Officers

Department Commander

Charles Stennis

740-362-7478 |  commander@ohiolegion.com

Charles M. Stennis Jr. was elected to serve 2021-2022 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 11th 2021 and elected to serve 2022-2023 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander on Sunday July 3rd 2022 and also appointed to serve 2022-2024, as the Department of Ohio Commander by order of Executive Session decision on August 6th 2022.

Charles is a 18 -year PUFL member of Brakeman-King Post 336 and earned his eligibility for the American Legion through his service in the United States Army from 1986-1991.

Charles has served his post Brakeman-King Post 336 Painesville in several elected offices such as Commander (2009-2018), 1^st Vice Cdr. (2007-2008), and is currently in his 3^rd year as Post Finance Officer. He has served as Lake County Commander and Chaplain and as Commander of the Dynamic Ninth District in 2012. Charles has served the Department of Ohio on several different committees as Asst. Department Chaplain and the last two years as the Department of Ohio as Treasurer.

Charles is currently employed with the Henkel Corporation in Mentor, OH as the Distribution Manager where he is a member of the Site leadership team. Charles has worked for other companies in accounting and supply chain management such as Avery Dennison, Johnson & Johnson, and MSC Industrial.

Charles is engaged in community serving on several non-profit boards in Lake County, Ohio. He is currently Vice-President, past President, Lake County Metropolitan Housing Authority which serves over 3,000 families in Lake County. Charles is also the President of Forbes House, Lake County’s only 24hr. domestic violence shelter.

Charles has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA in Business Administration from Cleveland State University.

Charles has been married to his Tammy, a member of Auxiliary Unit 336, for 33 years and resides in Concord, Ohio. They have one son Brandon a US Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, and three grandchildren Greyson, Leilani, and Journee.

Charles is supporter of the programs of the American Legion, and moreover he is a supporter of veterans, in everything he does he seeks to put veterans first.

 

» COMMANDER’S CORNER

Jason Rue | 1st Vice Commander

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.

Jason Rue was elected to serve as the 2022-2023 Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 3rd 2022 and also appointed to serve 2022-2024, as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander by order of Executive Session decision on August 6th 2022.

Jason earned his eligibility by service in United States Marine Corps Reserves from January 1994 through January 2000 and the Ohio Army National Guard from June 2005 to December 2019, upon retiring and served a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Local Level: Past Commander at Winnow-Arn Post 541 for two years. District Level: Jason served as The Great First District Commander for two years.

He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport Marketing and Management. He also earned a Master’s in Business Administration.

Jason is married to Mindi Rue.

Arnold Whatley | 2nd Vice Commander

2ndvice@ohiolegion.com

The Second Vice Commander serves under the 1st Vice Commander and the Commander of the Department of Ohio. His responsibilities include being Post Activities Chairman.

Arnold Whatley was appointed to serve 2022-2024, as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander by order of Executive Session decision on August 6th 2022.

Arnold is a member of Post 776 and served 22 ½ years of Active Duty in the United States Air Force (USAF) His past and current offices include; National American Legion Appointment, Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R), National Cemetery Committee 2018 -Present, Department of Ohio American Legion Internal Commission Member -2021, Sgt at Arms -2017 – 2018, Assistant Sgt at Arms-2016.

His District Positions/Accomplishments include; 3rd District Commander-2014-2015, 1st Vice Commander -2013, 2nd Vice Commander -2012, Finance Officer-2011, Resolution -2016 -Present, Past Commander Committee -2016 -Present.

His Post Positions/Accomplishments include; Commander Post 776 – 2008-2010, 1st Vice Commander – 2007, 3 Year Trustee -2001, 2004, 2018, 2 Year Trustee -2002, 2005, 2019, 1 Year Trustee -2003, 2006, Present, Needy Family Committee Member 2011 -Present, & PUFL – Major Accomplishments as Commander: $21,000 donation towards Gifts for Yanks Program, 20 Candidates to Boys State, 100% Membership Quota Met.

His other affiliations include; Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge State of Ohio, Edward Dugger, Jr Military Lodge #123 Worshipful Master, Past Master 32° Degree, Miami Consistory #26, Worshipful Master of the Rose Corix, Order of the Eastern Star (OES), Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA), Inc., Past Patron – 2015-2017, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Akbar Temple #41, Springfield, Ohio, Noble

Arnold is endorsed by Past Department Commanders:
Stanley Pleasant
Henry Long
Robert Steele
David Hilliard