The Civil Air Patrol journey of Capt. Kerry Kaplan, Mid-Atlantic Region director of finance, began as a series of curious explorations — much like the path her life has taken.
Though neither she nor her husband, Scott (national manager for CAP’s Geospatial Program) grew up in CAP, both joined as adults. And both have left bequests in their wills to benefit cadets, earning them places in CAP’s Semper Vigilans Society.
“We’ve been very invested in CAP. We’ve gotten a lot of enjoyment from helping, and we agreed this is something we both wanted to do . . . as a way to pay forward what we have received,” Kerry Kaplan.
“You don’t want to think about wills and death,” she continued, “but we were going on an international cruise — just the two of us — and we needed to make sure all was in order.”
Adding the bequest to their wills was the natural next step in their support of CAP.
Kerry Kaplan is the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s deputy division chief for full-time equivalent and pay management. Originally from Texas, her path to Virginia and CAP lay in being in the right places at the right times and accepting the right jobs, including the one she has now.
“I’m an extroverted person — not common in the accounting world,” she said with a laugh. “I like math . . . I got my BSBA in accounting and finance from Washington University but then figured I’d round things out, so I got my MBA — in marketing — from the (University of) Texas McCombs School of Business and interned in Campbell Soup Co.’s marketing department.”
She has also worked in university admissions, recruiting, mentoring and marketing roles.
Originally, however, she thought about studying to be a doctor. “I really enjoy helping people, but … I didn’t like blood,” she said. She continued working in health care in a variety of other positions — in accounting, operations, and management.
As for her federal job, she wanted to work at the agency with her husband, who’s been there for over 20 years. “I loved health care, but the government provided [me with] the ability to help others and the stability I needed. And . . . I went back into accounting,” she said with a laugh about the position she accepted three years ago.
In the summer of 2018, her niece, a member of the Virginia Wing’s Burke Composite Squadron, had come back from encampment talking excitedly about her experiences. “’It was so cool! And,’” she told them, “’adults can join too!’”
“I’d never heard of CAP before then,” Kerry Kaplan said. “I’ve never been involved with the military – even though Scott’s prior Navy.” But her niece’s enthusiasm about encampment prompted the couple to attend a Burke squadron meeting.
“I liked the military aspect and the uniforms. I was ready to join right away,” she said.
And the Kaplans didn’t just attend meetings; they became active participants. She started as the officer for administration and for personnel with the squadron. When a finance position opened, she knew she’d be the perfect fit, given her background in accounting.
“Then the new wing commander needed an executive officer, and I thought it would give me a larger view [of] and more CAP experience,” she said.
From there she wanted to become even more involved. “Scott had a connection with the Mid-Atlantic Region Commander and had mentioned I’d like to do finance,” she said.
When the region assistant finance director position opened up, Kerry accepted it, then moved into her current role.
Kerry Kaplan said the best thing she’s found about Civil Air Patrol is the variety of ways to be involved: It’s not just flying.
“I want to experience all of CAP,” she said. So in addition to being certified as a mission scanner, aerial photographer, and mission observer, she’s also enrolled in leadership training.
She attended her first CAP National Convention in August in San Antonio. “It was so much fun. I enjoy the idea of putting this military(-style) uniform on and feeling like I’m doing something for other folks. I’m getting a lot of enjoyment out of it. “
“[We feel] we are making a difference helping others.”
She hopes the couple’s bequest will ensure cadets who share her curiosity and the drive to try new things will continue to have resources available so they can do so.
The Semper Vigilans Society was established in 2020 to recognize the generosity of those who have made provisions for CAP through a deferred gift arrangement (including wills, revocable living trusts, or life insurance/retirement account beneficiary designations). Deferred gift commitments can involve any amount and can be made specific to the programs, activities, wings, squadrons and/or scholarships the donor chooses._____Julia MartinContributing Writer
