Dina Vardal

Dina Vardal is a retired law enforcement officer, military veteran, and devoted mother whose life has been defined by discipline, service, and love of family. Raised in Joliet, Illinois, she grew up immersed in the cultural traditions of her Greek and Italian heritage. The values of hard work and resilience she inherited from her parents guided her through careers in both law enforcement and the military, while also shaping the way she contributes to her community today.

Her parents, Denis and Danira, built a life in Joliet after immigrating from Europe. Together, they opened Mykonos Gyros, a restaurant that became a neighborhood gathering place, and also founded Vardal Engineering, which remains in family hands. Growing up in this environment of enterprise and community service instilled in Dina an appreciation for perseverance and connection, lessons she carried into every stage of her career and personal life.

At just seventeen, she joined the Army National Guard while beginning her education. She earned an Associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Joliet Junior College in 1990 and a Bachelor’s in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University in 1992, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Years later, balancing a whole career and family life, she went on to earn a Master’s in Organizational Development from Benedictine University, furthering her ability to lead and mentor others.

Her law enforcement career spanned more than twenty years, during which she became a SWAT officer, firearms instructor, and mentor to recruits. She also served twenty-two years in the Army National Guard as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief, working on aircraft such as the Blackhawk and Chinook. Her military career included tours in Panama and Germany, along with leadership roles as a fitness coordinator and organizer of morale-building events that strengthened bonds within her unit.

After retirement, Dina Vardal transitioned into new roles as a substitute teacher and active volunteer. She has supported Meals on Wheels, local shelters, food banks, and her church community. She enjoys traveling, especially to Greece, as well as gardening, scuba diving, and cooking traditional meals for family and friends. In 2022, she married Noe DeLeon Jr., and above all, she treasures being a mother to her daughter, Danira, who remains her greatest joy and source of inspiration.