Executive Compensation at Disabled American Veterans (DAV)(2023)

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 2023, DAV reported total revenue of $176 million, most of which came from contributions.  Expenses totaled  $147 million (not including nearly $3 million in depreciation) in 2023 with the two largest expenses reported to be compensation ($50 million) and office-related expenses ($53 million).

681 employees received $50 million in compensation which equates to an average compensation of  $73,000 in 2023.  69 employees received more than $100,000 in compensation with the most highly compensated employees reported be:

• $585,465:  Edward R Reese,  Executive Director, National Headquarters
• $572,075:  Barry A Jesinoski, National Adjutant, CA), and Secretary (begin 6/1/23)
• $501,798:  Theresa L Burgoon, Chief Development Officer
• $407,743:  Edward E Hartman, Inspector General
• $388,373:  Joy Ilem, National Legislative Director
• $355,922:  Bryan C VanBoxel, Executive Director, National Headquarters
• $341,857:  Megan B Hall, General Counsel
• $322,601:  James Marszałek, National Service Director
• $258,973:  J Marc Burgess, National Adjutant, CEO, and Secretary (retired 6/1/23)
• $151,210:  Joseph Parsetich, National Commander, Chairman of the Board

As illustrated above, the 10 most highly compensated employees received $3.2 million in compensation with the most highly compensated employee reported to be Edward Reese, the Executive Director, who received $585,465 in 2023.  

The 5 most highly  compensated employees plus the former CEO received $11 million in compensation from 2018-2023:

Edward R Reese:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $585,465
• 2022:  $537,692
• 2021:  $575,733
• 2020:  $546,689
• 2019:  $461,393
• 2018:  $386,452

Barry A Jesinoski:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $572,075
• 2022:  $482,628
• 2021:  $522,452
• 2020:  $506,545
• 2019:  $461,454
• 2018:  $424,695

Theresa L Burgoon:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $0.9 million

• 2023:  $501,798
• 2022:  $405,400

Edward E Hartman:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $0.7 million

• 2023:  $407,743
• 2022:  $363,742

Joy Ilem:  Total Compensation 2018-2023:  $0.4 million

• 2023:  $388,373

J Marc Burgess:  Total Compensation:  2018-2023:  $3 million

• 2023:  $258,973
• 2022:  $534,675
• 2021:  $591,176
• 2020:  $603,396
• 2019:  $585,906
• 2018:  $569,991

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 2023, Joseph Parsetich, DAV NATIONAL COMMANDER (JANUARY-JULY), received $151,210 and Nancy Espinosa,   DAV NATIONAL COMMANDER (AUGUST-DECEMBER), received $98,790 for such payments,  

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

• $1,579,312:  Crosby Marketing Communications, of Annapolis, Maryland
• $1,107,801:  Creative Direct Response, of Lanham, Maryland
• $  865,975:  Fuse Fundraising Group, of Reston, Virginia
• $1,947,430  :  Ascenta Group, of Lindenhurst, NY
• $  727,000 :  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 (2023), click here.