(609) 396-2885 info@davnj.org 171 Jersey St, Bldg 5, 2nd FL, Trenton NJ 08611 Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
DAV Official Seal

Disabled American Veterans

Department of New Jersey — Chartered Since 1921

DAV Seal

Line Officers

Department of New Jersey — 2026–2027 Roster

The Department Line Officers serve the DAV of New Jersey as elected and appointed representatives, volunteering their time to support disabled veterans and their families across the state. To reach the department office, call (609) 396-2885 or email info@davnj.org.

Department Line Officers

Department Commander
Diana Czerepusko
commander@davnj.org
(609) 709-1531
Department Senior Vice Commander
Valerie Crute
srvice@davnj.org
(973) 432-8928
Dept. 1st Junior Vice Commander
Minnie Austin
1stjrvice@davnj.org
(973) 934-8837
Dept. 2nd Junior Vice Commander
Wilfred Selby
2ndjrvice@davnj.org
Dept. 3rd Junior Vice Commander
Debbie Hamilton-Claxon
3rdjrvice@davnj.org
(862) 222-6599
Department Treasurer
Ramon Nelson
treasurer@davnj.org
(609) 923-2268
Department Judge Advocate
George Schnepf
judgeadvocate@davnj.org
(732) 216-1767

Appointed Staff & Special Ranks

Department Adjutant
Joshua Jude
adjutant@davnj.org
(609) 396-2885
Assistant Adjutant
Position Open
No assistant adjutant assigned at this time.
Department Sergeant-At-Arms
Michael Palutis
sgt-at-arms@davnj.org
State Chaplain
Anthony Stradford
statechaplain@davnj.org
Assistant State Chaplain
Larry Austin
Contact department office for details.
Officer of the Day
Timothy Holland
officeroftheday@davnj.org
Department Chief Inspector
Jeremy Barrata
chiefinspector@davnj.org
(732) 934-5089
Department WebMaster
Timothy W. Holland
info@davnj.org
(862) 823-2723
Public Relations Officer
Jason Perez
1publicrelations@davnj.org
(201) 213-8837
Department Photographer
Joseph Bruno
(609) 457-4890
Office Manager
Martha Meyers
martham@davnj.org
(609) 396-2885 ext. 104

Official Committees & Specialty Boards

Budget & Finance Committee Leonard Long (Chair, 4-Yr) — (856) 404-5145
William Weber (5-Yr) — (201) 294-3672
Anthony Stradford (3-Yr) — (609) 865-4655
Ron Sullivan (2-Yr) — (908) 513-6434
Solomon Jones (1-Yr) — (973) 477-1381
Gerald Carter | Don Walls (Ch. 77 Rep)
Alt (1-Yr): Diane Smith
Audit Committee Walter Kaczmarek (3-Yr) — (732) 991-2995
William Pettek (2-Yr) — (609) 432-3255
Patrick McGoodan (1-Yr)
Grievance Committee William Lang — (732) 292-3044
George Schnepf — (732) 283-1728
Robert Buccino — (609) 656-7227
Constitution & Bylaws Committee Robert Buccino — (856) 404-4145
Edna Long — (856) 404-5145
Diana Czerepusko — (609) 709-1531
Service — LVAP Committee Diana Czerepusko — (609) 709-1531
Valerie Crute — (973) 432-8928
Benefits & Legislative Committee Vance Oaks (Chair) — (267) 258-6802
Membership Committee Valerie Crute (Chair) — (973) 432-8928
Minnie Austin (Co-Chair) — (973) 934-8837
Transportation Committee Minnie Austin — (973) 934-8837
Will Selby — (201) 679-4844
Hospital (HCS) Representative Debbie Hamilton-Claxon — (862) 222-6599
Homeless Committee James Galbreath (Chair) — (609) 304-6719
Women Veterans Representatives Minnie Austin (North) — (973) 934-8837
Jennifer Alvaredo (South) — (856) 639-2153
Suicide Prevention Representative Andy Savicky — (856) 278-4042
Employment Committee Timothy Holland (Chair) — (862) 823-2723
Joshua Jude (Co-Chair) — (609) 396-2885
Convention Committee Joshua Jude — (609) 396-2885
Diana Czerepusko — (609) 709-1531
Valerie Crute — (973) 432-8928
Ramon Nelson — (609) 923-2268

Charles Kosmutza Scholarship Division

Scholarship Chair — Northern District
Debbie Hamilton-Claxon
Covers: Sussex, Passaic, Hudson, Morris, Warren, Bergen Counties (856) 222-6599
Scholarship Chair — Central District
Anthony Stradford
Covers: Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean Counties (609) 865-4655
Scholarship Chair — Southern District
Diana Czerepusko
Covers: Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, Cape May, Burlington, Camden Counties (609) 709-1537
Donald Walls (Ch. 40 Rep): (609) 412-8786

Registry of Past Department Commanders

Walter Kaczmarek (732) 991-2995
Chris Boutilette
Joseph Trulio (732) 265-0530
Daniel Flynn
Donald Williams (609) 893-1569
Mary Bencivenga (732) 232-5670
Bob Macdonald (732) 407-5076
Paul Dormida (908) 454-4316
Stephen Smith
Craig McTernan (609) 296-9124
Michael Cherepon (732) 985-3708
John Opatovsky (646) 229-9729
Frank Vignola (732) 673-2691
Leonard Long (856) 404-5146
James Kopley (609) 720-0250
George Schnepf (732) 216-1767
Edna Iverson Long (856) 404-5145
Robert Buccino (609) 656-7227