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2018 SESSION


HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 6
Celebrating the life of Mary Ann Hovis.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 12, 2018

 

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis of Fairfax County, an accomplished information technology professional and a dedicated community leader who worked to increase civic engagement among women, died on August 26, 2017; and

WHEREAS, a native of Smyth County, Mary Ann Hovis earned a bachelor’s degree from what is now Radford University and conducted graduate studies at the University of Tennessee; she remained a loyal alumna of Radford University throughout her life, serving on the Board of Visitors for more than 12 years, including three terms as rector; and

WHEREAS, an active supporter of academics, athletics, and the arts at Radford University, Mary Ann Hovis served on the Radford University Foundation Board of Directors and as president of the institution’s National Alumni Association; she received the institution’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her legacy of generous leadership; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis began a long career in information technology as a systems engineer with NCR Federal Systems and became the company’s first woman sales representative; she went on to hold leadership positions with Northern Telecom Limited, Pyramid Technology Corporation, ConTel Federal Systems, and GTE Federal Networks; and

WHEREAS, after more than 30 years in the technology field, Mary Ann Hovis retired as vice president of Suss Consulting, Inc., where she specialized in information technology marketing and strategic planning; she was also the first woman to serve as president of the National Capital Chapter of the Independent Telecommunications Pioneer Association; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis was passionate about civic engagement and served as chair of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee and as vice chair of the Democratic State Central Committee and Virginia’s 10th Congressional District Democratic Committee; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis inspired women to run for elected office as a member of Emerge Virginia, and she mentored and supported candidates for local government as chair of the Pat Jennings Project, which was named in honor of her late father, the Honorable W. Pat Jennings; and

WHEREAS, Mary Ann Hovis will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Bob, and numerous other family members, friends, and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Mary Ann Hovis, a highly admired community leader and a successful information technology professional; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Mary Ann Hovis as an expression of the House of Delegates’ respect for her memory.