Henry VanNess
May 2026 - Present

NATIONAL EOD ASSOCIATION TREASURER

Henry VanNess Bio
I grew up on the Family farm in Trumansburg, NY. I currently own the farm (5th generation) and reside.

I then attended a two year college for electrical and electronics and graduated in 1970.
I was drafted into the Army February 1971. After Basic Training at Ft. Dix, NJ I went to Ft. Sill. OK for artillery and then on to EOD school. After completion of EOD School in November 1971 I was assigned to the 43rd EOD detachment at Ft. Knox, KY where I completed my military commitment.

After the Army I returned to my job in the public schools in NY and then went on to a job and 25 year career at Cornell University in the Utilities Department. First, as an Energy Management and Controls Technician and then the Manager of Utility Plants with a $12-15 million budget. I retired in 2005 at 55 with a total of 38 years under a pension plan.

During the first, roughly 10 years, using the GI Bill and the employee benefits of Cornell, I earned a degree in Business Administration as well as credits in Engineering, Education and Law. In addition, I was a Town Justice after being elected on two occasions and completing the NYS Office of Court Administration Training.

I am past Treasurer and President of the Trumansburg Rotary Club. I am no longer a member of Rotary but stay engaged in community service.

Over the years I have remained in contact with Law Enforcement in various ways and have been involved with explosive hazard incidents. In addition, I serve on the Seneca Army Depot BRAC process advisory board

After my retirement and realizing it had been 50 years since I graduated from EOD School I asked the school if I could make a visit to which they accommodated. I have now visited several times and have volunteered at the EOD Warrior Foundation with the Memorial as well as other functions and attended several graduations. I have also helped with the EOD Heritage Museum and am supporting the Army Heritage Foundation in Carlisle, PA. I am a 55 year member of the American Legion and continue serving on the Honor Guard.

I continue to work on applications for nominations of former Army EOD Techs to the Army Ordinance Corps Hall of Fame for their contributions to EOD.

treasurer@nateoda.com

Matt Kuhns

NATIONAL EOD ASSOCIATION ADJUTANT/SECRETARY

August 2026 - Present

Professional Summary:
Colonel Matthew L. Kuhns
Deputy Director, Operational Environmental Management Directorate
Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment)
Colonel Matt Kuhns commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps following his graduation from Iowa State University in August 1998, earning a Bachelor of Communications degree. Upon completion of the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, he began his career as a Platoon Leader and Direct Support Maintenance Shop Officer with B Company, 172nd Support Battalion, followed by assignments as Material Readiness Officer and Deputy Chief of the Brigade Materiel Management Center, HHC, 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate), Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
In 2003, COL Kuhns assumed command of the 705th Ordnance Company (EOD) at Fort Polk, Louisiana, deploying to Mosul, Iraq. He subsequently served as Assistant S3 Operations Officer, 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), Fort Carson, Colorado, and as Response Team Leader and Training Officer for the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (CEXC) in Baghdad, Iraq. During this time, he also served as Liaison Officer from Combined Joint Task Force Troy (Counter-IED) to Multi-National Corps Iraq (MNC-I) Counter-IED Intelligence Operations Center.
Next, COL Kuhns served as Officer-in-Charge of the Engineer Explosive Ordnance Clearance Agent Course (E-EOCA) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later as S3 Operations Officer for the 3D Ordnance Battalion (EOD) at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. He deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as J3 Operations Officer for Joint Task Force Paladin South (C-IED). He then served as C-IED Program Integrator, Branch Chief, and Deputy Division Chief at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) in Washington, D.C. While assigned to JIEDDO, COL Kuhns deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In 2017, COL Kuhns assumed command of Task Force EOD in Bagram, Afghanistan, followed by command of the 192D Ordnance Battalion (EOD) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He later served as Branch Chief for the Force Protection Branch, HQDA DCS, G-8, and Chief of the Washington Liaison Office for U.S. Strategic Command in Washington, D.C. COL Kuhns then assumed command of the 52D Ordnance Group (EOD) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky before assuming the Chief, HQDA DCS, G-9 Strategic Initiatives Group in Washington, D.C. COL Kuhns currently serves as the Deputy Director, Operational Environmental Management Directorate within Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health (ESOH) within the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment).
COL Kuhns’ military education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Service Staff School, U.S. Navy School Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Command and General Staff College, National Defense University, and the U.S. Army War College. He holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master of Management and Leadership from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Communications from Iowa State University.
His awards and decorations are commensurate with years of military service and multiple combat deployments.
COL Kuhns is married to Christine, and they have three adult children.

adjutant@nateoda.com