Van
Gilmer

Van Gilmer, renowned soloist, composer, and director, is a native of Greensboro North Carolina, and graduated from NC Agricultural & Technical State University with a BS in Architectural Engineering. During that early period, he was also directly involved in the sit-ins of the 1960’s to remove barriers of segregation in the United States. During his 37 years of Federal Employment he worked in a variety of engineering and management positions including being appointed the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) where he also represented Navy Department EEO Directors for the Northeast of the US and Europe. He was presented with the Civilian Meritorious Award and Medal by the US Navy Department for his outstanding service and retired from federal service in 2004. For the past twelve years, Mr. Gilmer has been the Music Director at the Bahá’í House of Worship for the North American Continent, located in Wilmette, Illinois. Van has been a Bahá’í for over 52 years and has served on a variety of Bahá’í administrative and appointed bodies, including the National Race Unity and National Persian/American Affairs Committees. He is a recipient of the Independent Music Award’s “Best Gospel Song” for 2005. Van is also a member of the American Society of Choral Directors and is listed in the Who’s Who Registry & Global Network for Outstanding Professionals.