Leadership Positions
President
Board Member
Tom Kappelmann ‘77
Then
Now
Tom “KAPP” attended NHS from 1973-1977 graduating WITHOUT honors. He lived in Erlangen and spent many hours (and evenings) with fellow Erlangeners at the DYA, Roller Rink and Pizza Bar.
KAPP returned to “The World” in August of 1977 and lived in Colorado Springs for a number of years. He met his wife Linda there and they have two grownup-kids (Samantha and Nicolas). Kapp spent 35+ years working in Austin, Texas in the Semiconductor industry before he and his wife moved to Galveston, Texas where they are now retired. He enjoys golf, fishing, working on NHS Eagles related stuff and time with his 3 grand daughters, Kylee(19), Sloane(4) and Logan(2).
President Emeritus
Board Member
Don Hutchins ’67
Then
Now
Don has served multiple terms on the NAA Board of Directors, and served as President of the Association from October 2012 until June 2025. Don attended NAHS for three years, and graduated in 1967. He lived in Dambach, traveled everywhere on his blue Vespa motor scooter, and was best known as the lead guitarist of his band “The Invaders” and as an announcer for “Teen Scene” on AFN Nürnberg.
Don earned a BSEE from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from the University of Dallas. His career was in international telecommunications, where he actively traveled the world working as a corporate executive, a serial entrepreneur, a strategy consultant, and an active board member and investor. Don is now retired and lives with his wife Barb in Napa, California. They have two grown children and four young grandchildren, all fortunately living nearby.
VP Marketing
Board Member
Pat Dickinson ’75
Then
Pat returned to the U.S. and attended college at Pacific Lutheran University graduating with a degree in journalism. He worked several different jobs in Alaska and the Seattle area before starting his own mechanical contracting firm in 2001. He retired last year. He enjoys fishing, traveling, working out, and Nurnberg Eagles activities.
VP Membership
Board Member
Greg Thomas ’80
Then
Now
Greg attended Berea College where he met his future wife Cindy the first day of school in their work study program. They dated throughout college and have been married for 40+ years. Greg graduated with a (BS) from Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nuclear Medicine and pursued a lifelong career in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He received numerous certifications, awards, patents, and distinctions throughout his career, recently retiring from Philips Medical Systems.
For fun, Greg is an ardent motorcycle racing fan, attending races throughout the world. He and his wife Cindy have logged many trips on their motorcycle from their home in Florida to their favorite views on the Blue Ridge Parkway. He has attended many sports car racing schools and currently participates in track day events.
Once located by his classmate from NAHS, Greg has since attended many alumni reunions, Wurstfest events, and coordinated mini-reunions with NAHS members throughout the last 20 years. His heart is for as many NAHS members as possible to reconnect with their classmates and friends.
VP Reunion Planning
Board Member
Jerry Thomas ’78
Then
Now
Jerry attended NHS from 1974-1977. He lived in Bamberg, where he has fond memories of time spent at the “Yellow House” with fellow Bambergers, participating in various social activities and catching up with friends. His time in Bamberg has been an especially meaningful time in his life. Jerry also played AYA baseball, enjoying the teamwork and friendship the sport fostered. On many weekends, he and his friends often rode the train to Nurnberg, making the most of their overseas experience, exploring new places through shared adventures. While at NHS, Jerry was actively involved in athletics, dedicating his time to playing football, wrestling, and running track.
After college, Jerry began a fulfilling career in the military as a Transportation Officer. He devoted 30 years to service, ultimately retiring in 2012. Following his military retirement, he transitioned to working in emergency management, where he continues to contribute as a federal employee in Washington, DC.
Jerry now resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife Julie and their dog Cinna. Their two adult children, Katelyn and Jadon, also live nearby. In his free time, Jerry enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and working on projects around the house.
Treasurer
Board Member
Diana (Bock) DuPree ’75
Then
However, being in the right place at the right time, she took a government test and was hired at DeWitt Army Hospital, Ft. Belvoir, VA then worked a short time at the Pentagon.
