Education Director Tomalei Vess will be leaving the American Philatelic Society, the nation’s largest stamp collecting organization, as of the end of the year. “This has been a hard decision, but after a lot of reflection, I’ve decided to step into a new opportunity,” she told The Virtual Stamp Club in email. “I have been invited to be a partner in a startup company with people I have known for years.”

She joined the APS in January 2025 with experience in K-12, university and museum education. She has a PhD in Biology.

She plans to help with the transition to the new Education Director. “I am invested in the future of the hobby, and the success of the APS,” she said.

“I am eternally grateful for this community of philatelists—people who pour wisdom, generosity, and kindness into APS, its mission, and the Education Department. That support has shaped me in lasting ways. Words cannot adequately describe my appreciation.”

Updated January 13^th: The APS has posted the job now. From the email newsletter:

The APS is looking for a Director of Education to join our team! This role is collaborative and hands-on, driving the organization’s education strategy and leading the development of philatelic educational content.

Click here for more information and to apply.

[from official materials] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
YPLF Applications Now Open

Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship cohort!

The Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship provides collectors aged 16 to 24 with the opportunity to learn from experts in the hobby and gain experience in their chosen track, fostering a lifelong connection with philately.

Applications will close on February 1, 2026.

And remember, APS members can still nominate a collector to participate in the program via the form linked here. The nomination period is open from now until January 15, 2026.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
APS Welcomes New Director of Technology and Innovation

The APS is pleased to welcome its new Director of Technology and Innovation, Stephanie Katz. Stephanie is an interdisciplinary thinker and strategist with 15 years of experience managing digital projects, developing data analytics dashboards, and leading website search engine optimization (SEO) initiatives. Her career spans roles with the federal government, museums and cultural organizations, and a marketing agency serving Fortune 500 clients. Most recently, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, where she led Microsoft 365 tool implementation and analytics efforts. Her contributions were recognized with multiple agency awards for driving impact, improving team efficiency, and leading the adoption of modernization efforts.

“We’re very excited for Stephanie to join us,” said Executive Director Kirk Gillis. “Her strong analytical skills and proven experience in digital strategy, SEO, and project management will be crucial as we embark on a comprehensive digital transformation of the APS.”

As a Fulbright Predoctoral Research Scholar, Stephanie supported a digital transformation initiative at Spain’s Prado Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Earlier in her career, she spent several years working internationally in South America as an educator and bilingual interpreter. She also served as an instructional designer for the University of Queensland’s satellite campus in northern Chile.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College, a Master of Science in Arts Administration, Museum Leadership, and Marketing from Drexel University, and a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University. She is currently a volunteer with the U.S. Digital Response and contributes her time to several mission-driven organizations in her local community.

Welcome aboard, Stephanie!

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AFDCS Names Trevor Bills Membership Chair

The American First Day Cover Society has chosen Trevor Bills of Texas to chair its Membership Department. The Board of Directors unanimously confirmed the appointment.

Bills, who holds a Public Service and Administration master’s degree from Texas A&M and an MBA from Angelo State University, is an alumnus of the American Philatelic Society’s Young Philatelic Leadership Fellowship. At Angelo State, he was student body president. The 23-year-old served an apprenticeship in Marketing and Logistical Operations at a vineyard and lists Digital Marketing as one of his skills. In addition to the AFDCS, he is also a member of the APS, the American Topical Association, Postmark Collectors Club, Ebony Society of Philatelic Experiences and Reflections, and the American Ceremony Program Society. He also has reported on first-day ceremonies for Linn’s Stamp News.

He has produced cachets under the name Trevor’s Covers for occasional first-days and space and special events, winning honors in the annual AFDCS cachetmaking contest.

The AFDCS Membership Department is responsible for recruitment, membership renewals, and chapter memberships, although the actual record-keeping is performed by the Executive Secretary. The Chair of the Membership Department is a member of the Executive Committee, which meets throughout the year in-person and via the internet.

“I am honored to step into the role of Membership Chair and look forward to contributing to the continued growth of our organization,” Bills said. “I look forward to fostering stronger connections among members and welcoming new individuals to our community.”

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. It publishes its bimonthly award-winning journal First Days as well as handbooks and catalogues and maintains a YouTube channel. The AFDCS also promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

AFDCS officers are not compensated for their services or travel and only receive reimbursement for some expenses.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

Eight members are running for the four open seats on the American First Day Cover Society’s 2025 election, only three of whom are incumbents. The ballots are now in the mail to members.

The winners of the election will serve three-year terms, beginning January 1, 2026. In addition, the fifth-place finisher will immediately join the Board to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation. Directors and officers receive no compensation for their service and are not reimbursed for expenses related to serving on the Board.

The election is only being conducted by mail; there is no online voting. Because of Pandemic-related problems, the first separate election mailing was distributed in 2020, and turnout was so much better than in previous elections that the AFDCS decided to continue the practice.

The candidates are Steven Ripley, an event and emergency coordinator from Florida; Shirley Ulling from California, a school transportation worker before retirement; Walter Douglas George, a retired supermarket executive from Massachusetts; Chris Calle, a professional artist who lives in Connecticut; Bobby Liao, retired software executive from California; Lloyd de Vries of New Jersey, a retired broadcast journalist; Jim Tatum, a former television and film professional; and Michael Moticha from California, a career Army officer. Tatum, de Vries and Moticha are incumbents.

After the results of the board election are known, the Directors will choose officers for the next calendar year — president, executive vice president, first vice president, treasurer and recording secretary — as well as a chair of the Board.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to its journal First Days, the AFDCS also publishes handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits and an annual contest for cachetmakers, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.

[press release]
Self-nominations are now open for the Board of Directors of the American First Day Cover Society, the largest not-for-profit FDC organization in the world. Each year, the membership of the AFDCS elects four people to serve on its board for three-year terms.

Those running for the board must be members in good standing and are expected to submit a statement of no more than 300 words and a photo. There is no other “qualifying process” for nominations: No 10-member petitions, minimum tenure in the AFDCS, nor the ability to recite cachet catalogue numbers from memory. Reasonable proficiency with email is expected.

Once elected, Directors are expected to attend the one in-person meeting a year (held at the convention) and ad hoc online meetings, participate in email discussions and vote electronically on matters that come before the board. The candidates are announced at Americover, the annual convention (held this year in conjunction with Great American Stamp Show) and the ballot and their statements are mailed to members in the fall. The terms begin on January 1.

Mark Gereb of New Jersey is chairing the AFDCS 2025 Nominating Committee, aided by Tris Fall of Pennsylvania and John Peterson of California. Those wish to run, or who would like more information, should contact Mark at rec.sec@afdcs.org.

The AFDCS Board of Directors consists of 12 elected members, plus three ex-officio members: the president, editor, and general counsel. (The Society’s complete bylaws are available at www.afdcs.net/bylaws). Directors are not compensated in any way for serving on the board, although they may receive reimbursement for expenses not related to serving on the board or attending meetings.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization, established in 1955. It publishes the award-winning bimonthly journal First Days, as well as handbooks and catalogues, maintains a YouTube channel, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as the exhibiting of FDCs.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 57, Somerset, WI 54025-0057.