Swanson was also a candidate for the 20th General of The Salvation Army in August 2013, but he was not elected.
He served as the Divisional Commander of the Heartland division headquartered in Peoria, Illinois.
In 2007 Commissioner Swanson came to International Headquarters as International Secretary and Zonal Secretary for the Americas and Caribbean zone, prior to being appointed to be the Territorial Commander in the USA Central Territory.
He took the office of Chief of Staff on May 1, 2010 following the retirement of Commissioner Robin Dunster.
[3] Corps (June 1977), DHQ (June 1990), Corps (July 1992), DHQ (June 1994) Divisional Commander (August 1995) Territorial Secretary for Programme (July 1999) Chief Secretary (April 2003) National Chief Secretary (July 2006) International Secretary for Americas & Caribbean (July 2007) Territorial Commander (October 2008) Chief of the Staff (May 2010) Territorial Commander (February 2013)[1]