On the Road to the Presidency: with Vickie Koutz

​Story and Photos by Tim Sproles

​It’s been 30 years since an Indiana Auxiliary member has served as National President of The American Legion Auxiliary, but we could see a Hoosier take the reins very soon.

Vickie Koutz of Boonville Unit 200 has a history of leadership in the Auxiliary.

She is a 45-year member who has served in various positions at her Unit, District and Department levels, culminating in Vickie serving as Department President from 2006-07.

Shortly after Vickie completed her year as Department President, the National organization came calling.

Vickie said, “I received a call asking if I would like to chair the Auxiliary Emergency Fund. I had never dreamed that I would be asked to chair at a National level. It wasn’t an aspiration because I never thought I would have the opportunity, so I immediately said yes.”

Vickie’s eligibility in the Auxiliary is through her husband, Jim Koutz, who also happens to be a Past National Commander of The American Legion (2012-2013). If elected President of the Auxiliary, this would make Jim and Vickie Koutz only the second husband/wife team to hold both offices of the National President and National Commander.

The only other married couple to serve as both National President/Commander is PNP Sharon Conatser (2015-2016) and PNC Martin F. Conatser (2007-2008).

Vickie says that she is not only honored by the opportunity to serve at a National level, but also honored to work with the wonderful woman currently in place.

“Auxiliary National President, Kathy Dungan appointed me as the Children and Youth chairman for her command year and I couldn’t be more grateful. I really appreciate her faith in me to take on this chair and I can’t express in words how much I value her friendship.”

Vickie has said that she is extremely excited for the opportunity to work with fellow candidates.

She said, “I am really enjoying working with Nicole Clapp and Kathy Daudistel. To have the next three candidates for national President working together and staying on the same page is extremely valuable for this organization.”

Nicole Clapp with be National President for the 2019-2020 year with Kathy Serving as National Vice President. When Kathy takes over as President in 2020-2021, Vickie Koutz will serve as her National Vice President and so on.

Vickie is a Paid Up for Life member of Boonville Unit 200. Her resume of service and accomplishments on behalf of the American Legion Auxiliary is long and varied. She has served her Unit, the 8th District and the Department of Indiana for the past 45 years. She has held numerous positions on all levels with the ALA as well as serving as Unit, District and Department President. She is currently serving as the American Legion Auxiliary's National Children and Youth Committee Chairman.
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For information on how you can help Vickie Koutz on her road to the Auxiliary Presidency though donations and volunteering, contact Lisa Liford at purses4lisa1415@gmail.com.

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