ELIZABETH A NOLAN

Elizabeth (Betsy) Nolan was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1972, she left Pittsburgh to attend Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, later transferring to Duquesne University in 1974 to pursue a degree in Pharmacy. She was awarded volleyball and basketball scholarships and played for Duquesne for 3 years. In 1975, she was voted Duquesne’s woman athlete of the year and most valuable player in women’s sports. She graduated in 1977 with a BS in Pharmacy degree. She is licensed in the States of Pennsylvania and California.

MILITARY EXPERIENCE: 1979-2005
UNITED STATES NAVY, CAPTAIN (RETIRED)

Betsy was commissioned an Ensign in 1979 and retired as a Captain in 2005. She served in various capacities and locations throughout the military health system and worked her way through the ranks beginning as a staff pharmacist and ending as the Chief Pharmacy Officer, US Navy. Her first 11 years were spent working in various clinical and management positions and 5 years as the head of the Navy’s pharmacy technician’s education and training program. Her next 10 years were spent in leadership roles giving her the skill set needed to help lead and transform the Department of Defense’s prescription drug benefit program and shape policy decisions, first at the regional level and later at Navy headquarters as the Navy’s #1 pharmacist and policy advisor to the Navy Surgeon General.

Betsy earned her private pilot license in 1982, Master of Business Administration, University of West Florida, in 1990, and her designee as Master Training Specialist in 1992. Her military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medals (3), Meritorious Unit Citation, National Defense Medal (2), and Navy Pistol Ribbon (Sharpshooter).

POST-MILITARY EXPERIENCE: 2005-2015
PRESIDENT, BSX ENTERPRISES LLC:

As President of BSX Enterprises, and stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Betsy focused her attention on providing a full range of strategic consulting delivering a wide range of leadership services in and out of the healthcare arena to include: professional training and leadership coaching, military protocol and grassroots support to local health systems and community groups, strategic planning and business process improvement consultations, medical staffing supervision, curriculum advisor for the Joint Forces Pharmacy Seminar, and publicist for the authors of RUFF’S WAR, A Navy Nurse on the Frontline in Iraq, providing press coverage and coordinating media events.

POST MILITARY EXPERIENCE: 2015-TODAY
TRI-COUNTY WOMEN VETERANS SECRETARY 2018-2023; PRESIDENT 2024-TODAY

Betsy volunteered to serve as Secretary of Tri-County Women Veterans, Inc (TCWV) in 2018 and stepped up to the role of President in 2024. She leads a 370+ member, all volunteer organization that is the face of women veterans in the Florida counties of Marion, Sumter and Lake. She leads its social, civic and philanthropic programs donating time, money or expertise. She directs the TCWV’s mission whose purpose and goals are to educate the public that women are veterans too, foster camaraderie and nurture friendships, and enrich the lives of its members and those in the community. Specifically:

• Social: TCWV is a large networking organization that provides a forum for women veterans to come together, tell stories of their adventures, rekindle that connection that was lost post discharge and provide a sense purpose.
• Civic: TCWV provides community service, advocacy, and civic participation. In 2024, TCWV “Adopted a Precinct” which provided support to the election process and volunteered in community engagement activities with the United Way of Sumter and Lake Counties and the Wildwood Police Department’s Thanksgiving food drive. TCWVs can be seen delivering ceremonial honors with our all-women honor guard and participating in Wreaths Across America and Flags for the Fallen.
• Philanthropic: TCWV’s focus is on enriching member’s lives and those in the community. Enriching member lives and those in the community comes in the form of time, talent and treasure.
  Member Programs include raising money to fund health and wellness healing packages, providing resources to help them build an empowered life and supporting historical preservation initiatives that makes sure women veteran stories are not lost in history.
  Community Programs include but are not limited to partnerships with organizations that share the TCWV mission, such as Project SoS, United Way of Lake and Sumter, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and Veterans Memorial Park of The Villages.

POST-MILITARY EXPERIENCE: 2022 – TODAY
ASSISTANT REGIONAL ADVISOR, FLORIDA WOMEN VETERANS’ ADVISORY COUNCIL (FWVAC) EAST CENTRAL REGION,
CHAIR, FWVAC STATE HOMES’ COMMITTEE

Betsy is a statewide influencer and has a voice in Florida’s Women Veterans Programs and Councils She currently serves as the Assistant Regional Advisor, Florida Women Veterans’ Advisory Council East Central Region, and she Chairs the FWVAC State Homes’ Committee. In 2023, she chaired and hosted the FDVA Women Veterans Conference. She is a member of the Marion County Veterans Council and the Villages Veteran’s Council, Villages Honor Flight and Military Officers Association of America.

Her awards include the 2023 FDVA Trailblazer Award. She was selected to be included in the 2024 Women in the Military Exhibit that highlighted Central Florida Women Veterans in the Women’s History & Cultural Center, Orlando, Florida.