Department Commander

Jason Rue

740-362-7478 |  commander@ohiolegion.com

Jason Rue was elected to serve as the 2023-2024 Department of Ohio Commander on Sunday July 2nd 2023. His eligibility stems from holding office in 2022-2023 as Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander in which he was elected to serve on Sunday July 3rd 2022 and also appointed to serve 2022-2023, 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.

 

» COMMANDER’S CORNER

Arnold Whatley | 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.

Arnold Whatley was was elected to serve 2023-2024 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander on Sunday July 2nd 2023 and also appointed to serve 2022-2023, 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

Stan Oren | 2nd Vice Commander

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.

Stan Oren was was elected to serve 2023-2024 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 2nd 2023.

Stan earned his eligibility by serving in the United States Navy in 1969-1971.

Stan is a 40-year member of Harter-Williams Post 536 Gilboa, currently serving as Finance Officer.   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.

Jose L Rivera

Brewer-Tarasco Post 7 Wickliffe
Department Treasurer

treasurer@ohiolegion.com     jose9legion@gmail.com

Department Treasurer - Jose Rivera

Ronald E Distel

Alfred G Dodway Post 113 Port Clinton
Department Chaplain

Chaplain@ohiolegion.com     crosswindacre@aol.com

Ron Distel - Department Chaplain

James O Fast

Auglaize Post 330 Wapakoneta
 Assistant Chaplain

Asst.Chaplain@ohiolegion.com     jofast@hotmail.com

James Fast- Department Assistant Chaplain

Charles M Stennis Jr

Brakeman-King Post 336 Painesville
Immediate Past Department Commander

PDC@ohiolegion.com     cstennis228@yahoo.com

Immediate Past Department Commander - Charles Stennis

Steve Masowick

Post 685 Streetsboro
Nat’l Executive Committeeman

NEC@ohiolegion.com    stevem6742@gmail.com

National Executive Committeeman - Steve Masowick

Ronald L Chapman

Post 288 Williamsburg Inc
Alternate Nat’l Executive Committeeman

rchap@fuse.net

National Alternate Executive Committeeman - Ron Chapman

Josh Brown

William R Schnug Memorial Post 614 Hilliard
Department Judge Advocate

Judge.Advocate@ohiolegion.com     josh@joshbrownesq.com

Josh Brown - Department Judge Advocate

Albert D Beyer

Robert Dick Rowland Post 523 Lodi
Department Historian

Historian@ohiolegion.com     albeyer49@gmail.com

Al Beyer- Historian

Robert S White, PHD (Bob)

Brecksville-Excelsior Post 196 Brecksville
Department Asst. Historian

Asst.Historian@ohiolegion.com     legionbirdman@yahoo.com

Robert White - Department Assistant Historian

Dean E Boyers

Joseph W Diehn Post 468 Sylvania
Department Sergeant-At-Arms 

SGT-At-Arms@ohiolegion.com     468commander@gmail.com

Dean Boyers - Department Sergeant-At-Arms

Kevin B Motter

Post 109 Montpelier
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

motter.kb@gmail.com

Kevin Motter - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

John J Life

Firestone Memorial Post 449 Akron
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

Liferusmc@gmail.com

John Life - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Michael J Blackwell (Mike)

Randolph Post 707 Englewood
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

mblackwell85@hotmail.com

Mike Blackwell - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Jerry E Perry

Stuart G Luginbuhl Post 72 MT Carmel
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

jperry319@outlook.com

Jerry Perry - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Larry E Stottsberry Jr

Post 221 Massillon
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

lessplenda4me@gmail.com

Larry Stottsberry - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Joyce A Hannum

Atwood-Mauck Post 459 Burton
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

hannum.joyce@gmail.com

Joyce Hannum - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Robert O Schmoll Jr

Feeney-Bennett Post 128 Middleport
Asst. Sergeant-At-Arms

schmoll@core.com

Robert Schmoll - Department Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Gary A Minadeo

Brewer-Tarasco Post 7 Wickliffe
Department Parliamentarian

Parliamentarian@ohiolegion.com     garyaminadeo@gmail.com

Gary Minadeo - Department Parliamentarian

Harold D Landis

Toledo Police Post 512 Toledo
“Great” First District Commander

1stDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     haroldlandis@haroldlandis.net

1st District Commander - Harold Landis

Mark Mahlman

Robinson-Gibbs Post 265 Wauseon
“Great” First District 1st Vice Commander

1stDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     mhlmnmrk@yahoo.com

1st District 1st Vice Commander - Mark Mahlman

Thomas W Tierney

Post 210 Celina
Second “To None” District Commander

2ndDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     twttierney@hotmail.com

2nd District Commander - Thomas Tierney

Vacant

Post 000
Second “To None” District 1st Vice Commander

2ndDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     legion@ohiolegion.com

