Colonel (Retired) José R. Atencio III was born in Chamberlain, South Dakota, August 20, 1960. He was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate through Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), University of North Alabama, in December 1982. 

Colonel Atencio began his military career on active duty as a Platoon Leader in the 8 th Ordnance Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His subsequent active duty assignments were as Assistant S-2/3, Special Troops Battalion, 1 st COSCOM, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Executive Officer, 8 th Ordnance Company, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Commander, 77 th Ordnance Company (EOD). Fort Huachuca, Arizona – with subsequent deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm; Division Chief, Hazardous Devices Division (FBI), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Commander, 441 st Ordnance Battalion (EOD), Fort Lewis, Washington and Bag ram Airbase, Afghanistan. His Alabama Army National Guard assignments include Operations Officer, 669 th Ordnance Detachment (EODCT); Automation Management Officer, 167 th Support Command (CORPS); Operations Officer, 111 th Ordnance Group (EOD); Commander, 441 st Ordnance Battalion (EOD); Operations Officer, 167 th Theater Support Command; Support Operations Officer, 135 th Theater Sustainment Command (Expeditionary); Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Troy, Iraq, and as Commander, 111 th Ordnance Group (EOD). Colonel Atencio has retired after 30 years of military service, 10 years on Active Duty and 20 years with the Alabama Army National Guard. 

Colonel Atencio is a graduate of Airborne School, Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advance Course, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, Advance Access and Disablement for Nuclear Devices, Combined Arms Service School, Hazardous Devices Course (FBI), Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. His civilian education includes an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of North Alabama and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. 

Colonel Atencio's awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge, the Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge and other decorations and citations. 

Colonel Atencio is married to the former Shelia Wright of Florence, Alabama. They have two children; Eric (Captain-Army Nurse Corps) and daughter-in- law Paige and Ashley (NASA Engineer) and son-in- law Scott. Colonel and Mrs. Atencio currently reside in Florence, Alabama. 

Working as the Recruiting Operations Officer with UNA ROTC since May 2000.