02 August 2011

The Salvation Army Northwest Division announces the appointment of Majors Douglas and Sheryl Tollerud as Divisional Commander and Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries, respectively. The Division, with its headquarters in Seattle, serves the homeless, hungry, and helpless throughout Washington, Northern Idaho, and Western Montana.

August 2, 2011

They replace Lt. Colonels Doug and Diane O’Brien, who were recently appointed to Western Territory Secretary for Personnel and Secretary of Women’s Ministries, respectively. They are now working at Territorial Headquarters in Long Beach, California.

The news of their move from Alaska didn’t surprise the Majors Tollerud. As Salvation Army Officers, the Majors expect to be reassigned throughout their careers. The commitment of being an Officer includes moving your family frequently, and accepting reassignments based on career development and filling the needs of The Salvation Army locations. The assignment in the Northwest Division is an acknowledgement of their ability to manage a large Division of 30 Corps, with diverse programs, clientele and geography.

They arrive in the Northwest directly from their appointment as Divisional Commanders in Alaska, where they served for five years. Throughout their 28-year tenure with The Salvation Army, they have served as Corps Officers and Pastors at the Santa Clara Citadel Corps; Salem and Portland, Oregon; Twin Falls, Idaho; and Torrance, California; as well as taking responsibility for the Divisional youth programming in Northern California and as Divisional Secretary and Women’s Ministries Secretary, respectively, in the Intermountain Division (headquartered in Denver). Together, they have enjoyed a variety of settings, having worked in rural, urban and inner-city ministries. 

Major Douglas is originally from North Dakota, graduated from high school in Michigan, and attended college in Alaska and the Army SFOT. He served as a sergeant in the US Army, stationed in Alaska, where he met and married Major Sheryl. She was born in Anchorage, but spent many years as a young person in the Santa Clara valley and throughout California. She attended college in Alaska, Colorado and the Army SFOT. They have been married for 33 years and have three sons, Jonathan, Daniel, and David.