A Founders Reception in Support of Refurnishing the Small Dining Room
Sunday, June 7, 2026 6:30 p.m.
The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and the Founders, Washington Committee for Historic Mount Vernon, cordially invite you to a reception in support of refurnishing George and Martha Washington’s Small Dining Room. The room will be restored to its 1799 appearance using newly gleaned details from the Fairfax Account Book and other recent discoveries.
The June 7 reception will be extra-special in the Semiquincentennial year! Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at the home of America’s first president while simultaneously supporting a critical project in the Washingtons’ beloved Mansion. Proceeds will allow Mount Vernon to tell a unique story about George and Martha Washington’s lives.
Event attendees will enjoy the following:
Curated tours of the Washingtons’ recently revitalized Mansion
Cocktails
Music
Dinner Buffet
Stunning views of the Potomac River
A few special surprises throughout the evening!
For 2026, there are NEW Host Committee opportunities and new corresponding benefits—including a chance to have your name associated with an object in the Small Dining Room, in perpetuity. Please consider joining the Host Committee, buying event tickets, or making a contribution.
For recognition in the Host Committee event materials, kindly reply by end of day on April 11.
If you are unable to attend the reception, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support this year’s project. Please contact Andre Burton at aburton@mountvernon.org or at 703.799.6881 if you have any questions.
Thank you for your consideration, and we hope to see you on June 7!
Mount Vernon is owned and maintained by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, a private, non-profit organization.
We don’t accept government funding and rely upon private contributions to help preserve George Washington’s home and legacy.
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
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