Executive Compensation at Disabled American Veterans (DAV) 2022

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization is a 501 (c) (4) – a social welfare organization – that was created by Congress in 1920 to assist disabled military veterans and their families.  Based in Cold Spring, Kentucky, DAV provides services nationwide to disabled veterans through staff, national service offices and more than 1,300 local chapters.

With more than a million members (who pay $0-$300 for a lifetime of assistance and benefits), DAV is the largest disabled veteran assistance organization in the country.

In 2022, DAV reported total revenue of $147 million, most of which came from contributions.  Expenses totaled  $147 million (not including nearly $3 million in depreciation) in 2022 with the two largest expenses reported to be compensation ($55 million) and office-related expenses ($56 million).

661 employees received $55 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of  $80,000 in 2022 (compared to 687 employees who received an average compensation of $80,000 in 2022).  68 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated employees reported be:

• $534,675:  J Marc Burgess, National Adjutant, CEO, and Secretary
• $537692:  Edward R Reese,  Executive Director, National Headquarters
• $482,628:  Barry A Jesinoski, Executive Director, National L Headquarters
• $405,400:  Theresa L Burgoon, Chief Development Officer
• $363,742:  Edward E Hartman, Inspector General
• $305,883:  Bryan C VanBoxel, Assistant Executive Director
• $298,286:  James Marszałek, National Service Director
• $294,407:  Megan B Hall, General Counsel

As illustrated above, the 8 most highly compensated employees received $3.2 million in compensation with the most highly compensated employee reported to be J Marc Burgess, who received $534,675 in 2022 (compared to $591,176 in 2021, $603,396 in 2020 and $585,906 in 2019).

DAV reported paying for first class or charter travel, travel for companions, and providing discretionary spending accounts (See the Form 990, Schedule J, Part III, Supplemental Information for more detail).

In 2022, Andrew Marshall , DAV National Commander (Jan-July) received $133,065, and Joseph Parsetich  received $91,935, DAV National Commander (Aug-Dec) as a national expense allowance for lodging, meals, and other expenses.

34 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the 5 most highly compensated reported to be:

• $2,453,826:  Crosby Marketing Communications, of Annapolis, Maryland
• $1,077,023:  Creative Direct Response, of Lanham, Maryland
• $. 850,725:  Fuse Fundraising Group, of Reston, Virginia
• $  842,560:  Ascenta Group, of Lindenhurst, NY 
• $  550,561:  Direct Donor Television, of Lanham, Maryland

All of the above were compensated for “professional” services, most of which appear to be related to fundraising.

To read the IRS Form 990 (2022), click here.