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| James Casey |
Department of New York Commander Kenneth Governor announced the appointment of James W. Casey of Malverne, NY, to succeed Adjutant Richard M. Pedro, who retired after the recent 95th Department Convention held in Niagara Falls.
As adjutant, Casey will serve as the chief administrative officer, working out of Department Headquarters in Albany.
Governor noted that Pedro, a World War II veteran, served as New York's adjutant for 29 years and was "so beloved and esteemed as a leader and as a Legionnaire that he was named an honorary past national commander" at 2012 National Convention. "Mr. Pedro set the example for all other adjutants and leaders."
Casey comes to the position as an experienced leader and administrator himself, Governor said. A past Department commander, Casey "served in leadership positions on every level of the organization and has received numerous accolades." In fact, the recent Department Convention honored him with the American Legion Meritorious Service Award for disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. A member of Daniel M. O'Connell Post 272 in Rockaway Beach, Casey served in numerous roles on the county, district and Department levels. He chairs the National Commander's Visitation Dinner for the 1st, 2nd, 9th and 10th Districts, and he chairs the New York City American Legion (NYCAL) Committee, a group of Legionnaires from five counties working to find solutions to problems in New York City. On the national level, he is vice chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee.
Casey grew up in Rockaway Beach, and at the age of 18, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969. Upon his return from the Navy four years later, he met his wife, Paulette Hurley, an Irish immigrant from Cork City. They have been married for 35 years and have a daughter and two sons. Casey is retired from the Long Island Railroad where he worked as a signal inspector for 28 years.
