DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Department Commander
Stanley D. Oren
- commander@ohiolegion.com
- 740-362-7478
Stanley D. Oren was elected to serve as the 2025-2026 Department of Ohio Commander on Sunday July 13th 2025. His eligibility stems from holding office in 2024-2025 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander and was elected to serve this high office on Sunday July 14th 2024 and also appointed to serve 2023-2024 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander and was elected to serve this high office on Sunday July 2nd 2023.
Stan earned his eligibility by serving in the United States Navy in 1969-1971.
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Stan is a 42-year member of Harter-Williams Post 536 Gilboa, currently serving as Finance Officer, Membership Chairman, and Post Adjutant. He is Past First District Commander 2017-2018 and Past
Department Assistance Sergeant-at-Arms 2018-2019. He is a member of the Buckeye Boys State Staff 2021-2023. Stan has served on the Department Americanism, Oratorical, and POW-MIA commissions and is a National Appointee for Americanism Commission.
He serves the veteran community as President of Putnam County Veterans Service Commission and membership in veterans organizations, SAL, Forty & Eight, VFW, DAV, AMVETS and VVA.
Stan is married to his long time partner, Ruth.
1st Vice Commander
Gary Cox Jr.
- 1stvice@ohiolegion.com
The First Vice Commander serves under the Commander of the Department of Ohio. His 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.
Gary W. Cox Jr. was was elected to serve 2025-2026 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander 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 24-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 9-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 34-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.
2nd Vice Commander
Holly Lewis
- 2ndvice@ohiolegion.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.
Holly Lewis was 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.
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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 2nd Vice Commander for the Department of Ohio American Legion. Additionally, she is the Vice Chair of the National American Legion Media and Communications Commission, advocating for veterans and their families at the national level.
Ken LaVoy
Department Treasurer
- Kettering Post 598
- treasurer@ohiolegion.com
- ken.j.lavoy@gmail.com
- kenlavoy.com
Ronald E Distel
Department Chaplain
- Alfred G Dodway Post 113 Port Clinton
- chaplain@ohiolegion.com
- crosswindacre@aol.com
Sharon L McClain
Assistant Chaplain
- Charles Faust Post 281 Cuyahoga Falls
- Asst.Chaplain@ohiolegion.com
- smccl84119@yahoo.com
Arnold “AJ” Whatley
Immediate Past Department Commander
- General Daniel Chappie James Post 776 Dayton
- PDC@ohiolegion.com
- awhat@att.net
Ronald L Chapman
National Executive Committeeman
- Williamsburg Inc Post 288 Williamsburg
- NEC@ohiolegion.com
- ronaldchapman1946@gmail.com
Robert (Bob) E Schmitt, Jr.
Alternate Nat’l Executive Committeeman
- Conn-Weissenberger Post 587 Toledo
- pastcmdrbob0001@yahoo.com
Jason E Rue
Department Judge Advocate
- Winnow-Arn Post 541 Continental
- Judge.Advocate@ohiolegion.com
- jasonrue1974@gmail.com
Christopher (Chris) T Emmons
Assistant Judge Advocate
- Randolph Post 707 Englewood
- emmons0341@gmail.com
Kevin B Motter
Department Historian
- Montpelier Post 109
- Historian@ohiolegion.com
- motter.kb@gmail.com
Robert (Bob) Mason
Assistant Historian
- Earl Green Post 344 Carey
- Asst.Historian@ohiolegion.com
- hannible53@hotmail.com
Michael (Mike) L Kennedy Sr.
