DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Department Commander
Gary W Cox Jr.
- commander@ohiolegion.com
- 740-362-7478
Gary W. Cox Jr. was elected to serve as the 2026-2027 Department of Ohio Commander on Sunday July 12th 2026. His eligibility stems from holding office in 2025-2026 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander and was elected to serve this high office on Sunday July 13th 2025 at the 106th Department of Ohio Convention. He was also elected to serve 2024-2025 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 14th 2024.
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Gary Jr. earned his eligibility by serving in the United States Marine Corps from 2002-2010, including a tour in Afghanistan from 2004-2005.
Gary Jr. is a PUFL 25-year member of Harold Bradley Post 584 in Marion, Ohio. He is a past 2-time 6th District Commander from 2021-2023. He is an 10-year member of Buckeye Boys State staff serving as a trustee. Gary Jr. has also served on Gifts for Yanks, and National Security commissions along with a National appointee for the National Security Council.
He is a 35-year Charter member of Squadron 584 Marion, Ohio. A member of the Legion Riders 254, 40/8, Marine Corps League, and Wounded Warrior Project. He is also a lifetime member of the VFW, DAV, and CVMA.
1st Vice Commander
Holly Lewis
- 1stvice@ohiolegion.com
The First Vice Commander serves under the Commander of the Department of Ohio. Their responsibilities include being Membership Committee Chairman, ensuring that the Legion message is heard by all veterans, and providing the overall mission for the membership year.
Holly Lewis was elected to serve as the 2026-2027 Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander on Sunday July 12th 2026 at the 107th Department of Ohio Convention.
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She was also elected to serve 2025-2026 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday, July 13th, 2025.
Holly Lewis is a United States Navy veteran from Smithfield, Ohio, who proudly served during the Gulf War Era. While in the Navy, she played a crucial role in repairing the computer systems that supported the undersea surveillance system, contributing to national defense efforts.
With a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and an MBA, Holly transitioned into a successful 20+ year career at McKesson, where she was instrumental in the creation and launch of EnterpriseRx, a pharmacy management software used in over 4,500 pharmacies across the United States.
Holly’s commitment to service continues through her active involvement in the American Legion. She currently serves as the Adjutant for Stevens-Christian Memorial Post 557 in Wintersville, OH, and as the 1st Vice Commander for the Department of Ohio American Legion.
Additionally, she is the Chair of the National American Legion Media and Communications Commission, advocating for veterans and their families at the national level.
2nd Vice Commander
Ken LaVoy
- 2ndvice@ohiolegion.com
- kenlavoy.com
The Second Vice Commander serves under the 1st Vice Commander and the Commander of the Department of Ohio. Their responsibilities include being Post Activities Chairman.
Ken LaVoy was elected to serve as the 2026-2027 Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday, July 12th, 2026 at the 107th Department of Ohio Convention.
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Ken's bio - TBA
Dean E Boyers
Department Treasurer
- Joseph W Diehn Post 468 Sylvania
- treasurer@ohiolegion.com
- 468commander@gmail.com
John J Life
Department Chaplain
- Firestone Memorial Post 449 Akron
- chaplain@ohiolegion.com
- Liferusmc@gmail.com
Frank Barnes
Assistant Chaplain
- Charles C Weybrecht Post 166 Alliance
- Asst.Chaplain@ohiolegion.com
- msgtfrank@yahoo.com
Stanley D Oren
Immediate Past Department Commander
- Harter-Williams Post 536 Gilboa
- PDC@ohiolegion.com
- natsnero8713@gmail.com
Robert (Bob) E Schmitt, Jr.
National Executive Committeeman
- Conn-Weissenberger Post 587 Toledo
- NEC@ohiolegion.com
- pastcmdrbob0001@yahoo.com
Jason E Rue
Alternate Nat’l Executive Committeeman
- Winnow-Arn Post 541 Continental
- jasonrue1974@gmail.com
Chris T Emmons
Department Judge Advocate
- Randolph Post 707 Englewood
- Judge.Advocate@ohiolegion.com
- emmons0341@gmail.com
Josh Brown
Assistant Judge Advocate
- Young-Budd Post 171 Westerville
- josh@joshbrownesq.com
Robert (Bob) Mason
Department Historian
- Earl Green Post 344 Carey
- Historian@ohiolegion.com
- hannible53@hotmail.com
Scott Horsington
Department Sergeant-At-Arms
- Hebron Post 285
- SGT-At-Arms@ohiolegion.com
- scotthorsington1@gmail.com
Kevin B Motter
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Montpelier Post 109
- motter.kb@gmail.com
Champ C Brown
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Newland-Trimble Post 615 Waynesville
- champisme333@gmail.com
Thom Stan
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Russell Chadwick Post 389 Beverly
- freedumbsenior@hotmail.com
Timothy Wayne Shaw
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Miami Valley Post 652 De Graff
- shawtw1973@gmail.com
Mel M Cantrell
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Union Post 79 Marysville
- 6thdistrictohio@gmail.com
Brian W Fowle
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Frank E Robinson Post 586 Tipp City
- chiefdaddy61@gmail.com
Larry E Stottsberry Jr.