2nd District 1st Vice Commander - Vacant

Ken LaVoy

Post 598 Kettering
“Thundering” Third District Commander

3rdDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com

3rd District Commander - Ken LaVoy

Christopher T Emmons (Chris)

Randolph Post 707 Englewood
“Thundering” Third District 1st Vice Commander

3rdDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com

3rd District 1st Vice Commander - Chris Emmons

Albert S Buxton (Al)

Yeager-Benson Memorial Post 199 Harrison
“Fabulous” Fourth District Commander

4thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     asbuxton69@gmail.com

4th District Commander - Al Buxton

Robert E Wilson Jr

Havelock D Nelson Post 681 West Chester
“Fabulous” Fourth District 1st Vice Commander

4thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     rewilson45@yahoo.com

4th District 1st Vice Commander - Robert Wilson

Martin H Moore

Elmer Johnson Post 118 Amherst
“Fighting” Fifth District Commander

5thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     i4gotit2@msn.com

5th District Commander - Martin Moore

Robert Mason

Earl Green Post 344 Carey
“Fighting” Fifth District 1st Vice Commander

5thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     hannible53@hotmail.com

5th District 1st Vice Commander - Bob Mason

Vacant

Post
Sizzlin’ Sixth District Commander

6thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com

OhioLogo

Christopher Miller

Jenkins-Vaughan Post 97 Cardington
Sizzlin’ Sixth District 1st Vice Commander

6thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     christophermiller7187@outlook.com

6th District 1st Vice Commander - Christopher Miller

Lorena Nichols

Paul H Hughey Post 25 Washington Ct House
“Magnificent” Seventh District Commander

7thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     district7alnichols@gmail.com

7th District Commander - Lorena Nichols

Johnny R Conley

James Dickey Post 23 Portsmouth
“Magnificent” Seventh District 1st Vice Commander

7thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     jrconley1896@aol.com

7th District 1st Vice Commander - Johnny Conley

Donald N Capps

John Tague Post 188 New Lexington
“Great” Eighth District Commander

8thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     capps.2354@gmail.com

8th District Commander - Donald Capps

Larry Sullivan

Lawrence Neal Helber Post 78 Logan
“Great” Eighth District 1st Vice Commander

8thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     larry-sullivan@live.com

8th District 1st Vice Commander - Larry Sullivan

William Richard Dittebrand (Bill)

Palmer-Roberts Post 214 Willoughby
“Dynamic” Ninth District Commander

9thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     dittebrand@yahoo.com

9th District Commander - William Dittebrand

Jacqueline Whetstone

William McKinley Post 106 Niles
“Dynamic” Ninth District 1st Vice Commander

9thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     momanddad.jw@gmail.com

9th District 1st Vice Commander - Jacqueline Whetstone

Wesley A Crothers

Joe Williams Inc Post 131 Leetonia
“Great” Tenth District Commander

10thdistcmdr@ohiolegion.com     leetonialegion@gmail.com

10th District Commander - Wesley Crothers

Howard K Marotto

Post 221 Massillon
“Great” Tenth District 1st Vice Commander

10thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     howardmarotto@aol.com

10th District 1st Vice Commander - Howard Marotto

Thom Stan

Russell Chadwick Post 389 Beverly
“Elite” Eleventh District Commander

11thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     freedumbsenior@hotmail.com

11th District Commander - Thom Stan

Lee A Price

Post 768 Beallsville
“Elite” Eleventh District 1st Vice Commander

11thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     leeprice47819@gmail.com

11th District 1st Vice Commander - Lee Price

Brad Beatty

Paschall Post 164 Grove City
“Capital” Twelfth District Commander

12thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     bjbeatty61@aol.com

12th District Commander - Brad Beatty

Michael J Higgins

Camp Chase Post 98 Columbus
“Capital” Twelfth District 1st Vice Commander

12thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     mhig984@aol.com

12th District 1st Vice Commander - Mike Higgins

Bertrand C Boyd Sr

Western Reserve Post 315 Cleveland
“Tenacious” Thirteenth District Commander

13thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     bertboydsr@gmail.com

13th District Commander - Bert Boyd

Richard A Wengatz (Woody)

Brecksville-Excelsior Post 196 Brecksville
“Tenacious” Thirteenth District 1st Vice Commander

13thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     rwengatz@mangobay.com

13th District 1st Vice Commander - Richard Wengatz

Sharon L McClain

Charles Faust Post 281 Cuyahoga Falls
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District Commander

14thDistCMDR@ohiolegion.com     SMccl84119@yahoo.com

14th District Commander- Sharon McClain

Rodger S Wiant

Portage Post 496 Kent
“Phenomenal” Fourteenth District 1st Vice Commander

14thDist1stVice@ohiolegion.com     tank@neo.rr.com

14th District 1st Vice Commander - Rodger Wiant