Deborah A. Ashenhurst served in the Ohio National Guard for 37 years and now holds a position in the Cabinet of Governor Mike DeWine as the director of the Department Veterans Services. In January 2019, Ashenhurst was appointed as the first female director of the Ohio Department of Veteran Services, which supplies benefits and resources for Ohio's past service members.
Personal life Ashenhurst grew up in Springfield, Ohio, and Columbus, Ohio, and is now married to James Ashenhurst, who is a retired Army colonel.
Career in National Guard Ashenhurst first enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in 1978 and has served on 20 different assignments during her service. In 1980 she was commissioned as an Engineer Officer through the Ohio Army Guard's Officer Candidate School. She then served as a reconnaissance officer with the 54th support center. Ashenhurst commanded and held staff officer assignments from battalion, company, brigade, and Joint Force Headquarters. More recent assignments include the commanding general, 73rd Troop Command, commander, 237th personnel Services Battalion, and director, Property and Fiscal Operations, United States Property and Fiscal Office for Ohio. One of her more notable assignments was leading the 73rd Troop Command as a commander. This squad is one of two in the Homeland Response Force, which are trained to respond to any CBRNE incidents east of the Mississippi River. After leading the 73rd Troop Command she was appointed to the role of the first female Adjutant General by Governor John Kasich for the state of Ohio in 2011, and subsequently promoted to the rank of brigadier general. The move was approved by the 133rd General Assembly of the Ohio Legislature. In September 2012, General Ashenhurst was promoted to the rank of major general. After retiring from her role as adjutant general in 2015, General Ashenhurst took on a new position as special assistant to the vice chief in Washington D.C. for the National Guard Bureau. She served under Joseph L. Lengyel, who was the vice chief at the time. Ashenhurst visited Serbia as part of the ongoing National Guard State Partnership Program promoting and coordinating activities between Serbia and Ohio. The United States is rated as one of the most successful cooperation programs of a total of 62 programs. There are 28 members of the ONG specialists with the members of the defense system and the Serbian Interior Ministry. Ashenhurst promoted the first generation of women officers in Serbia with her relations of being the first women to command the Ohio National Guard.
Education In 1994, Ashenhurst received a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in sociology from Regents College (now Excelsior University), part of the University of the State of New York system. Her professional military education includes completion of the Engineer Officer Basic Course and Medical Officer Advanced Course. She also graduated from the Military Personnel Officer Course. Ashenhurst completed the Command and General Staff College program by distance learning. In 1995, she completed the Air War College course via distance learning, and in 1999 she completed the Army War College program, also by distance learning. She also graduated from the Adjutant General Corps Pre-Command Course and Joint Task Force Commander Training Course.
Assignments Promotions
Insignia Rank Date of rank Second Lieutenant 6 July 1980 First Lieutenant 5 July 1983 Captain 25 July 1985 Major 24 August 1989 Lieutenant Colonel 16 March 1995 Colonel 20 October 2000 Brigadier General 10 January 2011 Major General 22 September 2012
Officer assigntments +Effective Dates of ServiceRoleUnitJuly 1980 – September 1981Reconnaissance Officer54th Support CenterSeptember 1981 – December 1983Inactive ReserveUS Army Reserve Control GroupDecember 1983 – August 1984InstructorOhio Military AcademyAugust 1984 – December 1986Adjutant112th Medical BrigadeDecember 1986 – April 1989Executive Officer684th Medical CompanyApril 1989 – December 1989Finance & Accounting OfficerHeadquarters, State Regional CommandDecember 1989 – March 1990Adjutant112th Medical BrigadeMarch 1990 – December 1992Commander237th Forward Support BattalionDecember 1992 – October 1994Executive OfficerOctober 1994 – September 1997Commander237th Personnel Service BattalionSeptember 1997 – August 2000Executive officer73rd Troop CommandAugust 2000 – October 2003Director of Installation ResourcesHeadquarters, State Regional CommandOctober 2003 – June 2004Deputy Commander73rd Troop CommandJune 2004 – April 2005Acting CommanderApril 2005 – June 2007Deputy CommanderJune 2007 – June 2009DirectorJ8June 2009 – April 2010Deputy Commander73rd Troop CommandApril 2010 – January 2011CommanderJanuary 2011 – January 2015Adjutant GeneralOhio National GuardJanuary 2015 – January 2016Special Assistant to the Vice ChiefNational Guard Bureau
Career in the private sector Between her time serving in the United States National Guard and her career in public service, Ashenhurst worked at R2 Associates. She was the senior vice president of Military Strategy during her time there.
Career in public service On January 14, 2019, Ashenhurst was appointed as director of Ohio Department of Veterans Services by Governor Mike DeWine. As director she is responsible for leading the agency which provides benefits to Ohio veterans.
Awards and decorations U.S. military DecorationsDistinguished Service MedalLegion of MeritMeritorious Service Medal (with 1 Silver & 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)Joint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)Joint Service Achievement MedalArmy Achievement MedalArmy Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver & 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)Global War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with 1 Gold Hourglass)Army Service RibbonReserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (with Bronze Number 5)National Guard awardsOhio Distinguished Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)Ohio Commendation MedalOhio Faithful Service Ribbon (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)Ohio Special Service RibbonOhio Basic Training RibbonMississippi Emergency Service Medal
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