Edward (Ed) Flinn has worked for DEMA as Director of Division of State Activities since December 2005. Ed supervises the State Functions of the Agency to include:  Human Resources, Finance and Accounting, Purchasing and Contracting, Auditing, Morale Welfare & Recreation, Arizona Project ChalleNGe and represents the Agency at the legislature for the Adjutant General. Prior to 2006 he was in the United States Army.  In 2006, after 30 years service, he retired as a Colonel.  Ed graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.   He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery.  Ed has served in a variety of command and staff assignments.  He has had overseas tours in The Federal Republic of Germany and in the Republic of Korea.  He has commanded a field artillery battery in the 2^nd Infantry Division in Korea and commanded the 1^st Battalion, 82^nd Field Artillery in the 1^st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.   He has been a staff officer in units from Battalion through Corps level.  He was the Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, California before his last active duty assignment  as the Inspector General for the Arizona National Guard.

Ed is a graduate of numerous military schools to include:  Airborne, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, The Army Command and Staff College, The Inspector General Course and the United States Army War College with a Masters in Strategic Studies.  Ed has numerous military awards including:  The Legion of Merit (1 oak leaf cluster), The Meritorious Service Medal (3 oak leaf clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal (4 oak leaf clusters).Ed currently resides in Gilbert, Arizona.  His wife Mary teaches elementary school in the Gilbert Unified School District.  His daughter is a graduate of the University of  Texas Business School and is a CPA in the Dallas area.  His son is currently a junior at Arizona State University.