Marine Veteran Jim Marszalek to Lead DAV's Washington Operations

WASHINGTON, DC – January 05, 2026 – Disabled American Veterans (DAV) has appointed Marine Corps veteran Jim Marszalek as the new executive director of its Washington Headquarters, placing a seasoned advocate and nationally-recognized expert in veterans benefits law at the forefront of its legislative and service programs. The move signals a commitment to continuity and strategic leadership for the nearly 1 million-member organization.

In his new capacity, Marszalek will oversee a vast network responsible for providing free benefits assistance to over 200,000 veterans and their families annually. He will manage more than 400 professional and support staff across the capital and 88 offices nationwide, while also serving as DAV's principal spokesperson before Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the White House. The appointment is a significant step for an organization that has been a pillar of the veteran community for over a century.

“Respected throughout the organization for his strategic insight, steady leadership and deep understanding of DAV’s mission, Jim is exceptionally well positioned to lead Washington Headquarters forward,” said National Adjutant and CEO Barry Jesinoski. “Under his watch, DAV will undoubtedly secure more meaningful legislative and policy victories for the veterans we serve.”

A Legacy of Advocacy and Expertise

Marszalek's journey to this senior leadership position is deeply rooted in both his military service and his long, distinguished career within DAV. After serving honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1996 to 2000, the Pittsburgh native began his career with the organization in 2001. He joined as a member of Class XI at the DAV National Service Officer Training Academy in Denver, a rigorous program that prepares advocates to navigate the complexities of the VA benefits system.

His ascent was marked by a series of progressively responsible roles. After graduating, he served as a National Service Officer (NSO) apprentice in Cleveland, representing individual veterans in their claims. He quickly advanced through supervisory positions, demonstrating a keen grasp of both policy and personnel management. In 2012, he was named Deputy National Service Director, and by August 2013, he was appointed National Service Director. In that pivotal role, he was responsible for the entirety of DAV's National Service Program, managing a nationwide team of hundreds of NSOs and Transition Service Officers (TSOs) who collectively file hundreds of thousands of claims each year. Under his leadership, the program consistently secured billions of dollars in earned benefits for veterans and their families, underscoring the tangible impact of DAV's work.

Architect of Modern Veterans' Appeals

Perhaps Marszalek's most significant contribution to date has been his instrumental role in reshaping the VA's beleaguered claims and appeals process. For years, veterans faced a convoluted and backlogged system, often waiting many months or even years for a final decision on their disability claims. Marszalek was a key architect in developing and advocating for what would become the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2017 (VAI&MA).

As a central stakeholder, he testified numerous times before the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees, lending DAV's formidable expertise to the legislative process. The resulting law, Public Law 115-55, fundamentally reformed the appeals system by creating three distinct lanes for veterans to choose from: a Higher-Level Review by a senior adjudicator, a Supplemental Claim lane to submit new evidence, and a direct appeal to the Board of Veterans' Appeals with multiple options. The goal was to provide veterans with choice, clarity, and faster resolutions.

During his congressional testimony, Marszalek not only voiced strong support for the reform but also offered specific, technical recommendations to strengthen it. Drawing on DAV's extensive experience representing more veterans before the Board than any other service organization, he advocated for clarifying appeal options, protecting due process, and requiring robust reporting to ensure the new system's effectiveness. His deep involvement from conception to implementation cemented his reputation as a leading authority on veterans law and policy.

Steering a Mission-Driven Organization

Marszalek’s appointment comes at a critical time for the veteran community, which continues to face challenges related to healthcare access, mental health support, and the complexities of service-connected disabilities, including those from toxic exposures. His leadership will guide an organization uniquely positioned to address these issues. Founded in 1920 and chartered by Congress in 1932, DAV distinguishes itself from other major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) like the VFW and American Legion with its singular focus on the needs of ill and injured veterans and their families.

This mission is executed primarily through its free, professional assistance in navigating the VA benefits system—the very program Marszalek once directed. The NSOs he will now oversee from an executive level are the organization's front line, providing expert counsel and representation that proves life-changing for countless veterans. His intimate understanding of this core service ensures that DAV's foundational mission remains at the heart of its legislative and policy efforts in Washington.

His new role is a formalization of the influence he has wielded for years. As the organization’s chief advocate, he will be tasked with building on DAV’s legacy of legislative success and ensuring the promises made to America's service members are honored by the federal government.

The Path Forward: Continuity and Renewed Focus

For his part, Marszalek views the promotion with gravity and a sense of duty. “This appointment is a truly humbling honor and it’s a charge I don’t take lightly,” he stated. “I’m incredibly grateful for the many DAV leaders and advocates who have come before me and paved the way for our organization to make tangible differences in the lives of America’s veterans and their families. I look forward to the opportunity to lead this incredible office of professionals as we continue our great and noble mission.”

Looking ahead, his leadership is expected to bring both continuity and a renewed, expert-driven focus to DAV's advocacy. With his deep background in the mechanics of the claims system, he is perfectly positioned to lead the organization's ongoing oversight of VAI&MA's implementation, identifying areas for improvement and holding the VA accountable. Furthermore, his expertise will be invaluable as DAV continues to advocate for veterans with complex claims, such as those related to toxic exposures from the Gulf War and post-9/11 eras, which often require nuanced legislative and regulatory solutions.

Ultimately, the appointment of Jim Marszalek represents a strategic decision to empower a leader who has not only mastered the intricacies of veterans' policy but has also spent over two decades on the front lines of the fight for their benefits. His transition from a service director and policy architect to the executive director of DAV's Washington Headquarters ensures that the organization's powerful voice on Capitol Hill will be guided by one of the community's most experienced and respected advocates.