2026-2028 DAV- EXECUTIVE BOARD POSITIONS (2 yr. positions per new by-laws)
Title Name / Phone Number / Email Address
Commander Randy “Ron” Counts 714-673-9807 rlcounts@yahoo.com
Jr. Past Commander Mel Forbes 714-403-8450 mcforbes87@gmail.com
Sr Vice Commander Karen Kinsley 310-904-2848 kkinsley02@gmail.com
Jr. Vice Commander Richard Alban 714-944-8739 Richard_Alban@Yahoo.com
Treasurer Jesse Valdez 714-931-0618 JesseAValdez@gmail.com
Appointed Positions:
Adjutant Robert “Bob” Sanchez 949-285-5777 436bellflower@gmail.com
Benefits Protection Team Leader Giovanni D. “John” Tornicelli 562-858-6151 GioDAV23@gmail.com
Chaplain Charles Frost 714-882-9234 charleshfrost@yahoo.com
Chaplain Member Brian Williams 714-365-4513 brw64@myyahoo.com
Committee Member Richard True 714-343-2278 rwtrue@verizon.net
Committee Member “Open Position”
Judge Advocate Joseph “Nightrain Joe” Gramoglia 714-943-5107 Jammer6979@aol.com
Membership Administrator / Webmaster / Newsletter – John Mackus 949-716-6400 GySgtMackus@msn.com
Officer Of the Day – TBD
Sergeant-At-Arms – Kurt Vanderwest 714-299-8102 VanderwestSprinkler@gmail.com
For Assistance with VA Claims:
Veteran Service Officer
Mark McHugh, 562-355-1676 (leave message) dav23cso@gmail.com
Chapter Service Officers
Gary Colletti714-204-1738 gmcolletti1@gmail.com
Richard “Richie” Robert 949-390-3754 Richrob@pacbell.net
To lead a Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapter, you must satisfy specific membership and procedural requirements outlined in the
DAV National Constitution and Bylaws.
Core Eligibility
- Membership Status: You must be a member in good standing.
- One Office Rule: A member can hold only one elective chapter office at a time.
- Position Restrictions: The Chapter Commander and Vice Commanders are prohibited from simultaneously serving as the Adjutant or Treasurer.
Key Leadership Roles
Chapters typically operate with both elected and appointed leaders:
- Elected Officers: Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Junior Vice Commander(s), Treasurer, and Chaplain.
- Appointed Officers: Adjutant, Judge Advocate, Service Officer, and Sergeant-at-Arms.
Service Officer Certification
Local Service Officers have additional specialized requirements:
- Annual Certification: Must receive DAV certification every year.
- Nomination: Must be nominated by the chapter commander or adjutant.
- Exclusivity: Cannot be accredited as an attorney or claims agent for any other organization.
- Auxiliary Prohibition: DAV Auxiliary members cannot serve as DAV service officers.
Administrative Requirements
- Officer Election Reports: Within 10 days of installation, the Officer Election Report must be submitted online via MyDAV.org.
- Meetings: Chapters must hold at least four regular meetings per membership year. A quorum requires at least 7 members, including at least 2 elected officers.
- Governance: Officers must follow Robert’s Rules of Order and maintain copies of the National and Department Bylaws.