I retired with distinguished service from the Federal Government in June 2013 with over 35 years of service to our nation with assignments in the European, Pacific and American Regions. I have always pursued opportunities where I could make the greatest contribution possible to the Army, the Department of Defense, the United States Coast Guard and our Nation. This meant seeking the more challenging positions, assignments, and tasks. It meant occupying positions with gradually increasing levels of responsibility and risk, and assignments to higher level organizations. At the same time, I realized that another way of having an impact can be accomplished through imparting good leadership and encouraging professional development for those I work with and those that work for me. As a result, I continuously sought opportunities to motivate, mentor, and train others in my organization, because as a productive team we all achieve more. I consider this a force multiplier as the time invested in others returns benefits several fold over what I could accomplish alone.
Throughout my entire career, I have sought opportunities to grow, develop, and learn. This is best demonstrated through my varied executive assignments,as the Workforce Policy Advisor to the Commandant for Diversity and Inclusion at HQ, U.S. Coast Guard in Washington, D.C. (2009-2013) and I was among the first civilian women appointed as Deputy Commander, Germany during Desert Shield and Desert Storm conflicts (1989-1992) Other career highlights include: Base Installation Operations Chief, Okinawa , Japan, (1994-1995); Special Program Advisor, HQ, Intelligence and Security Command (1992-1994); Administrative Officer and Chief, Community and Family Support, HQ, Space and Missile Defense Command (1998-2004), and Strategic Planner for the HQ, Army at the Pentagon (2004-2009).
My mother June Davis Boggia Muller was my greatest role model. Widowed at 39, she arduously raised 10 children ages 9 months through 14 years ole. She had a deep spiritual faith and taught us to pray daily and shared her passion for continual learning. Her influence was my moral compass! My loving optimistic mother believed in the limitless possibilities for all her children. With that positive attitude, I continued to learn and expand my career horizons and turn my passion into a profession. So, when I retired, I decided to work in the Aesthetics Industry. I have always been interested in this field and wanted to pursue my dream of obtaining an esthetician license. After looking at numerous esthetician schools in the area, I choose the Spectrum Academy in Alexandria, Virginia for its prestigious reputation in providing a comprehensive cutting-edge curriculum delivered by respected industry specialists who are hands-on, accessible and inspiring. I graduated with honors from the Spectrum Beauty Academy in August 2104 and passed the Virginia State Board of Exams for Estheticians in April 2015. Over the past year, I have been giving lectures in the field of Aesthetics introducing ground-breaking technology and science improvements in the industry. I want to share my vision “to be a leader in in the skin care industry offering clients ground-breaking science and technology facial treatments to achieve healthy, glowing skin.”
I serve as the Board Secretary for the Washington International Piano Arts Council and I am a member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists Union (40 years), and free-lances as a radio and television advertiser/commentator.
I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, St. Thomas Aquinas College, (1971) and acquired Certification in City Planning and Plan Implementation Management, University Columbia- Missouri (1990), and completed Post Graduate Studies in Speech and Drama at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
More Detailed Biograhphy of Portia
Over the past thirty-five years, Portia served this nation’s government in numerous critical executive assignments in the European, Pacific and American regions. Portia retired from federal government service in June 2013 at a ceremony HQ, U,S, Coast Guard in Washignton, D.C. In her last assignment, she served as the Workforce Policy Advisor to the Commandant, Office of Diversity and Inclusion responsible for strategic planning and executing the landmark Diversity and Inclusion Summit.
Portia graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, New York in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She completed post graduate studies in Speech and Drama at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. In 1974 and 1975, she worked for the United States Information Agency as a Cultural Academic Specialist at Poznan University in Poznan, Poland. She was recognized by President Ford at the White House for her work on this assignment. For the next seventeen years, Portia served in numerous executive capacities in Germany for the Department of Army, as Chief, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Division in Heilbronn, Fulda, Hanau and Nuernburg establishing commercial industry business practices and was the architect for establishing new and innovative programs. She successfully acquired funding to build and improve numerous facilities and services on military installations enhancing the quality of life for Soldiers, Families and civilians. She progressively moved into more leadership positions after completing training in City Planning and Plan Implementation Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
From 1989-1992, Portia’s leadership capability was recognized when she was among the first civilian women appointed to the position as Deputy Commander in Gelnhausen, Germany, during Desert Shield and Desert Storm conflict. She was responsible for the morale, welfare, safety, and oversight of 57 agencies and a population of 5,000. Portia returned to the United States in 1992, assigned as Special Program Advisor at the HQDA, U.S.Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA with oversight of Base Operations Management of installations in England and Germany. From 1994 -1995, Portia was the senior civilian Base Operations Manager for the U.S. Army in Okinawa, Japan, responsible for the operation and management of all Army services and activities on the Island. Portia further served eight years as Administrative Officer and Chief, Community and Family Support Programs for the U.S. Space and Missile Defense Command and was appointed Team Leader for designing all Quality of Life, Morale, Welfare and Recreation facilities and programs at Fort Greely, Alaska.
From 2005-2009, Portia served as strategic and long range planner and senior expert on Army strategic issues and trends providing direct support to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (ASA) for Manpower and Reserve Affairs (M&RA) at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She also served as the speechwriter for the ASA (M&RA).
Portia serves on numerous national and international Boards and Committees, worthy of mention is the International Child Art Foundation, a project involving more than 3 million child artists in over 200 Countries and U.S. States and Territories designed to create hope for a better and safer world and the Washington International Piano Arts Council. She is founding member of Cultural Diplomacy, Inc., encouraging partnerships and exchange programs in the arts. Portia is an active member of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists Union (over 40 years), and free-lances as a professional radio and television actor, advertiser/commentator. In 2014, Portia graduated from the Spectrum Beauty Academy in Virginina to become an Esthetician and passed the Virginia State Board Exam for Estheticians. She opened a new SPA called Portia’s Essential Skincare in Woodbridge, VA.
Portia is married to Mike Davidson, an attorney and resides in Woodbridge, Virginia.