Jim Marszalek, Executive Director, Washington Headquarters
Jim Marszalek was appointed executive director, Washington Headquarters in Washington D.C. for the nearly 1 million-member DAV in January 2026.
As executive director, he directs DAV’s legislative and service programs, which provide free benefits assistance to over 200,000 veterans, their family members and their survivors each year. Between Washington Headquarters and all our service offices nationwide, Marszalek will help manage more than 400 professional and support staff. Marszalek will also serve as key spokesperson for DAV before Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House.
Marszalek, a Marine veteran, began his DAV career in 2001 as a member of Class XI at the DAV National Service Officer Training Academy in Denver. He has served in supervisory roles across the country and until he was appointed to service staff in 2011 and national service director in 2013. In August 2025, Marszalek was appointed assistant executive director of DAV Washington Headquarters, where he served until his current appointment.
A nationally recognized expert of veterans benefits and services, Marszalek was instrumental in advancing reforms of VA claims and appeals systems, including DAV’s advocacy surrounding the Veterans Appeals and Modernization Act of 2017, and has testified before the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs committees numerous times.
A life member of Chapter 76 in Pittsburgh. He and his spouse, Jillian, reside in Ashburn, Virginia, with their two sons.