Jon Retzer, National Legislative Director
Jon Retzer, a service-connected disabled veteran of the U.S. Army and Army National Guard, was appointed as national legislative director of the nearly 1 million-member DAV in January 2026. He is based at DAV’s Washington Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Retzer’s DAV career began in 2003 as a national service officer trainee in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was first promoted to assistant supervisor of the Fort Snelling National Service Office and then to supervisor, where he served until his appointment as assistant national service director at DAV Washington Headquarters in August 2017.
In 2022, Retzer transitioned into legislative advocacy and joined DAV’s legislative team as assistant national legislative director, working to shape policies that make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families. Retzer was appointed deputy national legislative director for health in August 2024 before being promoted to deputy national legislative director in May 2025, where he served until his current appointment.
A native of Fridley, Minnesota, Retzer served in the Army infantry from 1991 to 1995 and continued his service with the Army National Guard until his medical separation in 1999. He is a life member of Chapter 39 in Anoka, Minnesota.