Meet Our Council Leaders
NJ Council President: Daniel A. Dermer
Dan was a graduate of Rider University in Lawrenceville NJ in 1995. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management with a minor in Political Science he became a Law School Candidate. During that time, he continued to work and manage his small concrete construction firm while also working part time for multiple law firms in Central NJ. From 2010 to 2018 he put his education and work experience to use while he worked for the US Department of Homeland Security at the Transportation Security Administration in Newark NJ.
Most notable is how he has been actively involved in his community since the age of 17 when he became the youngest member of the Millstone Valley Fire Department in East Millstone NJ. He then became the youngest person ever elected Chief prior to his 25th birthday. Ten years later he was elected the youngest President and would serve for four years. He then served for two additional years as President of the Franklin Township Fire Chief’s Association.
His record of service continued when he joined the New Jersey Council-Navy League of the US in 1999. Upon being elected its President, he created the motto, Non-Military families helping Military families. After three years as its President, Dan became Chief of Staff serving the next five Presidents from 2007 until 2021. On October 1, 2021, Dan formed the Angel Program of NJ, along with colleagues from three previous organizations in which he served. The new Non-Profit seeks to provide aide and assistance to families in distress due to emergencies and continued outreach to military families throughout the year. Due to the devastation wrought by the Covid 19 global pandemic, Dan returned for his second stint as Council President on February 6, 2024. Utilizing the resources from two major nonprofits, Dan and both of his teams are now focused on being In Service to Those Who Serve.
Dan is also a founding Board Member, Trustee and the Corporate Secretary for the NJ Submarine Commissioning Organization. The USS NJ (SSN-796) was Commissioned in September of 2024 in NJ. Besides his organizational duties, his responsibilities include providing for entertainment and activities for the crew and their families during Commissioning Week. While serving in that capacity he was also the Co Chairman of the USS John Basilone (DDG-122) Commissioning Committee. Together with Navy League counterparts from the New York Council, the ship was Commissioned in early November 2024 at Pier 88 in Manhattan. His primary duty was to be the NJ outreach coordinator for all activities that the Committee and crew participated in for the State of NJ.
Senior Vice President William A. Aitken, Jr.
William A. Aitken, Jr., is a 1982 graduate from St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, New Jersey with a B.S. in Economics. In 1985 he obtained his Juris Doctorate from Whittier College School of Law in Los Angeles, California, graduating Cum Laude. Mr. Aitken was then admitted to the N.J. bar in 1985 and has been practicing law since admission. Mr. Aitken has almost forty years of legal practice. He has extensive experience in all aspects of law, with an emphasis in contracts, residential and commercial real estate, financing, land use, and zoning matters. He has served as attorney for various planning boards, including the Borough of Milltown, Borough of North Plainfield and Township of Green Brook. Bill has appeared before the New Jersey State Superior Court, the New Jersey Appellate Court and Federal District Court.
Mr. Aitken’s commitment to public service extends to active and leadership roles in many charitable organizations. He is presently a member of the Board of Trustees for the New Jersey Folk Festival 2004-present) a member of the Board of Trustees for both the Angel Program of New Jersey (2021-present), and the USS NJ (SSN-796) Commissioning Organization. He is actively involved with the New Jersey Council-Navy League of the United States. With the Council he has served as a member of its Board of Directors (2005 to present); Treasurer (2001-2004 and 2019-2021); President (2009-2010); Judge Advocate (2004-2019); and Vice President of Military Affairs (2005-2008 and 2011-2019).
Mr. Aitken also serves as an instructor for the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corp. (2005-present) and was an Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scouts of America Troop 60, Monroe Township, New Jersey (2010- 2018). In 2018 he once again volunteered his services and is one of the founding members for the USS New Jersey Commissioning Committee, overseeing its legal compliance. His commitment to Our Country and its future leaders continues as he serves as an Admissions Partner for the United States Coast Guard Academy and a Field Representative for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is a proud parent of twins: Ens. Allison Aitken, USCG, serving at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi; and LTJG Austin Aitken, USCG, serving on board a USCG Cutter homeported in Florida.
Vice President of Military Affairs Fernando Rivera
Fernando is a graduate of New York University with a degree in Economics. As a Senior Securities Lending and Risk Management Trade Executive he has a wealth of knowledge in Agency Lending and Client Liquidity Management. He has been employed by some of the largest Financial Firms within the US including Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, Deutsche Bank, Edward Jones and Wells Fargo.
