PITTSBURGH CHAPTER
About the MOAA Pittsburgh Chapter
MOAA was founded as The Retired Officers Association (TROA) in Los Angeles, California, on February 23, 1929. The first leaders of the association hoped that by joining together they could provide assistance and advice to other military officers. After a membership vote in September 2002, the association changed its name from The Retired Officers Association (TROA) to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), on January 1, 2003.
Our local chapter was chartered on November 11, 1965 as the Steel City Retired Officers Club and changed our name to the MOAA Pittsburgh Chapter after the National name change.
President
LTC USAR (Ret) Jon P. Comis served as enlisted and then officer for thirty (30) years in the USAR. Trained overseas in Panama and Germany. Served in the 3rd Psyop Company state side during the Persian Gulf War, later deployed to Bosnia as the Compliance Chief for the 3ID (2001), Iraq (336th MP BN/2004), and Kuwait/Bahrain (316th ESC/2012-3). LTC Comis is a retired ACPD Detective.
Chaplain
MAJ (Father) John Dinello
Vice President
CPT Daniel Kysela served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard from 2002 to the present. He served 15 years as an enlisted infantryman before receiving a direct commission as an infantry officer. He deployed to to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kosovo during Operation Joint Guardian.
Secretary
VACANT
Treasurer
VACANT
Immediate Past President
CAPT USN (Ret) Bob Heister
Bob served as chapter president from 2018-2024. He also served as the first VP MOAA PA Council of Chapters (PACOC) from 2019-2021, and PACOC council president from 2021-2023. Bob is also a retired Allegheny County Assistant District Attorney.
The Board of Directors
COL USA (Ret) Carmen DiGiacomo. Carmen
Carmen is one of our chapter's Past Presidents 2010-2018.
LTC (Ret) Dan Hart
Dan is retired National Guard/Army Reserve with thirty-one (31) total years service. He enlisted in 1981 and was commissioned in 1984. He was initially a Field Artillery Officer and later changed his MOS to Personnel. Dan deployed to Iraq in 2011 and retired in 2012. Dan also served as an ROTC Instructor during his career.
BG (Ret.) Bob Pleczkowski (United States Army Reserve Pennsylvania Ambassador)
Bob has served as the Deputy Chief of Chaplains, Reserve Component at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains (Pentagon) and as the Director of the US Army Institute for Religious Leadership at Fort Jackson, SC.
He held key command and staff chaplain positions at the United States Army Reserve Command and various other Army Reserve units. He was mobilized and served with the 20th Engineer Battalion, 1 CAV Division at Fort Hood and deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan with the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum.
He had worked as Program Director, Clinical Supervisor and Psychologist at The Pressley Ridge Schools in Pittsburgh and also worked as a therapist and counselor in other agencies. He has also served in a number of parish and diocesan assignments in the Pittsburgh area. He is active in a number of veteran’s organization. He will focus on engaging community and military leaders, supporting local ROTC programs, and educating various organizations about the value and mission of the Army Reserve.
CW4 USA (Ret) Thomas Tallon
Tom is retired active duty Army. He served over twenty-four years on active-duty between 1975 and 2000 rising from a private to a Chief Warrant Officer Four. After attending WOBC in 1985, Tom has held numerous leadership positions while in Germany, Korea and serving during combat operations in Operations Desert Shield/Storm. During his time of service, he earned many awards including numerous MSMs, BSM and a Legion of Merit. Tom also serves as the President for the Advisory Council at the Southwest Veterans Center in Pittsburgh. Tom is also one of chapter's Past Presidents 2001-2002.
LTJG USN Chad Rittle
Chad served during Vietnam. He graduated from Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, May 1971. Assigned to USS Sunbird, ASR-15 stationed in Groton CT from May 1971 - May 1974. Assigned Submarine Rescue Operations in areas of the North Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean area of operations.
CW02 Wayne Wicks
ROTC Liaison
Events Coordinator
Pat Seda-Rivera is a surviving spouse and our events planner - 2005-Present.
Pat is the organizer and planner of all events including our luncheons and Bingo.
Surviving Spouse Liaison
Newsletter Editor
Vacant
LTC USA (Ret) Jon Comis -Acting
Membership Chair
Vacant
LTC USA (Ret.) Dan Hart- Acting
Legislative Liaison
LTC William Pentecost
412-221-9539
Bill has served over thirty years in the USAR before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2019. He received his commission at Providence College, RI where he obtained a BS degree in accounting. He then continued to move forward and graduate with a J.D. from Duquesne University Law School in Pittsburgh, PA in 1996 as summa cum laude. He has several positions in the army reserves including The Chief of Legal Assistance, 99th RSC, Coraopolis, PA, Staff Judge Advocate, 981h Division, Ft. Benning, GA, and Regional Defense Counsel, 161h JAG, Ft. Hamilton, NY.
Bill has also served in high responsible positions with the Reserve Officers Association (ROA) including National Judge Advocate, Department President-Army, Wall of Gold, Pershing Society and Organizational Structure & Policy Review Tiger Team.
He has been a partner with Cipriani & Werner, P.C. (Pittsburgh, PA) since 2015.
MOAA State Veterans Home Advisory Council Members
Southwestern Veteran's Center
CW4 USA (Ret) Thomas E. Tallon - President
Erie Soldiers & Sailors Home
MAJ USA Richard J. DiGiacomo - Secretary