Meet Trustee Oden
Retired Air Force Col. Bill Oden is a member of the South Carolina State University Board of Trustees from Sumter, South Carolina. His service has included Sponsored Programs and Information Technology Committee chair.
"I serve SC State to help bring resources and partnerships to make the university successful."
Education
- AAS Aircraft Maintenance - Community Collage of the Air Force
- AA in Liberal Arts – University of Maryland
- AA in Liberal Arts – Saint Leo University
- BA Human Resource Management - Saint Leo University
- MA Human Resource Management - Troy State University
- MA Computer Resources and Information Management – Webster University
Background
Trustee Oden is deputy dhief of staff for cyber security and intelligence for the South Carolina State Guard.
Oden was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November 1974. He served 23 years and retired as the Senior Network Administrator responsible for four Fighter Squadrons and associated units’ computer and network systems to include secure networks for the 20th Operations Group, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He completed five tours in the Middle East in support of Desert Shield and Operation Southern Watch. He also served as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of the 20th Fighter Wing’s Air Expeditionary Force deployment to Doha, Qatar in support of Operation Southern Watch, responsible for 25 F-16s flying combat missions and 350 personnel to include maintenance, medical and supply.
He retired from the Air Force in December 1997. While serving in the Air Force, he received multiple awards, ribbons and medals to include, Graduate United States Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Distinguished Graduate and member of the Honor Flight for Tactical Air Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Honor Graduate Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School, the Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal.
He went to work for Kershaw County School District in October 1997 as a computer technician and retired in August 2016 as their Senior Systems Administrator.
COL. Oden joined the South Carolina State Guard in 1998 and has served in the following
positions: Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer,
Battalion Commander, Brigade S-1, Division Special Projects Officer, Inspector General
and the present position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Cyber Security and Intel. In
the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Cyber Security, he spearheaded the formation
of the first ever Cyber Unit for the South Carolina State Guard.
While serving in the State Guard, he has received multiple awards, ribbons and medals
to include the State Guard Senior Aviation Badge, the State Guard Master Level Security
Specialist Badge, the State Guard Commendation Medal and the State Guard Meritorious
Service Medal.
He is married to the former Miss Janice Hunter; they have three children and twelve grandchildren.
Other Community Service
- Chairman of the Sumter Veterans Council.
- Member of the Benedict College Department of Criminal Justice Administration and Social Sciences Advisory Council – Cybersecurity.
- Member of the Sumter Military Affairs Committee for the Sumter Chamber of Commerce.