I am so excited and truly honored to write to you for the first time as President of the Virginia Court Reporters Association. Taking on this role means a lot to me, and I’m committed to representing all of you and the future of court reporting here in Virginia. If we haven’t had a chance to meet yet, here’s a little about me. I run Fiduciary Reporting out of the beautiful Virginia Beach area, and I’ve been in this field for over twenty years. Building a business, working with amazing clients, and helping train the next generation of court reporters has been a rewarding ride. This profession has given me so much, and I feel lucky to be apart of it every day.

Outside of work, I’m a proud crazy cat lady. I’ve got three of my own, Twinkie, Chewy, and Tootsie, and they definitely keep things interesting. There’s something about cats’ mix of independence and snuggly affection that I just love. I also spend time volunteering at the VBSPCA on Sundays, which is one of the most fulfilling parts of my week. Whether it’s helping ashy cat come out of its shell or playing with a bunch of kittens, it always lifts my spirits. Honestly, I think they do more for me than I do for them!

On the professional side, I’ve earned my RPR from the NCRA and my CCR through VCRA. If you haven’t looked into these certifications yet, I really encourage you to consider them. They’re not just about testing your skills. They can boost your confidence, open new doors, and show your commitment to growing in this field. They’ve definitely helped me grow, and I know they can do the same for others.

the past two years, I’ve served on a few VCRA committees, and it’s been amazing to see how passionate and dedicated our members are. You all inspire me. As we head into this new chapter, I’m feeling optimistic. Thanks to the strong leadership before me (thank you, Michele and Christopher!) and the effort all of you put in, VCRA is in a great place. We’ve got exciting things ahead: more advocacy, more education, more ways to connect with the public and support new students coming into the profession.

My vision as President is pretty simple: keep the integrity of our work front and center, highlight the value of what we do, and make sure stenographic and voice reporters have a strong, respected place in the legal system for years to come. I’d love for you to be a part of that, whether that means attending events, volunteering, or just sharing your ideas.

Thanks so much for letting me serve in this role. I can’t wait to connect with more of you and keep moving our profession forward, together.

With appreciation and enthusiasm,

Dana M. Pon, RPR, CCR                                                                                          President, Virginia Court Reporters Association