District commanders from Florida, North Carolina and Utah earn first place in their respective category for the Race to the Top competition.
The American Legion's Race to the Top competition recognizes district commanders in five membership categories who attain at least 100 percent of the district's assigned membership goal by March 31. For the 2019-2020 membership year, five district commanders from three departments earned first place in their respective category.
The Race to the Top winners are:
Category I (districts of 15-1,499 members) – Steven A. Anderson of Utah
Category II (districts of 1,500-2,999 members) – Jack "JD" Baker of North Carolina
Category III (districts of 3,000-4,999 members) – Devell "Bo" Durham of North Carolina
Category IV (districts of 5,000-7,499 members) – Bruce Carl of Florida
Category V (districts of 7,500 or more members) – Robert G. Suelter of Florida
Winners of the award receive a polo shirt, cap with special designation writing on it, a shadowbox and a trip to the annual national convention for recognition on the convention stage. Due to the 2020 National Convention in Louisville, Ky., being canceled because of health and safety reasons concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, the Race to the Top recipients will have the opportunity to choose between a financial stipend or a trip to the 2021 National Convention in Phoenix. If a recipient chooses travel to next year's national convention, they will be recognized on stage.
- Membership