service dogs. I am the proud owner of Anchor, a 10‑year‑old Dalmatian who is liver‑spotted with a distinctive ear patch. He is a fully qualified service dog, trained through Dogs on Duty.

My desire for the USMWV organization is to honor and recognize the contributions of female veterans—past, present, and future—who have served in the United States Armed Forces. I am currently serving as the interim Chaplain.  I am dedicated to elevating the voices and experiences of women veterans throughout the Triad, ensuring their service is recognized and their needs are met.

Kim Lyons - Treasurer