After 30 years of active-duty service and holding various leadership positions at various levels within the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), I am proud to announce my candidacy for Vice Chairman of the Southern Conference this year.

As your Vice Chairman, I will represent you not only through my words and actions but also by embodying the values and mission of the VFW.  As General Colin Powell stated, "The most important thing I learned is soldiers watch what their leaders do.  You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow”.  The Southern Conference continues to excel, through our past leadership, and I plan on not resting on our laurels and continuing to make the Southern Conference the best and strongest conference, along with assisting any conference Anytime Anywhere.

I am committed to fostering transparent leadership and teamwork – principles that will guide every decision I make.  Transparency in decision making ensures that all leaders in the Southern Conference, down to the individual Post member, remains informed and engaged.  Across our 14 prideful states, I plan to achieve this through a combination of face-to-face meetings and leveraging modern media/marketing platforms.  Starting with quarterly video conferencing for both Department Leadership and any veteran that wishes to join in on varies topics involving special guests from our National subject matter experts.  I also plan to continue the process of mentorship.  Whether it’s the Flying Squadrons, Development Programs (Online or Face to Face), we must continue to develop our future leaders with strategic vision to ensure we continue stay relevant.  

I will always be available to answer any questions or concerns you might have.  My commitment/passion for the VFW drives me to serve and define my "Why”.

I look forward to earning your trust and support as we move forward together in service to our veterans and our communities. 

Respectfully,

Eric Dudash