City man new NARFE president

View larger image Beaudoin

By M.K. Luther - mkluther@nvdaily.com

WINCHESTER -- A city man will serve as the president of a national association for federal government retirees and employees.

Joseph "Joe" Beaudoin, 75, was elected president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association at the group's 31st biennial meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Wednesday, according to a news release.

Beaudoin is a member of the Winchester-based Chapter 180 and currently is vice president of the organization.

Beaudoin said in a Thursday telephone interview that he will officially take over as president Nov. 1.

NARFE, with more than 300,000 members and 1,400 chapters, strives to protect the benefits of both active and retired federal employees, Beaudoin said.

"Fortunately, we have been able to protect these [benefits] for two decades," Beaudoin said. "Right now, we are concerned about various cost-savings measures Congress may consider."

"Once you retire, you have no one to help you or assist you -- NARFE has filled that void since 1921," Beaudoin said.

Beaudoin worked as an air-traffic controller for 20 years and then as a FAA accident investigator for 28 years.

Beaudoin and his family first came to Virginia when he transferred from New Hampshire to the Washington-based headquarters in 1978.

Beaudoin moved to Winchester upon retirement in 1986 and continued to work as a FAA consultant until 2008.

"We wanted to come over the mountain and get away from the hustle and bustle and all of the traffic," Beaudoin said.

Beaudoin has been active as an officer in NARFE since his retirement and has worked in a full-time capacity for the past two years.

He served on Shenandoah University executive and advisory committees, according to the release.

Beaudoin also oversees AARP driver safety courses that are held throughout the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

He is an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Winchester.