On Saturday afternoon at Conclave, Arrowmen of Section E17 gathered for the annual Section Business Meeting to elect their new officers. This annual business meeting resulted in the election of three new officers: Victor as Section Chief, Martin as Vice Chief, and Daniel as Secretary. In addition to this,, the transition of Section Adviser from Mr. Wayne Hampton to Mr. Todd Columbia occurred, as well as the transition of Training Adviser from Mr. Michael Shostek to Past Section Vice Chief, Rich D’Allassandro. We thank Wayne and Michael for their years of service and support to the Arrowmen of Section E17, and we deeply appreciate all they have done.
Leading the new team is Section Chief, Victor, who was elected by the Arrowmen of Section E17 to guide us forward into the coming year. Victor comes from Yokahú Lodge down in Puerto Rico, where he recently served as Lodge Chief, and outside of Scouting, he attends university, pursuing a degree in Political Science. Victor believes in the power of youth leadership and is committed to building a section where every lodge thrives through service, leadership, and fellowship. His vision is a section where lodges grow stronger, where young leaders are equipped with the tools to succeed, and where together we create opportunities that inspire and uplift our members, because “without Lodges, there is no Section.”
Elected alongside Victor was Martin, now serving as Section Vice Chief and ready to bring his energy and ideas to the leadership team. Martin also serves as the 2025 Lodge Chief of Unami Lodge, One and has previously served as First Vice Chief and in several chair positions. Outside of Scouting, Martin plans on joining the Philadelphia Fire Department after high school. Martin’s vision for the section is to create a more elevated OA experience and a transformative fellowship through stronger interconnectivity. Martin wants the training committee to be geared on sharing experiences and knowledge from lodge to lodge, and to create a more effective program element by leaders having the groundwork to go off of.
Completing the team of youth officers is Daniel, our newly elected Section Secretary, who will keep the section informed and connected throughout the year. Along with serving as Section Secretary, Daniel is also serving as the 2025-2026 Lodge Chief of Lenape Lodge. Daniel’s passion for serving the Order of the Arrow has led him to take on many lodge positions over the years. Outside of scouting, Daniel is a high school senior and plans to study neuroscience in college after graduation. Daniel has one solid vision for the section, and for the communications team: a section where Arrowmen are actively involved in its success, and can stay fully up to date with new and engaging information. Daniel truly wants to help to support our lodges in providing arrowmen with a quality experience. “In all the things we do, we must make sure that we are strategic in keeping arrowmen engaged and excited.”
Stepping into the role of Section Adviser is Todd Columbia, who will guide and mentor the youth officers as they lead Section E17. Todd comes from Woapalanne Lodge and Patriots Path Council, where he serves as a Committee Chair of a Sea Scout Ship. Outside of Scouting, Todd serves as Chief Operating Officer of Delta Millennium Inc., a consumer services company, where he has been for the last 25 years. Todd’s vision for supporting youth is twofold–to help successfully execute the vision of the section officers over the next several years, and to prepare the section for its next generation of leaders. He looks forward to the next few years of serving as section adviser, supporting the youth leaders of Section E17, and successful conclaves for the next several years. Todd truly strives for “the section to be the best for the youth.”
Also joining the team as the Section Training Adviser, Rich D’Allassandro. Rich is a past lodge chief of Jappechen Lodge and a past Section E17 Vice Chief, serving two terms from 2022-2024. Rich has a passion for education and training, which drives him to serve on the National Training Committee as a Committee Chair, helping to modernize and republish a Section Training Program. Outside of Scouting, Rich is a senior at the College of New Jersey where he is studying Music Education.
Again, we thank the past section team for all they have done, and all of the leadership and support they have given whether it’s been for the past year or for several. As we look forward, we plan to have an amazing year, culminating in a landmark conclave at Forestburg Scout Reservation, where we will celebrate America’s 250th Birthday Bash!