About Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Established on 8 January 1957 as a chapter of the national Association of the United States Army (AUSA), we are Southwest Oklahoma’s Superpower for Soldiers—a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association composed of members of the military (all ranks, active, National Guard/Reserves, retirees), corporate executives, community leaders and other civilians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Message from the President

 

 

 

What an honor to be asked to serve as President of AUSA FIRES Chapter!

 

 

 

James Taylor was raised on a family cattle ranch in Southwest Oklahoma; graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and matriculating graduate work from Kansas State University in Psychology.  Following his teaching school and coaching sports, Taylor served in the U.S. Navy transitioning with more than 20 years of service as a decorated Veteran (O-6 / CAPT). Assignments included leadership assignments aboard ships, submarines and aircraft carriers; shore duty and joint combined assignments in the U.S. and overseas, and two joint duty staff assignments with U.S. Central Command and U.S. Strategic Command. His military, civilian and government experience in the US and overseas provided him with a wealth of corporate, government organizational knowledge, diverse cultural & human resource exchanges and successful business-to-business opportunities. Taylor worked in corporate, academia and private business industry before becoming a federally-trained Veterans Representative and Program Manager with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. He served as the Program Manager for America’s Jobs Center / Oklahoma Works Workforce Office in Lawton. In 2018, Taylor began his current position as a Small Business Management Coordinator at Great Plains Technology Center in Lawton. He currently serves on local and state boards and committees including Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, USO Oklahoma, and President, FIRES Chapter – Association of the U.S. Army.

 

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/james-taylor/5/49/396 

 

 

 

Serving with the FIRES Chapter has given me an incredible opportunity to give back to those Soldiers and their families who serve our nation. 

 

We have the distinct honor in supporting two of the Futures Command's Cross Functional Teams on Fort Sill - Long Range Precision Fires and Air Defense Artillery. Both missions are vitally important to our Post, this community and our nation as we seek to provide coordinated support and connections to our leadership in the Oklahoma legislature and Washington DC. I strongly believe the Lawton community standing alongside Fort Sill will continue to positively impact the DOD’s decision to not only keep Fort Sill stable but to grow its troop strength!  AUSA and the FIRES Chapter play a significant role in keeping our community informed, engaged and supportive of Fort Sill’s vital missions. 

 

It is my pleasure to lead the FIRES chapter comprised of corporate and individual members who strongly back our Army families by being their voice within our community, state and nation.  My personal belief is that to whom much is given, much is required.  Being a 29-year Veteran has instilled in me a strong desire to be part of a greater purpose—to take a stand on behalf of our Soldiers when they cannot speak for themselves. 

 

The AUSA FIRES Chapter gives us all an opportunity to champion our Soldiers and their families. Join me and help spread the word about the value of AUSA.  Membership costs are minimal.  The return on your investment to the Lawton-Fort Sill community is priceless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Taylor
President, AUSA Fires Chapter