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Massillon Post 221
- larrystottsberry@yahoo.com
- lessplenda4me@gmail.com
Gary A Minadeo
Department Parliamentarian
- Brewer-Tarasco Post 7 Wickliffe
- Parliamentarian@ohiolegion.com
- garyaminadeo@gmail.com
DISTRICTS
Burnell (Bernie) C Rau
“Great” First District Commander
- Winnow-Arn Post 541 Continental
- 1stDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- bernrau@gmail.com
Jeffrey L Hess
“Great” First District 1st Vice Commander
- Whitehouse Post 384
- 1stDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- jeffhess_20@outlook.com
Kurt D Emans
Second “To None” District Commander
- Bluffton Post 382
- 2ndDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- kemans@roadrunner.com
Thomas W Tierney
Second “To None” District 1st Vice Commander
- Celina Post 210
- 2ndDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- twttierney@hotmail.com
Michael D White
“Thundering” Third District Commander
- Randolph Post 707 Englewood
- 3rdDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- csmwhite@woh.rr.com
Robyn Ladson
“Thundering” Third District 1st Vice Commander
- General Daniel Chappie James Post 776 Dayton
- 3rdDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- firstclaz@yahoo.com
Steven A Baumann
“Fabulous” Fourth District Commander
- Loveland Inc. Post 256 Loveland
- 4thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- sabaumann2004@yahoo.com
Sylvia M Thweatt
“Fabulous” Fourth District 1st Vice Commander
- Stuart G Luginbuhl Post 72 Mt. Carmel
- 4thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- maminka1@yahoo.com
Kenneth M Parsons
“Fighting” Fifth District Commander
- Elmer Johnson Post 118 Amherst
- 5thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- kparsons112490@gmail.com
Ty A Bowers
“Fighting” Fifth District 1st Vice Commander
- Colonel Crawford Post 181 Bucyrus
- 5thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- ty_bwrs@yahoo.com
Keith Smigle
Sizzlin’ Sixth District Commander
- Clyde C Keltner Inc Post 518 Ashley
- 6thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- ksmigle@hotmail.com
Robert Decker
Sizzlin’ Sixth District 1st Vice Commander
- Lawrence Lightner Post 92 Utica
- 6thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- 143rcd@gmail.com
Johnny R Conley
“Magnificent” Seventh District Commander
- James Dickey Post 23 Portsmouth
- 7thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- JRConley1896@aol.com
Richard J Lavalley Jr.
“Magnificent” Seventh District 1st Vice Commander
- James Dickey Post 23 Portsmouth
- 7thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- richard.lavalley@yahoo.com
Ronnie (Ron) Rutter
“Great” Eighth District Commander
- Walker-Hecox-Hickle Post 677 Lithopolis
- 8thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- ron2460@hotmail.com
John Stabler
“Great” Eighth District 1st Vice Commander
- Wellston Post 371
- 8thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- johnnyrocketou@icloud.com
Bill R Dittebrand
“Dynamic” Ninth District Commander
- Palmer-Roberts Post 214 Willoughby
- 9thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- dittebrand@yahoo.com
Joseph R Ball
“Dynamic” Ninth District 1st Vice Commander
- Newton Post 236 Newton Falls
- 9thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- boats976@yahoo.com
Howard F Stouffer
“Great” Tenth District Commander
- Benjamin Firestone Post 290 Columbiana
- 10thdistcmdr@ohiolegion.com
- howardstouffer@gmail.com
Mark A Douglas
“Great” Tenth District 1st Vice Commander
- Alfred H Wedgewood Post 374 East Liverpool
- 10thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- madouglas0324@gmail.com
Richard L Smathers
“Elite” Eleventh District Commander
- Saner Post 228 Powhatan Point
- 11thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- rlsmathers52@gmail.com
Anthony C Gower
“Elite” Eleventh District 1st Vice Commander
- Ohio Valley Post 760 Hannibal
- 11thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- ssgt.gower06@gmail.com
Joseph L Woodrum III
“Capital” Twelfth District Commander
- Paschall Post 164 Grove City
- 12thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- jlwoodrum99@gmail.com
Jason A Norris
“Capital” Twelfth District 1st Vice Commander
- Paschall Post 164 Grove City
- 12thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- norris.legion@outlook.com
James G Lockyer
“Tenacious” Thirteenth District Commander
- Albert E Baesel Inc Post 91 Berea
- 13thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- jlock99131@msn.com
Kevin D Conlan
“Tenacious” Thirteenth District 1st Vice Commander
- Fairview Post 738 Fairview Park
- 13thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- conlankan@gmail.com
Jacob Marx
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District Commander
- Firestone Memorial Post 449 Akron
- 14thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- jake.marx.449@gmail.com
Russell E Chapman
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District 1st Vice Commander
- Garfield Memorial Post 566 Akron
- 14thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- chapkart11@gmail.com