The Salvation Army Ushers in New Leadership as The DeMichaels Transition from Fairfield County’s Longest Leadership Tenure
May 6, 2025

LANCASTER, OHIO – The Salvation Army-Serving Lancaster and Fairfield County is welcoming new leadership, as current Corps Commanding Officers Majors Bryan and Laura DeMichael transfer to the Divisional Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. The DeMichaels’ 11-year tenure is the longest in Fairfield County’s 125-year history.

In these new roles, Majors Bryan and Laura will oversee the Southwest Ohio and Northeast Kentucky Division, which is comprised of 27 locations in both states. Major Bryan will assume the position of divisional secretary, while Major Laura will serve as the program secretary. Major Bryan’s initiatives include oversight of property, disaster services and men’s ministries. With the overlap of the Southwest Ohio territory under their appointment, the DeMichaels will still be involved in the capital campaign initiative for the new Corps Community Center in Lancaster.

“We have been honored to serve as the leaders of such a great Corps and to be a part of this wonderful community for more than a decade,” said The Salvation Army-Serving Lancaster and Fairfield County Majors Bryan and Laura DeMichael. “We have been blessed to share our professional and personal journeys with you and are truly thankful for the memories from this experience. We will remember our days in Fairfield County with great fondness and are excited to see the progress of the new Corps Community Center from afar.”

Central to The Salvation Army’s mission of service, commanding officers often move within their division to various locations throughout their years of service. Fairfield County was the fourth location for the DeMichaels, and within their allotted time, they grew and expanded programming to meet the rising demand of our county’s 19% who are living in poverty.

While thousands of Fairfield County residents experience the assistance of daily services from The Salvation Army, the DeMichaels envisioned an even bigger impact for the place they called home. This idea evolved into the current “Be Hope” capital campaign for a new Corps Community Center that not only doubles the organization’s reach and capacity but also provides additional programs and services for the specific needs of our community.

With these efforts in full swing, and the $8 million capital campaign goal more than halfway met, the DeMichaels are confident that newly appointed Captains Alex and Kelsey Senak will usher this into completion.

The Senak family brings prior leadership experience as Corps Commanding Officers, serving The Salvation Army in Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania, and Camden, New Jersey, divisions. The Senaks, a family of six, are returning to The Salvation Army service after three years working in marketing and sales roles in the private sector.

“We’re humbled to follow Majors Bryan and Laura as we continue our efforts to expand the ministry and presence of The Salvation Army in Fairfield County,” said Captain Alex Senak, incoming corps commanding officers for The Salvation Army-Serving Lancaster and Fairfield County. “We bring with us four amazing children and great momentum as we build upon this existing foundation laid before us.”

To learn more about their services, or to donate, call The Salvation Army office at 740-687-1921, or visit fcohio.salvationarmy.org.