Department Officers

Department 1st Vice Commander / Membership

Wayne Blank 

As an Air Force Veteran of the Vietnam Era1967-1971, I am proud to serve my Fellow Veterans as 2nd Vice Commander for the Department of Michigan. I was born and raised in Monroe, Michigan, attending 12 years of primary school and continuing at Monroe County Community College. I later studied drafting at the Stautzenberger Drafting School.

At the Post level, I have been Judge Advocate, Commander, 1st vice Commander, Finance officer, Riders Director, and Detachment Commander of the SAL. I have also served at the District level as Commander, Adjutant, and Finance Officer. Before being elected to my current position of 2nd Vice Commander, I was the Commander of Zone 2.

I am dedicated to my community and, for 4 years, have been a Trustee for the Monroe Township. Furthermore, I for 2 years have been the Director of the Bedford Vets Center. I serve as a Trustee of my Church and the Vice President of my HOA. I am also a National Rifle Association Instructor and Training Counselor.

Department 2nd Vice Commander / Americanism Chairman

Jim Austin

 

Department Adjutant - Ronald Runyan

Ron earned his eligibility from the Persian Gulf War. A U.S. Navy veteran, served aboard the USS Longbeach CGN-9 from 1988-1991 and active Navy reserves from 1991-1993. He then joined The American Legion in 1997. While serving aboard the Longbeach a World Cruise was completed, Desert Shield & Desert Strom, Panama and Coast Guard operations were conducted.

A graduate of National Institute of Technology; Schoolcraft College degree in Electronic Engineering and current student at Columbia Southern University achieving a Masters degree in Business Administration & Human Resource Management.

Ron has two wonderful children Jessica and Mikael and a granddaughter's Addison and Della and Lillian. In his free time he likes to walk the beaches of Michigan lakes finding rocks as an avid rock hound, and tumbles and polishes them for gifts. If rocks were not enough, Ron also loves music and concerts. As his favorite band of all time JOURNEY says "Don't Stop Believin"!

Finance Officer 

Leo Cowdry

I served in the United States Air Force as a Fire Protection Specialist during the Vietnam Era. After my service, I was a paid on-call firefighter in my local community, where I worked my way to becoming Deputy Chief. 2016, I retired from GM Lansing Delta Township Plant after 40 years of service. I have an Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences from Lansing Community College. I have served my Post as Service Officer, Jr Vice Commander and Commander in the American Legion. At the District level I have served as Adjutant and Commander. I have served on numerous Department committees and am now the Department Finance Officer.

 

 

 

Chaplain

Michael Schlaack

Michael (Mike) Schlaack a 29-year member of the American Legion and has served as the chaplain for American Legion Post 141 in Howell, as well as a member of the Post’s American Legion Riders.  He has worked in the Information Technology department at DTE Energy for 26 years and has nearly 40 years of experience in the Information Technology field.

Mike joined the U.S. Army after graduating from Durand Area High School in 1979, and received training as a 19D (Cavalry Scout) at Fr. Knox, KY.  After serving as a hometown recruiter’s aid, Mike went on to his first duty assignment at Ft. Hood, TX, assigned to 1/8 Cav., 1 Cav. Div.  In 1981, Mike was assigned to Aschaffenburg, GE, to serve in 4/64 Armor (3ID).  He was later reassigned to the Battalion and 3rd Brigade (3ID) S-3 shops as an assistant operations NCO.

Mike re-enlisted in 1984 to retrain in the computer field as a 34H at Ft. Gordon, GA.  Upon completion of training, he was assigned to S.H.A.P.E. (Supreme HQ Allied Powers Europe) in Mons, BE. Mike left military service as a Staff Sergeant in 1985 and worked in Germany for defense contractors supporting battlefield simulation centers in the Frankfurt/Darmstadt areas.  He returned to the United States with his family in 1993.

Mike holds a BS degree in Computer Info. Systems Management, an MS in Computer Info Systems, and an MA-Theology in Systematic Theology.  He is a Protodeacon in the Orthodox Christian Church and has served for over 13 years at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Fenton, MI.  He has been a resident of Howell, MI, for 30 years and has been involved in local Scouting at the Pack, Troop, and District levels.  Mike is an Eagle Scout (1978) and a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow.

Mike has been married to his wife, Susan, for 44 years, and they have three adult children.  In his spare time Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, motorcycle riding, reading and woodworking.

Sgt at Arms

Bob Salamon

As an American Legion Veteran, I earned my eligibility by serving in The United States Air Force from 1968 to 1973. Even though my dream of seeing the world with the Air Force didn’t come true, I made the most of my time as a personnel Specialist at Selfridge AFB, MI., Calumet AFS, Mi., and at HQ Air Training Command, Randolph AFB, San Antonio, Texas.

I served on the post level at Post 217, Wyandotte, MI. as Sgt-at-Arms, Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, and Commander (3 years), and I am currently the post adjutant. I served as Sgt-at-Arms, Chaplain, Vice Commander and Commander at the District level. I was a Department assistant Sgt-at-Arms for four years before being elected as Department Sgt-at-Arms.

 

Judge Advocate 

 

Brett Holt

         Brett Holt served in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1994 onboard the aircraft carriers USS America (CV-66) and USS George Washington (CVN-73). He was a member of the commissioning crew for George Washington. In between, he spent three years as a Navy Recruiter in Houston, Texas.
            Brett currently serves as the Department of Michigan’s Alternate National Executive Committeeman. He currently serves as the Department of Michigan’s Judge Advocate and Constitution and Bylaws Subcommittee Chairman. Brett is also the Judge Advocate for the eighth district and Judge Advocate for Post 412, Bath.
            He has held several officer positions at all levels of the organization. Some but not all positions include Department Commander 2017-2018, Zone Commander, District Commander, District Adjutant, Post Commander, as well as National Committee Appointments on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Health Administration and Americanism.
            Brett is a 26-year member of The American Legion and a PUFL. He is also a member of the Sons of The American Legion. He is a Class of 2006 National Legion College Graduate and an honorary member of the Army, Navy, Air Force in Canada, United States Unit (ANAVICUS).
            Brett was born in Galveston, Texas and spent his teenage years living in Belgium, Iran and South Africa. He attended a British boarding school in South Africa. Prior to joining the Navy, he attended Texas A&M University.
            He is married to his wife, Bonnie and has two children and two stepchildren. His granddaughter recently graduated from Basic Training for the Texas National Guard.

 

 

Historian

Bob Higley

Bob earned his eligibility during the Grenada/Panama era. He served in the Army National Guard as a scout for a TOW missile Battalion. Bob is a 24-year PUFL member. He has served as Department historian, membership director and assistant membership director. At the District level, he has served as commander, alternate commander, finance officer, historian and sergeant-at-arms. At the post level, he has served as commander, senior vice-commander, adjutant, finance officer, historian and chaplain. Bob is also a 2014 graduate of the National American Legion College and is currently on the National Security Commission.

 

A graduate of Lawrence Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering, he has been employed as a construction superintendent for over 30 years. Bob has a 35-year-old son, Matt, who is a member of the Sons of The American Legion.