Fernando has worked for many years as a US Coast Guard Academy Admissions Partner. He has helped many High School students work their way through the US Coast Guard Academy’s application process. He supported both of his sons as they entered and succeeded at the USCG Academy (USCGA). Both of his sons are now Officers in the USCG and serve in their fleet. He continues to support the USCGA by maintaining his position as an Admissions Partner as well as providing continued support for the USCG Rowing Team. He is proud to be a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and serves as a Culinary Specialist for a local Flotilla when his time allows. He is also proud to be an officer and member of the Angel Program of NJ, his work with Team Rubicon, Team Red White and Blue, and a supporter of Ronald Mc Donald House.
Fernando has been a member of the New Jersey Council for many years. His experience with the US Coast Guard led him to becoming the very first Military Attache’ to the US Coast Guard for the Council. During that time, he worked diligently to foster new relationships with units based in Sandy Hook NJ. His commitment to all of the Councils adopted military units led him to being elected the Vice President of Military Affairs (VPMA) His Roles and Responsibilities include continuing to support all fifteen adopted military units from the US Coast Guard and US Navy. To also facilitate support and funding to each individual units including Sailor of the Year Awards, Morale, Welfare and Recreation events, holiday gift giving and a host of other activities. Fernando also oversees his US Naval Attache’s activities by working closely with Peter Engelman. As the Vice President of Military Affairs, he also presides over the most active, dynamic and most crucial of all activities within the Council.
Vice President of Community Affairs Joseph Velez
Joe is currently the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Straits Financial LLC, in Red Bank, NJ. He is an accomplished, Global Sales & Marketing professional with in‐depth Precious Metals, Energy, Grains and Soft Commodity Sales experience. Velez is a retired Vice President of Cargill, Inc. and continues to generate a wide variety of Latin American clients and business including commodity trade, commodity futures and hedgers from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Central America.
Joe has been a long-time member of the Navy League of the United States serving in both the New York City and now the New Jersey Council. He is continuing to serve as the Vice President of Community Affairs (VPCA) and his Roles and Responsibilities include: Fundraising Types/Procedures, Events/Messaging/Community Affiliates, Organizational Objectives (Updated Trifolds & CJNLUS Marketing Materials/Fully integrated Social Media Platform including our Website, Facebook and Twitter.
Joseph A. Velez, AP, was recently elected District Commander (D/C 04) which is the Ranking Officer of the District. While not a National Officer, he is the Ex Officio member of the Governing Board for the District. Velez also serves as the Squadron Commander of the Raritan Bay Power Squadron in District 4, Keyport. NJ. Velez has direct responsibility for its growth and vitality, as well, establishes the direction and vision for The Squadron during term of office. He is an Ex officio member of all committees except Auditing, Nominating & Rules. Appoints delegates to Conferences & GBs. Appoints chairpersons to appointive committees. Presides at all Squadron Meetings, General Membership & Executive Committee.
Joe is also a Board Member & Trustee of the NJ Submarine Commissioning Organization. Responsibilities include organization and participation in all fundraising activities. Velez ensures the communication regarding fundraising needs, events and support levels are distributed between the commissioning organization and other committees. Together with other members of his committee, Velez is responsible to update all donors with progress reports about the boat.
Vice President of Membership Salvador Chairez
Salvador is a graduate of the University of Maryland, University College and was honorably discharged after serving proudly in the U.S. Air Force for five years. He brings nearly 20 years of certified non-profit association leadership experience. Along with that, he has over 10 years of international experience partnering with community leaders to increase educational outcomes, build classrooms, improve health though housing and living conditions upgrades and fund projects like bringing electricity to remote homes using solar panels.
As the former Senior Director of Membership for the Navy League of the United States in Washington, DC, he has a unique lens into the mission of the Navy League and brings that focus and belief to the New Jersey Council leadership. Even though his home is in the DC area, he routinely makes the trip to participate in outreach programs in New Jersey like street fairs, the Angel Program and change of command ceremonies that honor sailors of the year. He truly believes that the New Jersey Council takes to heart and believes to its core, that first and foremost, we are here to support the men and women of the sea services and their families. “Even though I was no longer with the national office, I didn’t want my time with the Navy League to end. With the New Jersey Council, actions speak louder than words and our goal every day is to reinforce that with the units that we support. I wanted to be part of that.”
