NDIA mourns the passing of employee Liza Jones

Liza Jones

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Defense Industrial Association announces with sadness the passing of longtime employee Nancy E.  Miller “Liza” Jones, 59, on Dec. 30, 2019.

Liza joined NDIA in November 2011 as senior executive assistant to retired Army Gen. Barry Bates, then NDIA’s vice president of operations. She supported staff with data and analysis for all business and administrative tasks, including NDIA events and daily operations. She reviewed financial information and identified trends for performance in daily routines and general office management. At the time of her death, Liza reported to Wes Hallman, senior vice president for strategy and policy.

“Liza epitomized NDIA,” Hallman said in her remembrance. “She loved and was dedicated to our mission benefiting America’s warfighters while also going the extra mile to make the NDIA staff a family that cares for each other.”

Liza was a committed NDIA employee, serving on the employees’ council and helping with internal events. She worked tirelessly and pleasantly on many tasks and never turned down a request, whether or not it was part of her job. NDIA employees will remember her most for her kindness, thoughtfulness and comradery.

Liza was born Nancy Elizabeth Miller on Feb. 7, 1960, in McLean, Va., and was a 1978 graduate of McLean High School. From there, she began her career in corporate event planning, which eventually led her to NDIA. Liza also had her own interior design firm, Liza Jane Interiors. She enjoyed world travel and her large extended family.

Liza is survived by her son, Matthew Walczak, her father and stepmother, Francis and Diane Miller, and her large and loving family. Liza is preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Coffman Miller and her sister, Mary Ann Miller.

Liza’s family is planning a celebration of her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Liza’s memory to Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg, Va. Oatlands is a self-supporting non-profit organization that preserves historic buildings and acreage.