It’s Official!

On November 13, 2025, the New Jersey Council held elections for its officers and members of the Board of Directors for 2026. We are pleased to share the newly elected leadership of your Council. The New Jersey Council extends its sincere gratitude to two outgoing officers: Salvadore Chairez, who dedicated many years as Vice President of Membership, and Joe Velez, who served equally long as Vice President of Community Affairs. Council President Daniel Dermer expresses his deep appreciation for their hard work, commitment, and longstanding service to the Council. Spiro Kalambakis conducted an informal swearing-in of the new officers and Board Members so they may begin their work immediately. The formal swearing-in will take place on January 24, 2026, during the Council’s Installation Dinner and Awards Ceremony. We wish Fair Winds and Following Seas to our departing officers—many of whom will continue to serve as Directors—and we salute them for their dedication and service.

2026 Council Officers

President: Daniel Dermer *

Sr. Vice President: William Aitken *

VP Military Affairs: Fernando Rivera

VP Membership: Vincent Robinson

VP Community Affairs: Suzanne Le Blon Blum

Treasurer: Dave Guirguess

Secretary: Ashley Curcio

Public Affairs Officer: Megan Miller

Judge Advocate: Hon. Vincent Le Blon (JSC. Ret.)

Parliamentarian: Dennis Durkin, Sr.

Legislative Affairs Officer: Ken Connors

Historian: Angus Gillespie*

Chaplain: Spero Kalambakas (JMC)

Council Photographer: Frank Clyburne

Non-Officer Board of Directors

Scott Aitken

Dennis Blum

Tom Botsolas

Ken Connors

Salvador Chairez

Tom Ehlert

Carlton Hoye

David Hyman

Amber Munchback

Jason Onuschek

Greg Varga *

Joe Velez

Hank Warnke*

Andy Yurchuk

*Denotes past Council President

  2026 Installation Dinner

The Council’s Installation Dinner will be held at the Somerville Elks on January 24, 2026. The evening will begin with a Cocktail Hour featuring a cash bar at 6:00 PM, followed by a Buffet Dinner immediately after the opening ceremonies. The cost for Council Members, officers, and their guests is $75.00 per person. An official invitation will be distributed in mid-December. If you have not received an Evite and would like to attend, please contact Dan at the email address provided.

If there are additional guests or others who may be interested in attending, please feel free to forward this information so they may request an official invitation.

If you are unable to attend but would like to sponsor one of our military guests or place an advertisement in our Dinner Program and Ad Journal, please use the contact information provided below for details and payment instructions.

All requests can be made to president@njcnulus.org or via our website at NJCNLUS.ORG (New Jersey Council- Navy League of the US.)

Donations can also be made by check payable to NJC- NLUS sent to Daniel Dermer, 28 Jensen Street, East Brunswick, NJ 08816. If you need any additional information or have any questions, please contact Dan at 908-227-4017.

Requests MUST be received no later than January 15, 2026.

2026 Installation Dinner Program & Ad Journal

We are now accepting donations for ads in our Installation Dinner Program and Ad Journal. This year’s dinner will be held on January 24, 2026.

The Council’s Annual Installation Dinner program will contain an Ad Journal. Please place an ad to congratulate the Council on their successes or to wish Council President Daniel Dermer and his Officers good luck. Your Ad is tax deductible since the New Jersey Council is a 501C3 charitable organization.

We ask that you kindly attach your ad with a description of what you want to say, complete with your artwork and we will take care of the rest. You can email your ad, flyer or note to president@njcnlus.org and make your payment via our website at NJCNLUS.ORG (New Jersey Council- Navy League of the US) and we will size or crop to fit as needed.

Submissions MUST be received no later than January 15, 2026. Checks can be made payable to NJC-NLUS and sent to Daniel Dermer,

28 Jensen St. East Brunswick, NJ 08816. If you need any additional information or have any questions, please contact Dan at 908-217-4017.

Donate To Our Organization

It is through donations such as yours that allows our organization to continue to support our active military and their families. Thank you.

Your donations may be tax deductible; consult with a tax professional.