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 Officer.
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.
Treasurer
CPT USA Marcel C. Minutolo, Ph.D. served in the 29th ID from 1986 to 1989 and then the 28th ID from 1998 to 2007. Originally inlisted as an 11B and later served as a dragon gunner. He later got comissioned through Officer Candidate School as an Intelligence Officer. He served as a mechanized platoon leader, a BICC, an S2, and the Company Commander for the 556 MICO, 56th Stryker Brigade. He was deployed to Bosnia-Herzigovina, and Katrina and Rita, and has extensive MI experience. His Ph.D. is in Stragic Management with a focus on Artificial Intelligence.
Secretary
Vacant
Immediate Past President & Board of Directors
CAPT USN (Ret) Bob Heister 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.
Currently Serving on the Board of Directions are:
CW4 USA (Ret) Thomas Tallon. He served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service. He also currently serves as the MOAA representative on the State Veterans Home Advisory Council for the Southwestern Veteran's Center
COL USA (Ret) Carmen DiGiacomo. He served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX.
LTJG USN Chad Rittle. He served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX. 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.
There are currently three vacancies on the Board of Directors.
ROTC Liaison
LTC USA (Ret) Chuck Chasler served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service.
Legislative Liaison
CAPT USN (Ret) Richard Boehm served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service.
Surviving Spouse Liaison
Oralia Ferretti was a military spouse from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service.
Events Coordinator
Pat Seda-Rivera was a military spouse from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service.
Newsletter Editor
LTC USA (Ret) Jon Comis
Chaplain
1LT USA (Ret) Ed Blank served in XXXX from XXXX to XXXX. 1-2 Sentences about service.
Membership Chair
Vacant
MOAA State Veterans Home Advisory Council Members
Southwestern Veteran's Center
CW4 USA (Ret) Thomas E. Tallon
Erie Soldiers & Sailors Home
MAJ USA (Ret) Richard J. DiGiacomo