Eventually her family made their way back to San Antonio (SA), Texas where she continued her career as a Registered Health Information Administrator at several military hospitals, Wilford Hall Medical Center and Brooke Army Medical Center. She married, had one son, and now two amazing grandchildren.
Since retiring in 2012, after 38 years of federal service, she volunteers as an Ambassador at the SA airport, the USO (also at the airport), the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, Wreaths Across America, and The Conservation Society of SA. But her absolute favorite time is spent with Nurnberg Alum and other BRATS she has met along the way.
Secretary
Board Member
Dr. Shelley (Flippen) Conroy ’73
Then
Now
Shelley graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (BSN, MS) and the University of Central Florida (Ed.D) and pursued a career in nursing education, where she was a Dean of Nursing at four different universities before retiring in 2024. She continues to teach a doctoral course online and has a new retirement hobby as a travel agent. She developed a love of travel from all the places in the world the Army took us to. Shelley enjoys spending time with her family (husband, two adult children, and five grandsons) and her Border Collie, Tyler. Shelley has served on the NAHS Board of Directors for the past 14 years.
Trichter Editor
Board Member
Victor Rivera ’72
Victor Rivera “J.R. Flores” attended NAHS from 1970-1972, barely graduating. He lived across the street from NAHS, spending his time playing AYA sports, going to concerts, hanging out with his friends, while training in Taekwondo, eventually obtaining a black belt, 2nd dan.
He was honorably discharged from the Army, a Vietnam Era Veteran. He obtained a BS, M.Ed., MBA, and ABD. Victor worked in both the public and private sector, retiring from DoDEA with 30 years of federal service. He is happily married to his current wife, Ermelinda. He is the proud father of two children, Victor Andre and Michelle Marie, and a supportive grandpa of three grandchildren, Victor Jr, Miyera, and AJ. Victor enjoys traveling, photography, and gardening. Victor continues to teach part-time and to be involved with the NAHS Alumni Association as the current Trichter editor.
Legal Counsel
Board Member
Doug Veith ’67
Then
Now
I actually did all of my schooling K-12 in DODDS schools in Nurnberg/Fuerth, Germany. I attended Nurnberg High School from 1963 to 1967. God has blessed me with four children, Christopher age 37, Kerry age 35, Caroline age 33 and Timothy age 28.The “apple of my eye” is my one and only grandchild, Parker who is 12. I am a developer that is in the business of financing, developing, owning and operating inpatient care centers for us by hospices. My joys include spending time with Parker, flying, photography and fine cigars!
Assistant Reunion Planning
Board Member
Rita (Sexton) May ’68
Rita Sexton May attended NAHS 1965 – 1967. During her time living in Herzogenaurach, she spent many hours riding the bus back and forth, usually getting home late evenings riding the sports bus after cheer practice for three years on JV one and two years on Varsity. She participated in AYA softball and basketball at Herzo. Sadly departing at the end of her junior year, she graduated from Anne Arundel High School near Fort Meade, MD. Upon graduation, she held some interesting jobs while making her way to her final home in the Dallas – Fort Worth area, TX, via North Carolina and South Carolina.
Rita worked in the Investigations Office Army Security Agency, 31st Aeromedical Evacuation Group at Charleston AFB and Texas Motor Transportation in Austin. She moved to the Fort Worth area and at the age of 24 and started working at Bell Helicopter Textron, where she worked for 41 years. During her last 24 years, she worked in the International Sales and Marketing Department working her way up to Executive Leadership Team Admin and traveling the world working at Bell’s tradeshows. Rita now spends her time with friends and her family. She has two daughters, four granddaughters 25, 22, 20 and 19 and two grandsons 11 and 5 (long story). Rita has served on the NAHS Board of Directors for several years, helping with many tasks including reunion planning.
Assistant Treasurer
Board Member
Kim (Becker) Blacka ’82
Kim (Becker) Blacka attended NAHS from 1978-1981, moving back to Virginia the summer between junior and senior year. She met her husband on 1987 and married in 1988. They had two boys, then relocated to Utah in 1994. Two girls joined the family. She worked as a recess queen and a para-educator for many years before returning to college to obtain her teaching degree at the age of 53. She taught middle school English for four years before leaving teaching to help care for her dad and grand kids. She currently substitute teaches and enjoys spending time with her 10 grandchildren, eight of which live in Utah. Kim has been on the board of directors for eight years, formerly serving as secretary and is currently serving as assistant treasurer.
