DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

 
Department Officers for the 2025-2026 Membership Year
  
 

 
 
Eugene Blackwell, State Commander (Bio) 
 
 
 
 Robert Bailey, State Sr. Vice Commander (Bio)

 
 
Ryan Higginbotham, State Jr. Vice Commander  (Bio)
 

 
 
Scott Swinford, State Adjutant/Quartermaster (Bio)
 
Chaplain: Gary Holmes
Chief of Staff: Robert Welch
Inspector: Cathy Stubbs
Surgeon: Doug Jameson
Judge Advocate: Jayson Hoffman
National Council Member: Matt Clausen
Aide de Camp: 
Advisor to the State Commander: 
Assistant Adjutant: Johnathan Cooper
Assistant Quartermaster: Bobby Edwards
Veterans Service Director: Sean Conner
Officer of the Day: Jeffery Britt
Sergeant-at-Arms: Ray Bachewicz
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms:  Roy Johnson, Steve Noodwang
Student Veterans Liasons: Georges Sanon
Parlimentarian: Fritz Michelcic
Emblem and Supply: Duane Hisel and Jimmie Waters

District Commanders for the 2025-2026 Year
3rd District, Zhi Chen
4th District, Evemarie Duff
5th District, Mathius Carter
6th District, Rob Bland
7th District, David Long
8th District, Ken Morey
9th District, John Finnegan
10th District, Josh Seed
11th District, Rick "Lurch" Hobbs
12th District, Anthony Avers
13th District, Bob Shehorn
14th District, Euphamiea Louer-Wagoner
15th District, Clarence Caraker
16th District, William Browne
17th District, James Thorne
18th District, Paul Cravens
19th District, Michaelangelo Di Cosola
 
Program Chairmen for the 2025-2026 Year
Safety, Glen Goodrich
Membership, Mathius Carter
Assistant Membership, Josh Seed, Eric Morales, Alonzo Skipper, Evamarie Duff
POW/MIA, Clarence Caraker
Blood Donor, Robert Bland
Community Activities, Steve Eller
Homeless Vets, Paul Bezazian
MAP/Military Service, Bill Browne
 Legislative, Jonathan Cooper and John Lawson
Assistant Legislative, Dave Marsh
National Home Chairman, Kyna Simpson
 All-State Program, Steve Eller
Voice of Democracy, Dave Darte
Assistant Voice of Democracy, Kyna Simpson
Youth Activities and Patriot's Pen, John Davin
Assistant Youth Activities, Michelle Ramlow
Scouting, Ron Milton
Buddy Poppy, Stephanie Kirksey
Women Veterans, Nekohl Johnson
State Photographer, Arnold Taylor
Historian, Bobby Welch
VAC Liaison, Doug Jameson
Budget and Finance, Phil Maughan
Assistant Budget and Finance, Scott Swinford
Illinois VFW News Editor and Marketing, Barbara Wilson

 
Foundation Officers for the 2025-2026 Year
 
President, Todd Latham
Vice President, Brett Nila
Secretary, Barb Wilson
Treasurer, Scott Swinford