Kent State University

Cadre & Staff

The Army ROTC program is only as strong as its instructors. That's why we provide such highly qualified faculty and staff for cadets. See the kind of varied and interesting experiences instructors have had that make them the best ROTC faculty and staff.

LTC Dean Costas
Professor of Military Science
MS IV Instructor, Scholarship
Board President
Phone: 330-672-2769
Email: dcostas_rotc@kent.edu

LTC Dean Costas is a career Army officer with over 19 years of service in Infantry and Chemical units. He holds
a Bachelor of Arts from The Citadel and a Master of Public Administration from Jacksonville State University.
LTC Costas' most recent assignments have been in the area of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear consequences management and operations.

LTC Joe Paydock
Professor of Military Science
Admissions Officer, MS II Instructor
Phone: 330-672-8209
Email: jpaydock@kent.edu

LTC Joe Paydock is a graduate of the University of Toledo. A branch-qualified Armor Officer, LTC Paydock's duties include coordinating scholarships and being the subject matter expert in recruiting operations. He is also the primary adviser for Kent State Army ROTC. His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal.

MAJ Patrick "Rick" Williams
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Executive Officer, Logistics Officer
Phone: 330-672-8205
Email: pwilliams@kent.edu

MAJ Williams is an Ohio National Guard active duty officer in the Transportation branch. During his career, he has served in various positions as a Military Police, Ordnance and Transportation Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University and is currently working on his MBA. He manages the staff for the Professor of Military Science and also serves as the liaison between ROTC and the Reserve Components.

CPT Jeff Lakner
Assistant Professor of Military Science
S3 Officer, MSII Instructor
Phone: 330-672-8201
Email: jlakner@kent.edu

MSG Wesley Gilmore
Senior Military Instructor
Phone: 330-672-8208
Email: wgilmore@kent.edu

MSG Wesley Gilmore is a seasoned Artilleryman who has served in positions ranging from Cannon Crewman to Regimental Operations Sergeant. MSG Gilmore has also performed the esteemed duties of 1SG and Drill Sergeant. With two combat tours in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, MSG Gilmore brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Kent State Golden Eagle Battalion. Some of his decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (10th award), Army Achievement Medal (12th award) and the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award). MSG Gilmore is the Senior Military Instructor (SMI) and instructs all MS I level classes.

SFC Ricky Hanson
Military Science Instructor
MS III Instructor
Phone: 330-672-8206
Email: rhanson3@kent.edu

Mr. David Claar
Supply Technician
Phone: 330-672-8210

Mrs. Elaine Lafferre
Administrative Technician
Phone: 330-672-8207

Mrs. Georgia Gallagher
Senior Secretary
Phone: 330-672-8211

Ms. Barb Feyesh
Human Resource Assistant
Phone: 330-8204

For more information:
Kent State University
Department of Military Science
106 Terrace Hall
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
(330) 672-ARMY (2769)


		Cadre & Staff The Army ROTC program is only as strong as its instructors. That's why we provide such highly qualified faculty and staff for cadets. See the kind of varied and interesting experiences instructors have had that make them the best ROTC faculty and staff. LTC Dean Costas Professor of Military Science MS IV Instructor, Scholarship Board President Phone: 330-672-2769 Email: dcostas_rotc@kent.edu LTC Dean Costas is a career Army officer with over 19 years of service in Infantry and Chemical units. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from The Citadel and a Master of Public Administration from Jacksonville State University. LTC Costas' most recent assignments have been in the area of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear consequences management and operations. LTC Joe Paydock Professor of Military Science Admissions Officer, MS II Instructor Phone: 330-672-8209 Email: jpaydock@kent.edu LTC Joe Paydock is a graduate of the University of Toledo. A branch-qualified Armor Officer, LTC Paydock's duties include coordinating scholarships and being the subject matter expert in recruiting operations. He is also the primary adviser for Kent State Army ROTC. His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal. MAJ Patrick "Rick" Williams Assistant Professor of Military Science Executive Officer, Logistics Officer Phone: 330-672-8205 Email: pwilliams@kent.edu MAJ Williams is an Ohio National Guard active duty officer in the Transportation branch. During his career, he has served in various positions as a Military Police, Ordnance and Transportation Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University and is currently working on his MBA. He manages the staff for the Professor of Military Science and also serves as the liaison between ROTC and the Reserve Components. CPT Jeff Lakner Assistant Professor of Military Science S3 Officer, MSII Instructor Phone: 330-672-8201 Email: jlakner@kent.edu MSG Wesley Gilmore Senior Military Instructor Phone: 330-672-8208 Email: wgilmore@kent.edu MSG Wesley Gilmore is a seasoned Artilleryman who has served in positions ranging from Cannon Crewman to Regimental Operations Sergeant. MSG Gilmore has also performed the esteemed duties of 1SG and Drill Sergeant. With two combat tours in Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, MSG Gilmore brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Kent State Golden Eagle Battalion. Some of his decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (10th award), Army Achievement Medal (12th award) and the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award). MSG Gilmore is the Senior Military Instructor (SMI) and instructs all MS I level classes. SFC Ricky Hanson Military Science Instructor MS III Instructor Phone: 330-672-8206 Email: rhanson3@kent.edu Mr. David Claar Supply Technician Phone: 330-672-8210 Mrs. Elaine Lafferre Administrative Technician Phone: 330-672-8207 Mrs. Georgia Gallagher Senior Secretary Phone: 330-672-8211 Ms. Barb Feyesh Human Resource Assistant Phone: 330-8204 For more information: Kent State University Department of Military Science 106 Terrace Hall PO Box 5190 Kent, OH 44242-0001 (330) 672-ARMY (2769)