Published: March 28, 2008 11:35 am         

GOP candidate to speak at local Republican women meeting

A candidate for the Republican National Committee is scheduled to appear at the next meeting of local GOP activists.

’Borah Van Dormolen, immediate past president of Texas Federation of Republican Women and candidate for national committeewoman, is the guest speaker 7 p.m. Thursday at the CCRW meeting at First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, 401 N. Dixon St., in Gainesville.

Sharon McCormack, of the Republican Women, said Van Dormolen is seeking election to the committeewoman’s spot at the Republican Party of Texas Convention in June.

McCormack said the March meeting of the Republican Women was canceled due to snow on March 6. The speaker for the snowed-out meeting, Rusty Ballard of Texans for Lawsuit Reform, has been rescheduled for May. An invitation to candidates for the North Central Texas College Board of Regents will go out for that evening, McCormack said.

April’s speaker, Van Dormolen, “is no ordinary person,” a release from the Republican Women said. “She is an accomplished soldier, businessperson, Republican political leader, legislative advocate, athlete, and community leader. She is also an interesting and dynamic speaker.”

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Van Dormolen has been a long way since her days as a student at West Chester College in Pennsylvania, according to the release. In 1974, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and rose through the ranks retiring in 1997 after 23 years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. She served in various command, staff and leadership positions, including a term as professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

She was commander of logistics operations units for the U.S. Army’s largest and most powerful military formations, including the famed 1st Cavalry Division and 13th Corps Support Command.

Van Dormolen and fith generation Texan, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Rich Castle, her husband of 18 years, ventured into the business world establishing Design Technology Group, Inc., a manufacturing and marketing firm of outdoor stainless steel electric grills.

She has served the Texas Federation of Republican Women (TFRW) as vice president of finance, vice president of legislation, chairman of leadership development, district director coordinator and district director of Senatorial District 24.

As vice president of finance for the TFRW, she coordinated the “Tribute to Women” luncheon at the Republican Party of Texas Convention and the TFRW 2005 Legislative Day Luncheon in Austin.

During the 77th Texas Legislature session, she served as Legislative Aide for State Representative Kent Grusendorf, R-Arlington.

She has also been involved with the Texas Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America, the Central Texas Chapter of The Military Officers Association, the Board of Governors for the Association of the United States Army-Fort Hood Chapter, the Rotary Club of Salado, the Mill Creek Golf and Country Club, the Central Texas Women’s Golf Association and the Bell County Republican Party. She is a contributor to the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association.

Men and women are encouraged to attend the program, McCormack said. Refreshments are to be served following the meeting.

For information call McCormack at 668-6762.