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Written by: Editor

Published: 22 April 2021

The Salvation Army’s Del Oro Division, which serves Northern California and Northern Nevada, has new leaders.

Husband and wife duo, Majors John and Pamilla Brackenbury were installed as divisional leaders in a special ceremony on April 17 at the Suisun City Kroc Center.

The Majors Brackenbury take over leadership from Lieutenant Colonels Ivan and Jennifer Wild, who now head up The Salvation Army’s Southwest Division, headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to this, they served as the leaders of The Salvation Army’s Alaska Division.

New assignments and title changes are a part of serving in The Salvation Army. Salvation Army officers, or pastors, are typically moved every few years to match their experience with the needs of the international organization and the communities it serves.

“We truly enjoyed our time in beautiful Alaska, serving those in the most need,” said Major John Brackenbury. “We are excited to be returning to Sacramento to build upon a legacy of success the Del Oro Division has achieved in effectively responding to the pandemic and devastating wildfires.”

With their new roles, come new titles. Major John Brackenbury is now the Del Oro divisional commander. Major Pamilla Brackenbury is now the Del Oro divisional secretary for Women’s Ministries.

Both have a long history of serving in The Salvation Army, including multiple previous appointments in the Del Oro Division, headquartered in Sacramento.

Major Pam Brackenbury’s first assignment after graduating from The Salvation Army Training College was in Sacramento. In 1984, she served at the Alhambra Campus in the Oak Park neighborhood.

Later as a married couple, they returned to Sacramento in 2004 to oversee all the programs within the Del Oro Division. Major John Brackenbury also was head of operations in the Sacramento Metro Area at that time.

“It’s amazing to see programs and events that we had a hand in starting, that are now flourishing and expanding,” said Major Pamilla Brackenbury. “We are so humbled to have been chosen to return to the Del Oro Division, this time as divisional leaders.”

Along with their decades of service in The Salvation Army, they also hold master’s degrees. Major John Brackenbury has a Master of Organization Leadership degree with an emphasis in nonprofit management and Major Pamilla Brackenbury has a Master of Leadership degree.

In their previous appointments in the Del Oro Division, Majors Brackenbury had a hand in helping begin the E. Claire Raley Transitional Living Center for families in Sacramento, building the Suisun City Kroc Center, launching the Annual Helping Handbags Fundraiser in Sacramento, and much more.

“We are so excited to be here and be a part of this community again,” said Major John Brackenbury. “We have big shoes to fill from Majors Ivan and Jennifer Wild, but we have been welcomed with open arms by staff, officers, volunteers and advisory organization members. We look forward to building new relationships and helping to improve the lives of those we serve.”

The Brackenburys will oversee operations throughout the Del Oro Division, which covers all of Northern California, including the East and North Bays and areas north to the border of Oregon. It also covers Northern Nevada, including Reno and Carson City.

The Salvation Army also operates family thrift stores and adult rehabilitation programs and centers.