The district commanders receive an all-expense paid trip to the national convention in Tampa, Fla., for recognition.
American Legion district commanders from Florida, Puerto Rico and Texas will be honored on stage during the 2025 National Convention in Tampa, Fla., for winning their respective categories in the Race to the Top competition.
Race to the Top is divided into five categories based on the membership of the district without regard to geographic locations. The top district commander in each category whose district membership on March 31 represented the greatest percentage over the final previous year’s membership is named a Race to the Top winner. Due to the Personify server migration in March, the Race to the Top qualification was extended to April 9 this year instead of March 31.
This year’s four winning district commanders, along with a guest, will receive an all-expense paid trip to Tampa for the 106th National Convention as a distinguished guest of National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr. The trip includes round-trip airfare, tickets to the National Commander’s Banquet, and hotel accommodations for six days and five nights. The winning district commanders also will receive a Legion cap that signifies they are Race to the Top winners, and awarded on stage at the national convention with ribbons for each of the district’s posts.
2025 Race to the Top winners are:
Category I Districts of 15 to 1,499 members: Hector Rodriguez, District 2, Puerto Rico (117.29%)
Category II Districts of 1,500 to 2,999 members: Cyndi Miller, District 11, Texas, (113.24%)
Category III Districts of 3,000 to 4,999 members: Doug Hockenberry, District 4, Florida (103.86%)
Category IV Districts of 5,000 to 7,499 members: Eric Mayer, District 20, Texas (100.05%)
Category V Districts of 7,500 and more members: No winner
Two second-place winners will receive a $500 check:
Category I Districts of 15 to 1,499 members: Wanda Bernard, District 7, Puerto Rico (111.54%)
Category II Districts of 1,500 to 2,999 members: Angela Glover, District 14, Florida (104.50%)
- Dispatch