Chester D. Copemann, PhD, was awarded a Presidential Citation for his many years of broad range work with children, adolescents, adults and families in the Virgin Islands, his efforts to organize and support the Association of Virgin Island Psychologists (AVIP), and his efforts to keep AVIP connected to the American Psychological Association.
Copemann has brought modern practice in the form of cognitive therapies to the Virgin Islands. He has helped to keep psychologists together and relevant by his work with the Association of Virgin Island Psychologists and worked tirelessly during the recent natural disasters that befell the islands.
Copemann has represented the Association of Virgin Islands Psychologists to the APA Council of Representatives (COR) for over two terms. He has served on the executive committees of the COR’s Caucus of Public Interest and Caucus of Ethnic Minority Interest. Copemann was vocal at council about needs of ethnic minorities and the effects of implicit discrimination on council.
Copemann was a sponsor of a new business item that changed APA bylaws to guarantee that all states, provinces, territories, and divisions are now guaranteed a voting seat on the COR. If this change had not occurred, small associations such as AVIP would have been excluded from voting representation in the council and the diversity they bring to the APA would be lost.
Copemann has further demonstrated his commitment to the profession by his service as the federal advocacy coordinator with the Association of Virgin Island Psychologists and the Committee of State Leaders with the Practice Leadership Conference.
Last, but not least, Copemann is described by all who know him as a “very nice and kind man”, one who will go out of his way to help when it is needed. Thank you, Copemann, for your dedication to APA and the profession.