About us | Officers| About Membership | Join / Renew | Member Roster
Published Authors | Writers Library | News

2010 Board

President - Judy Dawn

Secretary - Victoria Kaloss

Treasurer - Nicholas Genovese

Click here to read the bios of each 2010 Board Member.

Officer Bios

Judy Dawn, President
As a growing artist, I explore all avenues of expression. Writing was one of those avenues that turned into an addiction. Now, I write every day. My name is Judy Dawn, I write action with a biochemical twist and I include romantic elements. Oh, I could write the words, put together a book, and stare with pride at my completed project bound by the local copy shop. But, I’d made goals to see my book on
sale at the bookstore. Right there next to other brand name authors. I soon found out, to get my book on the shelves was a different matter entirely. I needed to join a network, build relationships.

I’ve been a RWA member since 2006 and have gone from general member to PRO. I’m continuing to work toward PAN. I joined Elements in 2008 after an old friend of mine recommended the group. Intrigued by the mission statement, this group turned out as a great resource for me. I’m proud to take part in Elements unique purpose within the romance genre.

As the Elements 2010 President, I’ll invite others to join our parade. With the elected officers, Element’s long list of fabulous volunteers, and the members support, I’ll do my best to continue growing this needed avenue for artists alike.

Victoria Kaloss, Secretary
Victoria Kaloss, writing as Vikki Bakus, holds a Master of Social Work Degree, Elementary Education and Teacher of the Handicapped Certifications. She worked for eighteen years as a Certified School Social Worker with emotionally disturbed, socially maladjusted and developmentally disabled children and adolescents.

In 1994, on temporary disability due to her life-long rheumatoid arthritis, Victoria began writing poetry. She experimented with various exciting styles. But there were these fantastical stories buzzing through her mind like static noise that interfered with her poetic Muse. But she had never been interested in fiction and only read fiction when it was required reading in her English classes.

Rather, Victoria read poetry, biographies, and non-fiction. Write fiction? Not likely. But the fantastic stories kept coming. So she transposed the infiltrating stories onto floppy discs from her second hand word processor -- just to rid her mind from the ongoing invasion of the imaginary tales.

In 1997 Victoria chose to forge ahead with her new life using creative writing as her cathartic process. She pursued poetry and met with success - her work is published in two anthologies, magazines and newspapers.

In 1999, Victoria’ eleven year old niece suggested she read a novel. Okay, the child pleaded - insisted Aunt Vikki would really, really, really love this book even though it was fiction. Out of the mouths of babes, or tweeners. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Hooked me. And although her niece and J.K. Rowling are credited for opening Victoria's eyes into the world of fiction, it was her sister who led Victoria straight to Romance.

While waiting for joint replacement surgery, she was less mobile. So she read. Insatiably. She noticed her poetry became longer,resembling flash fiction. Her flash fiction transformed into essays, her essays into short stories.

In 2007, Victoria read an acknowledgement page as she began a new paranormal romance novel. The author cited RWA. Cue light bulb moment. Victoria immediately became a RWA member and joined the NJRWA Chapter. In March 2009, she became a member of Elements of RWA Chapter #211. Victoria is currently serving on the 2009 NJRWA Put Your Heart In A Book Contest Committee as Paranormal Category Coordinator.

Victoria was glad to have hard copied the old "interfering fantastical stories" from years ago. She revived the stories and RWA members helped Victoria breathe new life into her creative writing.

Victoria maintains her pre-published fiction status and is grateful for the generosity of RWA sisters and brothers. She has chosen to give back to the writing community by running for Secretary because
she has been privileged to receive so much from this organization and Chapter members.

Nickolas Genovese, Treasurer
Nicholas (Nick) A. Genovese, Jr. is a certified Public Accountant and a Certified Public Manager. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (1965) and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) (1995).

Nick is retired from the Louisiana Department of Revenue with 37 years of service. During those years, he has held the positions of Tax Auditor, Collection Manager, Audit Manager, and District Director.

He has been an adjunct (part time) professor of accounting since 1978 and is currently teaching Accounting at Tulane University in New Orleans. He has twice been the recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award at Tulane, once in 1988 and again in 2005. He has also received the Emily Vokes Award in 2002 for outstanding service to his college. The Dean of his college has appointed him Faculty Fellow. Nick serves on the Curriculum Committee and the College Council.

Nick is married and has two adult children and three grand children.

Nick is a member of the Southern Louisiana Chapter of the RWA, Inc. and has served his chapter in the position of Treasurer over the past six years. For the last three years, he has also served as the
Contest Coordinator for the Dixie Kane Memorial Contest sponsored by his RWA Chapter.

Nick is unpublished in fiction and has been an aspiring fiction writer since he retired from his day time job in 2002.

Nick’s long range goals for Elements is to devise an accounting system that anyone could easily handle and master without the education or experience of being an accountant or bookkeeper. He also expects to use his business experience to work closely with other board members to make Elements of RWA an effective, efficient, and leading chapter of the RWA.