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 VFW Post 5467, we are fortunate to have a proud history of dedicated individuals 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 Kennett Square Veterans of Foreign Wars for the 2024-2025 year.
Commander
Joe was elected Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in September 2020. Before that, he was the Senior Vice Commander. He is a Life Member of the VFW and has been a member of the Post since 2010.
Joe originally hales from Land O’ Lakes, FL, located just North of Tampa, and upon graduation from high school and attending a year in college, he entered the U.S. Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Technician from 1984 to 2008, serving and retiring after twenty-four years. During his tenure in the Air Force, he served in multiple overseas assignments, including Okinawa, Japan, Ramstein, Germany, and Osan, Korea. He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and graduated with a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science with dual specialization in Management and Safety. He is currently a Project Manager with Yulista Support Services, a government contractor supporting the Army Reserve National Guard. Joe is a divorcee but has raised one child, Jacob solely by himself.
Senior Vice Commander
Don was elected Senior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in April 2022. He is also the Secretary of the PA District 9 Motorcycle Riders Group.
Before the election, Don held the position of 3-Year Trustee.
Don served 36 years in the United States Army on active duty from 1984-1988, the U.S. Army Reserve /National Guard from 1988-1993, and the United States Army active duty from 1993 until retirement in 2020.
He joined the VFW in 2022 at Post 5467 in Kennett Square, where he maintains his life membership.
Upon graduating high school, he entered active duty as a Cannon Crewman in the Field Artillery. After his initial tour, he was in the Iowa National Guard and Army Reserves in Combat Engineer and Arctic Light Infantry units while attending the University of Iowa. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the U. S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer, returning to active duty. While on active duty, he had multiple overseas deployments, including to Bosnia, Iraq, and Djibouti.
Today Don is enjoying retirement and giving time to support the VFW and other Veterans. He is married to the former Jennifer Grote and they have five children Jacob, Derrick, Stephen, Hannah, and Cooper.
Junior Vice Commander
Ken was elected Junior Vice Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in January 2024. He is a Life Member of the VFW and has been a member of the Post since 2022.
Ken is originally from Klingerstown, Pa., and graduated from Shamokin Area High School. He entered the PA National Guard in 1988. He joined the US Army in 1990 as an Infantryman and retired in 2011.
During his tenure in the Army, he served in multiple overseas assignments, including Germany and Italy. He was also part of the lead element 3-325 ABN for Task Force Eagle and Operation
Joint Endeavor in Kosovo. In April 1999, he was again part of the lead element deployed to Albania for Operation "NOBLE ANVIL" at Tirana airport. When NATO forces moved into Kosovo in June 1999, 2-505 PIR was in the lead, performing an air assault movement to establish Camp Bondsteel. While assigned to the 101 ST ABN, AASLT from 2002 – 2009, he spent 3 1/2 years in Iraq supporting the invasion and through the surge during OIF and OEF.
Ken served as a Drill Seargent at Ft. Benning, GA., and finished his Army career as the Senior
Military Instructor at Widener University ROTC.
Today, Ken is the operations manager of a tooling company. He enjoys volunteering to support the VFW and other Veterans. He is married to his wonderful wife, Rhonda, and they have two wonderful children, Kendra and K.C., along with son-in-law Eric and granddaughter Nova Grace.
Quartermaster
Surgeon
George was appointed as Surgeon of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in March 2025. he also served as Quartermaster in 2024. George is a Life Member since 1991 and transferred to Post 5467 in 2022.
George served eight years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1985 to 1993 and was deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
He is originally from Wilkes-Barre PA, upon graduation from high school he entered the USMCR as a Motor Vehicle Operator from 1985 to 1993 serving for eight years. He attended Penn State University, graduated with a Nuclear Engineering degree, and later received a Masters in Engineering Management. He attended Officer Candidate School while in college but upon graduation, he decided to remain in the USMCR in the enlisted ranks.
Today, George is a Senior Project Manager with BloomEnergy and gives time to support the VFW and other Veterans. He is married to Sheryl Mariani, and they have two children, Austin and Ryan.
1st Year Trustee
Jennifer was elected 1st Year Trustee of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in April 2024.
Jen served 26 years in the United States Army, commissioning on active duty in 1995 and retiring in 2021.
She joined the VFW in 2022 at Post 5467 in Kennett Square where she maintains her life membership.
Jennifer attended the University of Iowa and joined the ROTC program. Upon graduation, she was commissioned and given an educational delay to complete her Master’s Degree in Public Health. After completing her master’s degree she entered active duty as an Environmental Science Officer. At retirement, she was the Director of the U. S. Army Public Health Command. She deployed to Kosovo as the Commander of a Preventive Medicine Detachment.
Today, Jennifer is enjoying retirement and giving time to support the VFW and other Veterans. She is married to Don McDannald, and they have five children: Jacob, Derrick, Stephen, Hannah, and Cooper.
2nd Year Trustee
3rd Year Trustee
Judge Advocate
Ed was elected Judge Advocate of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5467 in April 2022.
Before joining the VFW, Ed served in the United States Air Force Reserve for over 39 years. He
enlisted in the Air Force in December 1983 and attended Basic Training, followed by TechnicalSchool for Jet Engine Mechanics, arriving at Dover AFB in October 1984.
He served for eighteen years in the enlisted ranks to the level of Master Sergeant before taking
a commission in February 2002. As an Officer, Ed served in many leadership positions in the Maintenance Group organization at many bases: Dover, Pope, Niagara Falls, The Pentagon, and Pittsburgh. In 2010, he deployed to Al Udeid, Qatar, to support OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.
In March 2023, Ed retired from the Air Force.
Ed's transition to civilian life has been marked by thirty-five years with The Boeing Company in Ridley Park. As a Senior Manager in Business Development, he has been instrumental in marketing the CH-47 Chinook, the V-22 Osprey, and the MH-139 Grey Wolf. His academic achievements include a Master’s in Science. Ed's dedication to service continues with memberships and associations, such as the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA), the Penn State Alumni Association, the Reserve Organization of America, the American Legion, and his affiliation from Neumann University in Strategic Leadership, and a Bachelor’s from Pennsylvania State University in General Arts & Sciences. He is married to Kathy Hassiepen for 32 years, and they have two children, Ryan and Rachael.
Chaplain
Service Officer
Adjutant