Meet Post 246’s Leadership
Commander/Girls State- Michelle Lee
Former Commander/Boys & Girls State - Eric Ardell
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.
Second Vice Commander/Scouts BSA- Alan Scharlach
Alan Scharlach graduated in 1970 from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He served in the US Army Reserve in Armor on active duty from 1971-1973 at Fort Ord CA with the 91st Infantry Division training troops and from 1973 to 1978 in the 352nd Medical Unit Self Transportable, Oakland Army Base. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Lincoln University School of Law, San Francisco in 1977. Alan worked as a civil trial attorney with the Oakland Law Firm of Robbins, Dangott and Scharlach from 1977 to 2006 and then his own firm from 2007 to 2018. He joined the American Legion in 2014 to support Veterans and Boy Scouts. Currently, he serves as the 2nd Vice Commander and Scouting Representative.
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.
Chaplain - 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.
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..
Past Commander/Third Vice Commander- Mark Heinemann
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.
Finance - Phil Connolly
Phil Connolly served in the Army from 1977 to 1993 in the Infantry at Fort Ord, CA; Ft Benning, GA; and Dahlonega, GA and Military Police in Hempstead, NY. Phil has worked as a finance professional in the technology segment with various companies in Silicon Valley and currently is the CFO for Navegate, Inc. Phil joined Post 246 in 2014 in order to give back to the military veteran community.
First Vice Commander - Elizabeth Frietas
Elizabeth Freitas began her civilian career in retail sales and food service. She then served in the US Army from 2007 to 2011 as a Food Service Specialist at Fort Bliss TX. She moved to a career path in nutrition and wellness and is nationally credentialed as a Nutrition and Dietetics Technician. She graduated from Purdue University with a Master’s Degree in Public Health in 2024. Elizabeth is currently working as a Health Coach. She previously served at American Legion Post 237 in Pleasanton as Service Officer and is excited to serve as Mt. Diablo Post 246 1st Vice Commander for bright opportunities serving our Veterans Community.