We recently took the opportunity to chat with and get to know our region chief and chairman a little bit more. Elijah Aiken is the 2025 Eastern Region Chief. A Vigil Honor member of Atta Kulla Kulla Lodge and Section E7, Elijah is an Eagle Scout from Liberty, South Carolina and is a freshman at Anderson University. Brad Schmidt is the 2025 Eastern Region Chairman. A Vigil Honor member of O-Shot-Caw Lodge and Section E5, Brad is an Eagle Scout from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Elijah Aiken — 2025 Eastern Region Chief
- On the rare weekend you are not engaged in a Scouting activity, what are you doing?
- On the rare occasion when I am home for the weekend I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend Sydney and my immediate family. Playing in volleyball tournaments with my school's club team or grass tournaments with some buddies from back home but most importantly I love attending and serving at my local Church. My faith is the most important thing in my life and it has remained a priority during my term.
- On the rare occasion when I am home for the weekend I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend Sydney and my immediate family. Playing in volleyball tournaments with my school's club team or grass tournaments with some buddies from back home but most importantly I love attending and serving at my local Church. My faith is the most important thing in my life and it has remained a priority during my term.
- What do you think is the biggest strength of the Eastern Region?
- The greatest thing that Scouting can offer us is lifelong relationships. The Eastern Region is comprised of the most outstanding youth leaders and individuals, many of whom I consider some of my closest friends. The trust, loyalty, and brotherhood that we display with one another allows us to thrive in our identity and build impactful relationships that last a lifetime.
- The greatest thing that Scouting can offer us is lifelong relationships. The Eastern Region is comprised of the most outstanding youth leaders and individuals, many of whom I consider some of my closest friends. The trust, loyalty, and brotherhood that we display with one another allows us to thrive in our identity and build impactful relationships that last a lifetime.
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far from your OA experience?
- “Failure” is inevitable. As a leader I’ve learned that these hiccups or bumps in the road don’t define me as a person, the way I respond to tough challenges does. It isn’t about perfection; it’s about getting up each and every day and moving forward.
- “Failure” is inevitable. As a leader I’ve learned that these hiccups or bumps in the road don’t define me as a person, the way I respond to tough challenges does. It isn’t about perfection; it’s about getting up each and every day and moving forward.
- What’s one thing you think all Arrowmen should experience at least once?
- National Leadership Seminar (NLS): it is the single most formative experience our organization offers. It takes unsure and timid Arrowmen and turns them into qualified and impactful leaders that are ready to tackle tough challenges and thrive. Without NLS I don’t know where I would be today.
- National Leadership Seminar (NLS): it is the single most formative experience our organization offers. It takes unsure and timid Arrowmen and turns them into qualified and impactful leaders that are ready to tackle tough challenges and thrive. Without NLS I don’t know where I would be today.
- What’s one small change that could have a big “butterfly effect” impact in the region?
- Intentionality: whether it’s learning a name, reaching out to a new member after their induction, or just remembering a familiar face—being intentional goes a long way. Everyone wants to be seen by someone, no matter your age or experience it always feels good to be recognized by someone.
Brad Schmidt — 2025 Eastern Region Chairman
- On the rare weekend you are not engaged in a Scouting activity, what are you doing?
- When I’m not Scouting, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and daughter. We spend quite a bit of time outside at our neighborhood parks and at our local wildlife sanctuary as our daughter enjoys running, playing, and seeing the animals. I also enjoy traveling to new places with our family.
- When I’m not Scouting, I enjoy spending quality time with my wife and daughter. We spend quite a bit of time outside at our neighborhood parks and at our local wildlife sanctuary as our daughter enjoys running, playing, and seeing the animals. I also enjoy traveling to new places with our family.
- Favorite memory so far in your Scouting journey?
- One of my favorite memories in Scouting was attending my first National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at Iowa State University in 2004. My experience at NOAC as a newer OA member catapulted my interest and left a positive impact on me. I had an opportunity to forge the beginning of many lifelong friendships.
- One of my favorite memories in Scouting was attending my first National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) at Iowa State University in 2004. My experience at NOAC as a newer OA member catapulted my interest and left a positive impact on me. I had an opportunity to forge the beginning of many lifelong friendships.
- What do you think is the biggest strength of the Eastern Region?
- The youth leaders and advisers across the Eastern Region are certainly one of our biggest strengths. Having the opportunity to support these outstanding Arrowmen is an honor, and I will continue to ensure I provide our youth leaders with positive and supportive mentorship.
- The youth leaders and advisers across the Eastern Region are certainly one of our biggest strengths. Having the opportunity to support these outstanding Arrowmen is an honor, and I will continue to ensure I provide our youth leaders with positive and supportive mentorship.
- What is your favorite patch that you own?
- My favorite patch is the lodge flap I was given when I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. It was presented to me by the lodge chief at the time and little did I know at that moment how impactful the Order of the Arrow would be in my life.