OFFICERS

While the success of any organization is the sum of the efforts and dedication of its membership, the focus of those efforts is entrusted to their elected and appointed leadership.

At the VFW Department of New Jersey, we are fortunate to have a proud history of dedicated individuals who have been willing to serve as leaders who helped take us to new heights in Service to Veterans.

On the following pages, please take a moment to meet the key leaders of our New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars for the 2022-2023 year at both the Department (state) and District levels.

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS

Yvonne Zirrith

Dept Commander - Navy

Ken Hagemann

Sr Vice Commander - Marines - Post 12173

Jr Vice Commander

Filipe Oliveira

Quartermaster - Navy - Post 3117

Paul Thompson

Chaplain - Post 6699

Brian Schreck

Inspector - Navy - Post 3117

Bob Weiss

Service Officer - Marines - Post 133

Derek Farthing

Judge Advocate - Navy - Post 2294

Minnie Austin

Surgeon - Army - Post 10117

N/A

Chief of Staff

DISTRICT OFFICERS

Rudy Hass

District 1 Commander - Post 7198

Bruce Young

District 2 Commander - Post 3149

Tony Goodson

District 3 Commander - Post 2294

Brian Gallagher

District 4 Commander - Post 7925

Brian Gorczyca

District 5 Commander - Post 2230

Bob Jameson

District 6 Commander - Post 1333

George Bethel

District 7 Commander - Post 303

Ken Cruz

District 8 Commander - Post 7508

Richard Olsen

District 10 Commander - Post 3401

Todd Epperly

District 11 Commander - Post 3020

Carmine Czapla

District 12 Commander - Post 6063

Brianna Felice

District 13 Commander - Post 6469

Jim Wisor

District 15 Commander - Post 2290

Mario Perrucci

District 16 Commander - Post 6964

Michael Venzie

District 17 Commander - Post 8695

Terry Smith

District 18 Commander - Post 491

Frank Smith

District 21 Commander - Post 5360

NATIONAL OFFICERS

Luddie H Austin

National Council Member - Army - Post 12165

APPOINTED OFFICERS

N/A

All State Post-District Commader Chair

N/A

All State QM Chairperson

Jim D'Arcy

Audit and Finance Committee - Post 335

Georg Hambach

Audit and Finance Committee - Post 7921

Larry Austin

Buddy Poppy Chairperson - Post 10117

N/A

Budget Chairperson

Yvonne Zirrith

Budget Committee - Post 262

Filipe Oliveira

Budget Committee - Post 3117

Yvonne Zirrith

By-Law Review/Resolution Chairperson - Post 262

Tony Lione

By-Law Review/Resolution Committee - Post 2342

N/A

By-Law Review/Resolution Committee

Bob Pinto

Cemetery - Beverly - Post 3020

Paul Thompson

Cemetery - Finns Point

Burt Salisbury

Asst. Dept. Chaplain

N/A

Chief of Staff

N/A

Color Guard

N/A

Commander's Project

N/A

Communications

N/A

Community Activity Chairperson

N/A

Convention Director

N/A

Convention Committee

N/A

Convention Parade

Corey Hicks

Convention Parade - Post 6063

Luddie Austin

DMAVA - Post 12165

N/A

DMAVA

Luddie Austin

Eastern Conference Chairperson - Post 12165

Yvonne Zirrith

Eastern Conference Delegate - Post 262

Luddie Austin

Fitness Events Chairperson - Post 12165

N/A

Fundraising

Pat Carney

VFW Gaming

N/A

Hospitality

Hospitals - Vets Haven South

Georg Hambach

Hospitals - Vets Haven North - Post 7921

Frank Aleck

Hospitals - Menlo Park - Post 3117

Ed Piegdon

Hospitals - East Orange - Post 1397

Minnie Austin

Hospitals - Paramus - Post 10117

Bill Sampolski

Hospitals - Vineland - Post 3324

N/A

Investigations Chairperson

N/A

Investigations Committee

N/A

Federal Legislative Director

N/A

State Legislative Director

Luddie Austin

State Legislative Director - Post 12165

N/A

Legislative Committee

Luddie Austin

Legislative Committee - Post 12165

Guin Pherson

Legislative Committee - Post 335

Yvonne Zirrith

Legislative Committee - Post 262

Corey Hicks

Loyalty Day Chairperson - Post 6063

N/A

Membership Director

Mike Boll

Membership Team

Danny Ortiz

Membership Team

Angel Villanueva

Membership Team

N/A

Outstanding Law/Fire/EMT

Brian Lapczynski

Outstanding Teacher - Post 6063

Luddie Austin

Parliamentarian

Milo Hannah

Patriots Pen Chairman

N/A

Policy/SOP

Jon Hinker

Policy/SOP

N/A

POW/MIA Chairperson

N/A

Publicity Chairperson

Jon Hinker

Scouting/ROTC/Youth Chairperson - Post 6063

Joe Nelson

Sergeant at Arms - Post 7164

Steve Davis

Sergeant at Arms Assistant - Post 10152

Gary Stoop

Sergeant at Arms Assistant - Post 5479

Dorit Attias

Sergeant at Arms Assistant - Post 6063

Corey Hicks

Sergeant at Arms Assistant - Post 6063

Bob Looby

Standdown Chairperson - Post 7857

Ed Piegdon

VAVS East Orange - Post 1397

Mike Boll

VAVS East Orange

Jon Hinker

VAVS East Orange

Bob Looby

VAVS East Orange

Gerald Cadwallader

VAVS Lyons - Post 7856

George Trigas

VAVS Lyons - Post 7856

Mike Boll

VAVS Lyons

N/A

VFW University

Frank Smith

Voice of Democracy Chairman

N/A

National Programs

Bob Weiss

National Appointments - VSO - Marines - Post 133

VETERAN SERVICE OFFICERS

Bob Weiss

Department Veteran Service Officer - Marines

Josh Hansen

Veteran Service Officer - Army

Charles Thorp

Veteran Service Officer - Army

Jaime Santiago

Veteran Service Officer - Army

Mike Boll

Veteran Service Officer - Marines