Board of Directors

Current Board

Dennis Joyner

President

Dennis Joyner, a combat-disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, was appointed board president for the Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial Foundation in 2015. Prior to his appointment, he served on the board as secretary from 2008 to 2015.

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Barry A. Jesinoski

Vice-President

Barry A. Jesinoski, a service-connected veteran of the Persian Gulf War era, was appointed national adjutant for the more than 1 million-member DAV in June 2023. That same year, Jesinoski was elected vice-president of the Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial Foundation, a separate, affiliated entity of DAV.

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Eugene A. Murphy

Secretary/Treasurer

Eugene A. Murphy, who was paralyzed by gunshot wounds in Vietnam, served as national commander of DAV (Disabled American Veterans) from 1987 to 1988. In 1998, Murphy was elected treasurer of the Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial Foundation, and continues to serve as secretary/treasurer.

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Nancy G. Espinosa

Director

Nancy Espinosa, a service-connected disabled veteran of the Army, Reserve and National Guard, was unanimously elected as national commander for the more than 1 million-member DAV at the organization’s 2023 national convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

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David W. Riley

Director

Riley is a veteran of both the Army and the Coast Guard. In the Army (1976-82), he served as a radar repair technician with tours of duty including Korea.

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David W. Gorman

Director

David W. Gorman, a combat-disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, was appointed executive director of DAV’s Washington Headquarters in 1995, holding that position until his retirement in 2011. His responsibilities included oversight of DAV’s national service, legislative and voluntary service programs.

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Donald L. Samuels

Director

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Samuels served in the Marine Corps from 1960 to 1969, when he was discharged due to injuries sustained in the Battle for Hill 881N near Khe Sanh, Vietnam.

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Arthur H. Wilson

Ex-Officio Member

Arthur H. Wilson, a service-connected Vietnam veteran who served in the Air Force, was co-founder of the Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial Foundation in 1998 and served as president of the board until 2015. He currently still serves as an ex-officio member.

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Founding Board Members

  • Lois B. Pope – Co-Founder and Chairman
  • Arthur H. Wilson – Co-Founder and President
  • Eugene A. Murphy – Treasurer
  • Dennis A. Joyner – Secretary
  • Allen F. “Gunner” Kent – Director
  • Diane Musselmann – Director
  • Roberto “Bobby” Barrera – Director
  • The Late Jesse Brown – Co-Founder and the Foundation’s First Executive Director
  • The Late Kenneth G. Musselmann – Director
  • The Late Gordon H. Mansfield – Director