Department Sergeant-At-Arms
- Reuben J Smith Post 297 Payne
- SGT-At-Arms@ohiolegion.com
- mk7291150@gmail.com
Christopher (Chris) Miller
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- M T Sterling Post 417 Mount Sterling
- christophermiller7187@outlook.com
Thom Stan
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Russell Chadwick Post 389 Beverly
- freedumbsenior@hotmail.com
Charles (Charlie) E Kvochick
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Irvin Hiskey Post 535 Bellville
- k44813@yahoo.com
Ty Bowers
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Colonel Crawford Post 181 Bucyrus
- ty_bwrs@yahoo.com
Mark Mahlman
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Robinson-Gibbs Post 265 Wauseon
- mhlmnmrk@yahoo.com
Robert (Bob) Mason
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms
- Earl Green Post 344 Carey
- Asst.Historian@ohiolegion.com
- hannible53@hotmail.com
Gary A Minadeo
Department Parliamentarian
- Brewer-Tarasco Post 7 Wickliffe
- Parliamentarian@ohiolegion.com
- garyaminadeo@gmail.com
DISTRICTS
Dean E Boyers
“Great” First District Commander
- Joseph W Diehn Post 468 Sylvania
- 1stDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- 468commander@gmail.com
Burnell (Bernie) C Rau
“Great” First District 1st Vice Commander
- Winnow-Arn Post 541 Continental
- 1stDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- bernrau@gmail.com
Timothy (Tim) Wayne Shaw
Second “To None” District Commander
- Miami Valley Post 652 De Graff
- 2ndDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- shawtw1973@gmail.com
Kurt D Emans
Second “To None” District 1st Vice Commander
- Bluffton Post 382
- 2ndDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- kemans@roadrunner.com
Brian W Fowle
“Thundering” Third District Commander
- Frank E Robinson Post 586 Tipp City
- 3rdDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- chiefdaddy61@gmail.com
Michael D White
“Thundering” Third District 1st Vice Commander
- Randolph Post 707 Englewood
- 3rdDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- csmwhite@woh.rr.com
Champ C Brown
“Fabulous” Fourth District Commander
- Newland-Trimble Post 615 Waynesville
- 4thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- champisme333@gmail.com
Steven A Baumann
“Fabulous” Fourth District 1st Vice Commander
- Loveland Inc Post 256
- 4thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- sabaumann2004@yahoo.com
Melissa R Rodgers
“Fighting” Fifth District Commander
- Elyria Post 12
- 5thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- rodgersmelissa06@gmail.com
Kenneth M Parsons
“Fighting” Fifth District 1st Vice Commander
- Elmer Johnson Post 118 Amherst
- 5thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- kparsons112490@gmail.com
William (Will) C Little
Sizzlin’ Sixth District Commander
- Hanover Post 764
- 6thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- william.c.little@outlook.com
Keith Smigle
Sizzlin’ Sixth District 1st Vice Commander
- Clyde C Keltner Inc Post 518 Ashley
- 6thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- ksmigle@hotmail.com
Johnny R Conley
“Magnificent” Seventh District Commander
- James Dickey Post 23 Portsmouth
- 7thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- JRConley1896@aol.com
Kenneth M Parsons
“Magnificent” Seventh District 1st Vice Commander
- James Dickey Post 23 Portsmouth
- 7thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- douglasboydsr71@gmail.com
Scott M Conn
“Great” Eighth District Commander
- Fairfield Post 11 Lancaster
- 8thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- scottconn@ymail.com
Ronnie (Ron) Rutter
“Great” Eighth District 1st Vice Commander
- Walker-Hecox-Hickle Post 677 Lithopolis
- 8thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- ron2460@hotmail.com
Samuel Swoger III
“Dynamic” Ninth District Commander
- Austintown Memorial Post 301 Austintown
- 9thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- uawsam1112usa@aol.com
William (Bill) Richard Dittebrand
“Dynamic” Ninth District 1st Vice Commander
- Palmer-Roberts Post 214 Willoughby
- 9thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- dittebrand@yahoo.com
Thomas D Barnett
“Great” Tenth District Commander
- Carroll Post 428 Carrollton
- 10thdistcmdr@ohiolegion.com
- tombarnett01@hotmail.com
Howard F Stouffer
“Great” Tenth District 1st Vice Commander
- Benjamin Firestone Post 290 Columbiana
- 10thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- howardstouffer@gmail.com
David Taylor
“Elite” Eleventh District Commander
- Beallsville Post 768
- 11thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- alledoniaboy1@gmail.com
Richard L Smathers
“Elite” Eleventh District 1st Vice Commander
- Saner Post 228 Powhatan Point
- 11thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- rlsmathers52@gmail.com
Suzette Heller
“Capital” Twelfth District Commander
- Franklin Inc Post 1 Columbus
- 12thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- zheller1105@gmail.com
Joseph L Woodrum III
“Capital” Twelfth District 1st Vice Commander
- Paschall Post 164 Grove City
- 12thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- jlwoodrum99@gmail.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
John J Life
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District Commander
- Firestone Memorial Post 449 Akron
- 14thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com
- Liferusmc@gmail.com
Jacob Marx
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District 1st Vice Commander
- Firestone Memorial Post 449 Akron
- 14thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com
- jake.marx.449@gmail.com