By Staff
Christopher Macon, a 1965 Dowagiac Union High School graduate, Jan. 1 was promoted to captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves.
His current reserve assignment is with the U.S. European Command - Joint Analysis Center 0592 as special project analyst.
Capt. Macon, son of Wyndell and the late Mollie Macon, affiliated with the reserve program in 1976. His sister, Minnie Warren, is a Cass County commissioner.
He served as XO of the USS Pharris FFT 1094.
He attended the Reserve Officer Supply program for two years.
Capt. Macon joined the intelligence community in 1986.
He has served in a number of assignments, including Executive Officer, Analyst, QC Analyst, Production Officer, Training Officer and Special Assignments.
Capt. Macon also served as Commanding Officer for the decommissioned Southcom Unit 0393.
Capt. Macon was prior enlisted. He completed his boot camp training in Great Lakes, Ill.
Following graduation from boot camp he spent one year in Little Creek, Va., and then completed Supply School in Newport, R.I.
After completing Supply School Capt. Macon's next assignment was Naval Support Activity, Saigon, Vietnam. After his tour in Vietnam, Capt. Macon was assigned to the MAP (Military Aid Program) in the Panama Canal Zone.
Capt. Macon has been awarded the Navy Commendation (2), Navy Achievement (2), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Armed Forces Reserve and Republican of Vietnam campaign medals.
Capt. Macon is married to Charlotte Ann (Coleman) Macon. The Macons have two children, Kimbly Macon Campbell, who is a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy stationed in San Diego, and Christopher Macon Jr., also a California resident. They are also the proud grandparents of Kasey Lee Campbell , 2 1/2.
When Chris is not serving in the Reserves, he is director of affirmative action and community relations at Fifth Third Bank in Grand Rapids.
He has served the combined banks Fifth/Third and Old Kent for more than 25 years.
While serving at the banks he has held various positions including vice president and assistant vice president production manager and operations manager.
His experience includes managing operations centers, project team leadership, installation of affirmative action software and implementation of a diversity program. He is a certified diversity facilitator (Global Lead Cin).
Chris earned a bachelor of arts degree (honors) from Grand Valley State University, Allendale.
He has also served in the community as past board chairman of the Grand Rapids Urban League and Blodgett Family Services.
Chris also served on the American Red Cross of Western Michigan board of directors.
Chris currently serves on the Diversity Advisory Council for the Grand Chamber of Commerce, Blodgett Family Services Board and the Minority Business Alliance of Southwestern Michigan.