The national chief, vice chief, and region chiefs are Arrowmen elected to one-year terms by their fellow section chiefs during the National Planning Meeting (NPM). Serving as members of the National Order of the Arrow Committee, they vocalize the opinion of all youth Arrowmen on national OA policy. They also serve as the presiding officers for national OA events; advised in their responsibilities by the national chairman and the national director, a national professional Scouter.
Samuel Crowder
National Chief
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Samuel Crowder - National Chief
Samuel is from Cape Fear Council and Klahican Lodge in North Carolina. Before being elected national chief, Sam served as lodge chief, section chief for Section E8, Activities & Recreation CVC at NOAC 2024, and as a National Leadership Seminar staff member. He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member, and recipient of the Founder’s Award. Sam attended NOAC in 2022 and 2024, the National Leadership Seminar, and 2023 National Jamboree. He currently attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studies business. Outside of Scouting, Sam likes to stay “physically strong” by going on jogs and playing basketball.
As Sam steps into the next chapter of his leadership journey, he expresses his excitement for the opportunities the new year will bring:
“I am most excited about the opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with lodge chiefs and leaders and work to understand the challenges they are facing and work to empower them to tackle those challenges and find personal success.”
Ben Jones
National Vice Chief
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Ben Jones - National Vice Chief
Ben is from W.D. Boyce Council and Wenasa Quenhotan Lodge in Illinois. Before being elected as national vice chief, Ben served as a two-term lodge vice chief, NOAC Adventure Central CVC, and section chief for Section G8. He is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member. Prior to his election, Ben attended the 2023 National Jamboree and NOAC 2024. He is currently a high school senior and hopes to pursue a degree in political science. You can often find Ben rooting for the Florida State Seminoles football team, but his favorite sport to play is lacrosse.
Looking ahead to 2025, Ben is determined to make a lasting impact in the year ahead:
“This year is focused on growth, transparency and realigning toward a bold future. Our renewed mission, vision and purpose equip us to transform countless lives for the better, and I am fully confident that we are prepared to meet this challenge.”
Elijah Aiken
Eastern Region Chief
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Elijah Aiken - Eastern Region Chief
Elijah is from Blue Ridge Council and Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge in South Carolina. Before being elected Eastern Region Chief, Elijah served as lodge chief, section vice chief, section chief for Section E7, and as a National Leadership Seminar staff member. As a Scout, he attended NOAC in 2022 and 2024, and the National Leadership Seminar. He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member, and recipient of the Founder’s Award. Elijah is studying secondary education at Anderson University in South Carolina, where he plays volleyball.
Elijah is driven by bold aspirations as a national officer:
“My purpose is to ensure that every Arrowman knows they are a valued and important member of our organization, reminding them that they are an essential piece of the OA’s puzzle. Ultimately, I am committed to investing in the leaders of tomorrow, just as so many invested in me.”
Haley Flores
Gateway Region Chief
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Haley Flores - Gateway Region Chief
Haley is from Heart of America Council and Tamegonit Lodge in Kansas. Before being elected Gateway Region Chief, Haley served as chapter chief, section secretary, and section chief for Section G6. She is an Eagle Scout and Vigil Honor member. Throughout her Scouting journey, she has attended NOAC 2024, the National Leadership Seminar, and took part in Operation Arrow at the 2023 National Jamboree. One of her most fulfilling Scouting moments was serving on the National Youth Council. Haley is a freshman at Ottawa University in Kansas, studying politics, philosophy, and law. After university, she hopes to enlist in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Haley’s favorite high adventure base is probably Sea Base as she is certified in scuba diving.
As Gateway Region Chief, Haley approaches 2025 with a strong sense of purpose and anticipation:
“What fuels me as a leader is my desire to love others with intention. Whether it’s taking a minute to check in on a friend, encouraging someone to step up in leadership or remembering details from event interactions, I firmly believe that intentionality behind our admonition is how we show others the love of our organization.”
Chris A. Grove, M.D.
National OA Committee Chairman
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Chris A. Grove, M.D. - National Committee Chairman
Chris was inducted to Miami Lodge in Dayton, Ohio in 1982. He earned his Eagle Scout at age 14 and kept his Vigil in 1988. He lives in Ormond Beach, Florida where he practices General Surgery at AdventHealth. Chris has been married to his wife Becky since 2005, and is a father to his daughter Abby and his Tenderfoot Scout son Ben.
Chris began his service to the Order of the Arrow as a chapter chief, and then went on to become a lodge vice chief, lodge chief, and lodge adviser all in Miami Lodge. He has been an associate section adviser and section adviser before serving as the Central Region Chairman from 2007-2012. He subsequently has served on the National OA Committee as a vice chairman. In recognition of his extensive service to Scouting, Chris has been honored with the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, OA Founders Award, OA Centurion Award, National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, and the OA Distinguished Service Award (DSA).
During his tenure as Order of the Arrow Chairman, Chris looks forward to engaging with youth and adults from across the country to take on the challenges facing our Order today. He plans to guide the OA through the transition that Scouting America is making to its structure, governance, and finances. At such a critical transition point in OA history, Chris is eager to empower youth leaders across the country and make the Order of the Arrow the best organization it can be.
Cortland Bolles
National OA Director
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Cortland Bolles - National Director
Cortland Bolles has been a professional Scouter for 21 years serving councils in Kansas City, Missouri; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Most recently, he has served as the Director of Field Service for Three Harbors Council located in Milwaukee. He has served as a Lodge Chief, a Trail Crew Director, and a Lodge Staff Adviser. He is also a recipient of the Founder’s Award and Distinguished Service Award.
Brea Baygents
Associate National OA Director
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Brea Baygents - Associate National OA Director
Brea's journey began in the Venturing program, where she immersed herself in leadership development through experiences like NYLT, NAYLE, and summer camp staff duties. Coming from the Longhorn Council, where she served as a District Director, Brea brings a deep-rooted understanding of community and service. Despite her love for travel, Texas has always been her home. Beyond her professional endeavors, Brea finds joy in outdoor adventures, indulging in Disney classics, and cherishing moments with her closest friends. Her college years at the University of Texas at Dallas were marked by her active engagement with Alpha Phi Omega, the college Scouting service organization, where she seamlessly blended her passion for leadership with a commitment to service.
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David Gosik
National Chief
David is from Tidewater Council and Blue Heron Lodge in Virginia. Before becoming the national chief, David was a lodge chief, chapter chief, conclave vice chief, section vice chief and section chief for Section E9. He is an Eagle Scout, Vigil Honor member and recipient of the Founder’s Award and James E. West Award. David attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in 2018 and 2022, the National Leadership Seminar, and was a part of Operation Arrow in 2023. He currently attends the University of Virginia, studying history. David’s favorite pastimes include working on his car, spending time with friends and trying new restaurants.
As national chief, David is optimistic about the new year:
“2024 will support personal connections between Arrowmen. With a National Order of the Arrow Conference, eleven NLS courses, including Japan and Puerto Rico, and 43 section conclaves, the Order of the Arrow will be a forum in which lifelong friendships are created.”
National Order of the Arrow Committee
The National Committee is a group of youth and adults tasked with running the Order of the Arrow. Committee members put in countless hours of service every year to make the OA's programs possible.