Department Commander
Jean L. Wilson
Jean L. Wilson was appointed to the high office of Commander of The American Legion Department of Ohio by unanimous vote at the 102nd Department Convention on July 11th, 2021. As Department Commander of the largest Veteran’s organization statewide, Wilson will serve a 1-year term as the lead Ambassador of over 520 Posts and 85,000 members.
Jean Wilson is a Post awarded life member of both Yeager-Benson Post 199 and AmVets Post 13 and a Unit awarded life member of Yeager-Benson Auxiliary Unit 199. Jean earned her eligibility in these organizations by serving in the United States Army 1969-1971. Jean has served her American Legion Post in all the offices; she served as Post Commander 1990-1992 and is currently serving her 20th year as Post Finance Officer. She is both a past Hamilton County American Legion Commander and past Fabulous Fourth District American Legion Commander. She was the Big Brown Jug Commander 2000-2001. Jean has served the National American Legion on the Americanism Committee.
Jean met and married her husband, Jerry while both were serving in Ft Jackson SC and they have two children, Tammie and Woody and seven grandchildren.
She served on the Joseph House Board for ten years serving twice as President; she served on the Cincinnati Fisher House for ten years and has served on the Friends of the Fisher House at the Cincinnati VA.
Since 2011 Jean has served on the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission and was appointed by Governor Kasich to the Ohio Women’s Task Force. For the past nine years she has served on the Harrison Mayor’s Fund and currently serving as the Board President. Recently Jean was recognized by the Xi Eta Lota, Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority of Harrison as the First Lady of Harrison Community Service award for 2018. The City of Harrison recognized Jean’s support of not lonely Veterans and their families but her Community by bestowing the honor of being the Grand Marshall of the City of Harrison July 4, 2018 parade.
Jean was elected to serve 2018-2019 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 1, 2018 and also elected to serve 2019-2020 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander on Sunday June 30th 2019
Brad Teis | 1st Vice Commander
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.
Brad Teis was elected to serve 2019-2020 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday June 30th 2019 and elected to serve 2021-2022 as the Department of Ohio 1st Vice Commander on Sunday July 11th 2021.
Brad is a member of Canton Post 44, where he has served in every Post Position including Post Commander 2015-2019. Brad is also a Post 44, SAL Squadron member. He is on the Canton Post 44 Honor Guard.
In 2017, he was elected to10th District 2nd Vice Commander and in 2018, to 1st Vice Commander, and was instrumental in helping the 10th District achieve Quota and win the National Race-To-The-Top Award in 2017 and 2018. He then served as 10th District Commander 2018-2019 and was National Runner-up in the 2019 Race-To-The-Top Award. Brad received the Department Commanders Award and The Department Adjutants Award for 2018. He is a post awarded PUFL member.
Brad earned his eligibility by serving during The Vietnam Era in both the Navy and Army. He also served in The Ohio National Guard at the Akron–Canton Airport. He has been the 10th District Committee Chairperson for Special Olympics, and also has served as a National Appointee to The Americanism Commission, and a Commissioner to Ohio Buckeye Boy’s State.
He is a member of The Greater Canton Veterans Council and has served on the Board of the Homes for Heroes. Mr. Teis is a Co-Founder of The Aultman-Woodlawn Compassionate Care Center Honor Team serving our Hospice Veterans and their families in their time of need. He has served as the 2019-2020 Vice President of the 10th District Past Commanders Association and also served on the 10th District Task Force and Advisory Committee.
He is very active in his community where he visits veterans in area Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Hospice Centers.
He retired from The Hoover Company in 2006, after 33 years.
He has been married to his best friend and wife Roxanne for 30 years and they have four children, Bradley Jr, Michael, Brittany, Ryan and four grandchildren.
Charles Stennis | 2nd Vice Commander
The Second Vice Commander serves under the 1st Vice Commander and the Commander of the Department of Ohio. His responsibilities include being Post Actvities Chairman.
Charles M. Stennis Jr. was elected to serve 2021-2022 as the Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander on Sunday July 11th 2021.