THE DCA BOARD
Joshua VaughAn | PResident & Founder | lover of spreadsheets | trivia wizard | samurai
A native of Alexandria, VA, Josh has been following the Arsenal since 2001, and started DC Armoury in 2009. He’s our Captain, our Leader, and one of the most passionate Arsenal supporters around, He’s been supporting the club for over 20 years, though all the fun and frustration. If you ask him who scored the winning goal against any certain match from any year, he’ll have the answer for you. Seeing this group grow from one weirdo with a sign on a table to become the juggernaut that it is today, and to be able to do the things we’ve done with the club, is one of the great honors of his life. There really is no better feeling than being a part of the Arsenal; as a great man once said, “this is my club”…you know the rest.
What player would you want to watch a game with, past or present?
I’m extremely fortunate to have watched three matches with the late, great Terry Neill, when he joined us at Lucky Bar for matchdays on his visits to DC. As for present players, I'm not sure I can choose just one; I'd be honored to watch with anyone from the men's or women's teams.
What is your favorite game drink?
A Coke and a Guinness. Not in the same glass, mind you, but I tried it once, and it’s not too bad. Strongbow ranks highly as well.
Dianna owen | Vice President | consigliere to josh | troublemaker
Dianna has been supporting Arsenal since around 2008, and she came to us on loan from the Chicago Gooners back in 2013. As soon as she settled in Arlington, she decided to make it a permanent transfer, and she was thrilled to find a new Arsenal family within the DC Armoury. When she’s not supporting The Arsenal, she’s mostly likely at home running her small business in the interior design industry (with a cat on her lap), volunteering at an animal shelter, or having a cup of tea or glass of wine on her back patio when the weather is nice, usually surrounded by squirrels like a Disney Princess. And if you check her freezer at any given time, you’re likely to find a frozen Lou Malnatti’s pizza that was shipped from Chicago.
What player would you want to watch a game with, past or present?
Wojciech Szczesny! One of my proudest moments as an Aunt was when my middle nephew, who played goalkeeper from age 8 through high school, asked for a Szczesny jersey for his 10th birthday. My father is Polish, and I’ve been a huge Szczesny fan since he first stepped onto the pitch in an Arsenal shirt.
What is your favorite game drink?
I’m primarily a Narragansett gal. Whenever things get stressful or need to be celebrated, though, I’m likely to go get a chilled shot of vodka or scotch.
A special thank you to Jaime Kanashiro and Eric Krementowski, whose photography skills are often showcased on our social media accounts.
MArio moretTO | communications manager | graphics guru | poster in chief
Mario is a recent transplant from the Maine Gooners up in the original Portland. One day he offered to lend a hand with some of our social media accounts, and we quickly knew he was the one to take our online presence to the next level. When he’s not supporting the Arsenal, he’s probably at a concert, a film, or outside looking at birds.
What player would you want to watch a game with, past or present?
Cesc Fabregas!
What is your favorite game drink?
A nice, dry cider.
CASEY FRARY | events coordinator | wanderer
A native of Illinois, Casey has been a DC resident since 2004, supporting Arsenal since around 2008. Her work takes her all over the country for short stints, so she’s been on loan to Philly, Salt Lake, Milwaukee, and Chicago supporters clubs - but considers the Armoury her true home. When not busy supporting Arsenal, you can find her wandering DC with her dog Koda.
What player would you want to watch a game with, past or present?
Any Gunner would be amazing, but I would have to go with Santi Cazorla. I love our little magician and he gave us some very special moments.
What is your favorite game drink?
Guinness. And if a change in the narrative is needed, a shot of Jameson.
Chris jones | outreach & engagement coordinator | capo
Born and raised in gorgeous Prince George’s County, MD, Chris returned to DC from Syracuse, NY in 2014. From Lucky Bar, to Lou’s, and now to Franklin Hall, he’s been with us since the beginning, and over the years he’s turned into a natural Capo for us; keeping that energy up in Franklin Hall when we need it the most, and bringing us all together. That’s what Arsenal is all about, and what we strive to bring to this community of wonderful, diverse people; a place in which they can find themselves - a place where they belong. When Chris is not watching The Arsenal he’s typically playing football with his uptown Raymond FC crew, volunteering with the Cardozo Women’s and Men’s varsity squads, or biking around DC looking for the best new spot in the city.
What player would you like to watch a game with, past or present?
The King. It would also be an honor to watch with Ian Wright, but TiTi has been my hero since I fell in love with Arsenal in 2003.
What is your favorite game drink?
It’s always a lovely time for a Guinness, but sometimes a gin + tonic is required when we’re seeing out a 1 - 0 lead in stoppage time.