AUSTIN, Texas – (Sept. 23, 2025) – By authority of Department Commander Richard Huntley, department commissions and committees met at the Austin SouthPark Hotel for the Department Executive Committee Conference Sept. 17–21.

Ten commissions and committees of the department were represented, which included Legion Baseball; Americanism; Training; Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation; Budget and Finance; Marketing, Media & Communications; Membership, Organization & Post Activities; Long Range Planning; Board of Trustees; and the Texas American Legion Development Foundation.

During the convention, members attended training on numerous topics to include the Department Administrative Manual by Department Adjutant Bill West, Post History Contest update by Department Historian Shirley Platt, and MyLegion.org by Past Department Vice Commander Danny Muth.

On Sept. 21, the Fall DEC Meeting was convened by Huntley with visits from Department Auxiliary President Leigh-Anne Stewart and Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander Ken Dorsett.

Various reports from chairpersons of commissions and committees were delivered for consideration, to include resolutions. Additionally, division and district leaders were recognized for membership excellence.
According to Huntley, regular DEC meetings are essential for effective governance and strategic planning to ensure the mission of The American Legion is fulfilled.

In between presentations of reports, the convention hall was darkened to mirror one of the working conditions that hired department staff had to endure at department headquarters during the summer due to electrical issues with the headquarters building.

The Fall DEC Convention will no longer be held at the Austin SouthPark Hotel. For 2026, department conventions will be held at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.