Assistant Webmaster
Board Member
Barbara (Dougherty) Dunnam ’84
Barbara Dunnam (maiden name Dougherty) was born on the mean streets of Brooklyn, New York, which gave her just enough street cred to scare people when she later landed in Nürnberg, Germany. Some may call it bullying—she called it “finding her place” and making sure no one picked on her for her bright orange curls and freckles.
Her “misspent” high school years were spent at Nürnberg American High School, where she mostly showed up for class. By graduation in 1984, she was half a credit short—but Mr Dye loved her and, Mr. Philpot just wanted her gone was so they handed her a diploma anyway.
At NAHS, Barb was Editor of the Trichter, played soccer, and proudly held membership in her favorite club: the Smoking Area at break and lunch. She lived in Kalb with “the cool kids” and spent her free time roller skating in Erlangen, running around downtown Nürnberg, or hanging out at The Cave, Chicago Club, or Mike’s.
Barb credits her NAHS years with pointing her toward a lifelong career working with kids. Her very first job out of high school was with the MSA summer camp at Geiselwind, where, surrounded by a million screaming kids, she realized: “Hey, I actually like this crap.” That spark grew into a career—she went on to earn her undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University in Chicago.
Life after high school was just as colorful. Barb and fellow ’84 alum Eric Deschner got married in secret after she “told” her parents she was heading to El Paso for college. (Spoiler: she got off the plane in Charleston, South Carolina, hitched a ride to Fort McClellan, and got married instead.) They didn’t tell a soul for eight months—finally breaking the news at Christmas in Nürnberg. Together, they raised three wonderful “eaglets” and now have 16 amazing grandchildren.
Later, Barb married Cris Dunnam and gained a stepson she describes as “the most amazing anyone could ask for.” Sydney gets full credit for teaching her how to make art out of almost anything.
Like any true military brat, Barb has lived everywhere. These days, she calls Hays, Texas home, where she wrangles a 15-year-old, plays with her mini pigs, rescues cats and pigs, and works hard to fund both college tuition and her cruise habit. Professionally, she serves as an executive director in the nonprofit world, where she continues to focus on children, families, and saving the planet one human at a time.
Assistant Marketing
Board Member
Randy Glenn ’78
Then
Now
After graduating, my father purchased my first car, and I began the University of Maryland while working in Grafenwöhr and Vilseck, Germany. In 1980, my Dad PCSed back to the United States, and I continued my journey at Auburn University. It was during this time that I made the decision to pursue a military career.
I put in 31 years in the U.S. Army, dedicating my career to leadership, service, and the development of others. Following my retirement from active duty, I transitioned into the private sector, working as a security contractor across the Middle East, supporting missions in some of the most complex environments in the world.
Currently, I am a consultant with ManTech International, a leading government contracting company. My team and I provide support to the U.S. military in the field of autonomous ground vehicles and emerging drone technologies, ensuring our nation’s warfighters are equipped with cutting-edge capabilities.
Historian
Martha (Morey) Liehsel ’68
Era Rep ’40s
Era Rep ’50s
Faculty Rep
Pat (McCarroll) Wood ’59
Then
Now
I went to Nurnberg in 1952 and attended Nurnberg from sixth grade on – graduating in 1959.My Dad was a civilian with EES which is now AAFES. He worked at the Place of Justice which is where the Nurnberg trials were held.
Upon returning to the states (NY) I started working for Scandinavian Airlines, and was in and out of the airline industry for most of my working life. I retired in 2000 as Executive Secretary for Mexicana Airlines at the airport here in San Antonio.
My husband Woody and I always enjoy traveling – we now have a camper and have driven to Alaska three times, and travel the US as much as possible.
We have three children, Mike, Jane and Clif.
Life is good!!