Meet the Members
David Close (Color Sergeant / Drum Major) David was born in Edinburgh Scotland. He moved to the U.S in 2002. David served with Grenadier Guards in London where he could be found on guard duty at Buckingham Palace St James’s Palace and the Tower of London David has been with the SAS since 2004 and recently formed the Color Guard to assist the Pipe band at parades/performances. He is also serving as the Drum Major for the pipe band. Interests Golf, Whisky.
John Coyle (Drill Sergeant) John was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1971. Married an American in 1974, had four daughters, will be married 35 years on 2/16/09 and now have two granddaughters and two grandsons. John works for Fairfax County Library System Interests are his family, his home in the mountains and his pets (3 dogs, 2 cats and a rabbit). John’s hobbies are the Virginia Scottish Games, his new enrollment with SASCG and hunting
Bryan Wallace McEachern, M.D., F.A.A.P. (The Surgeon) Member of SASDC since 2000. Has served three terms on the board of managers and is a member of the Corps of Stewards. A pediatrician in the Manassas area, enjoys soccer, scuba, golf and war g He is the regimental surgeon for the color guard
Mark Wardlaw (Cbee) Married, (Rhonda), with 3 children Bryan, Natalie, & Valerie, (1) grand-daughter, (Cameron Olivia)
General Contractor & owner of B.N.V. Remodeling, L.L.C., (www.bnvhome.com) Joined the SAS 2008 Interests - biking around DC, touring historical sites, football and marching with the SAS color guard
Adam Pressman, (The Admiral), is a plank holder in the St. Andrews Color Guards and a six-year member of the St. Andrews Society of Washington D.C. In years past, Adam has been the managing editor of the “Whin & Thistle”, a newsletter the Society funded in flusher times , and a Co-Chair of the Annual Tartan Ball. When not kilted Adam is cruising or racing either his sailboats or those of his friends on the Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River
Thomas Wright (The Rifleman) is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He has lived in the Washington, DC area since 1995. He is currently a Manager with Deloitte Consulting in their Department of Justice practice. He received his MBA from The George Washington University in 2002 and his BBA in International Business from Florida Atlantic University in 1992. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Manager's for the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, DC and has been president of the Virginia Scottish Games Association since 2006. In his spare time he enjoys playing golf, watching just about any type of sports, performing home improvement projects, or throwing back a good Scotch or a cold one with friends.
Jonathan Gordon (The Swordsman) is a native of Boston, MA. He has lived in the Washington, DC area since 2003. He is employed as the Federal IT Manager for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. He received much of his professional training as a Ballistic Submarine Missile Technician in the US Navy. He is currently serving as a member of the Board of Manager's for the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, DC and is the Society's Membership Co-Chairman. In his spare time, he enjoys fencing, traveling, soccer, and is a student of Scottish history. He has been a member of the Society since 2007 and a member of the Color Guard since 2008
Carlisle Bean (High Lisle) as an Air Force brat born in California, Carlisle has lived all over the world but has resided in the Washington, DC area since 1985. A registered architect since 1981, he is employed in construction phase services by Torti Gallas and Partners of Silver Spring. He is a trained Stephen Minister at Grace Episcopal Church and an election official for the City of Alexandria. He is currently serving his first term as Secretary of the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, DC and is the Chair of its annual Angus Mac Duffer Golf Tournament. In his spare time he enjoys Scottish country dancing, golfing, traveling, home improvement, and kayaking. He has been a member of the Society since 2005 and a member of the Color Guard since 2008
David Grimes (The Singing Guardsman)
Though his career as an actor and a singer has taken him around the world David Grimes still thinks of Alexandria, VA as home. Starting out on the stage of “Little Theatre of Alexandria” at fifteen, and later graduating from Hartt School of Music with a degree in Music Theatre Performance, he soon found himself on stage in such Broadway musicals as Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, and Jekyll & Hyde. He came back to the Washington DC area in 1997 where he has been seen at Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, and the Kennedy Center with the Washington National Opera. He is an avid Revolutionary War and Scottish History Buff and Flag Chairman of the George Washington Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution. He has been a member of SAS since 2007 and a Color Guard member since 2008
Douglas G. Currie was introduced to SASA by Rev. Curry at the Christmas Walk in 2003. A Professor of Astrophysics at UMD, College Park, Doug is responsible for a number of space agency and DoD projects. The Color Guard, Corps of Stewards ClanCurrie, tracing his Scottish genealogy, scuba and snorkeling are among his favorite activities. Doug and Marge have been married for many years and they have two grown daughters.
Stephen Hayes Age: 38 California born and bred, Virginia transplant Former Military Police Officer, Husband to Jacqueline, Father to Riley, Member of Clan Donald BOM for St. Andrews Society, Follower of Faith, child of God, I am proud to be a Scottsman, and proud to show the world our heritage. Never have I seen a man stand so tall, but when I saw a Scottsman standing for his God, Clan and kin
Lee Shackelford, DDS, MPA (The Tooth Drawer) Lee has been a member of the SASDC since May 2009. Married to Ronda Ramsey Shackelford, they enjoy exploring their common Scottish heritage. A serving US Public Health Service officer, he is now an administrator in the TRICARE Dental Program Office/ DoD. Interests: Scottish/Celtic Festivals and activities, hiking/camping, fly-fishing, waterfowl hunting.