Meet Post 246 Leadership
Post Commander- Mary O’Donnell
Mary O’Donnell served in the US Coast Guard. Mary received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and Master’s degrees from Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Golden Gate University. Mary attended the Naval War College and the National Defense University and completed the CAPSTONE program. Her Coast Guard assignments included both traditional operational missions and six years with the joint service environment of expeditionary warfare. Mary joined The American Legion in 2021.
First Vice Commander/Girls State- Michelle Lee
Michelle Lee graduated from the University of California Berkeley and the USAF Air University Command and Staff College. She served for 36 years on active and reserve duty with US Air Force intelligence. She also worked at Stanford University where she held leadership and management positions for staff and student affairs. She is active with various community service organizations and serves on the Board of the Directors for both non-profit foundations and a public agency. She joined The American Legion in 2009 to support youth programs and to improve Veteran’s lives. She has served in several Post leadership roles including Past Commander at both Newark Washington Township Post 837 and Mt Diablo Post 246.
Second Vice Commander- Thomas Baker
Thomas Baker served four years on active duty in the United States Air Force, from 1988 to 1992, and was deployed with the 438th Security Police Squadron in support of Operation Desert Storm, serving in Saudi Arabia. After his separation from the military, Thomas graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned his MBA from Pepperdine University, all while building a 30-year career in finance, working in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, for Dean Witter, Morgan Stanley, and BlackRock. Thomas currently works at Goldman Sachs as a Vice President, with expertise in Alternative Investments. He joined the American Legion Post 246 in 2026 and is also a member of the Patriot Guard and American Legion Riders.
Third Vice Commander- Mark Heinemann
Mark Heinemann graduated from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He served in the Ordnance Corps with Army Reserve units stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco from 1974 to 1981. He worked for Chevron Corporation in crude oil refining operations, business and strategic planning, and international oil and gas cargo marketing positions in the US, Canada, The Bahamas, and Kazakhstan from 1973 to 2016. He joined Post 246 in 2017 to support programs for at risk veterans. He serves in Post 246 and District 9 positions.
Past Commander/Boys & Girls State - Eric Ardell
Eric Ardell graduated from Oregon State University in 1966. He served on active duty in the US Navy for nine years, including a tour in-country Vietnam and one during the fall of Saigon in 1975 and 15 years in the Reserves, primarily at SIMA San Francisco. His civilian career from 1975 to 2011 focused on Project Management in the Defense and Construction industries. He joined the American Legion in 2002 and Post 246 in 2010. He has served as Post Commander for seven years. He chairs the Boys State program, his passion, for both the Post and District 9.
Adjutant - Bob Landy
Bob Landy graduated from San Francisco State University in 1968. He served in the US Marine Corps Reserve from 1968 to 1975. He initially worked for Lane Bryant Department Store as Credit Manager and Office Manager, for Amelco Electric and Rosendin Electric as a purchasing agent, and for FM Nicholas Co. as a manufacturer’s representative for electrical fitting sales. In 2002 he started his own business offering health and wellness products. He joined the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce in 2002 where he was voted Ambassador of the Year three times and received a Chairman's Award. He joined the American Legion in 2008 to support veterans and give back to the community. He has served as Post Adjutant since 2017.