2026 Franklin D. LeValley Award
Congratulations to our 2026 Franklin D. LeValley Pillar of Excellence Award Recipient, Ryan Gallucci!
During this year's Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., the NACVSO Executive Board was proud to award Ryan Gallucci, Executive Director of the VFW National Office, the 2026 Franklin D. LeValley Pillar of Excellence Award.
Each year, the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers presents this award to a partner who exemplifies our core values—dedication, collaboration, humility, and mentorship—through steadfast commitment to improving the lives of veterans and strengthening the role of those who serve them.
Ryan's impact speaks for itself. Throughout his career at the VFW, he has served as deputy director of the National Legislative Service and director of the National Veterans Service before taking the helm as Executive Director. His leadership and expertise have been invaluable in building the coalitions behind landmark legislation like the PACT Act, and his focus remains fixed on real, measurable outcomes for veterans and their families.
Ryan's commitment to collaboration has strengthened bonds across the entire veteran community. His willingness to engage, organize, and seek out like-minded veteran organizations reflects a "combined arms" approach to advocacy—one embodied by the recently established cross-accreditation partnership between VFW and NACVSO. When the integrity of veterans' benefits came under threat from for-profit claims agents seeking to exploit veterans for financial gain, Ryan quickly organized not only VFW's response but also a multi-organizational effort to expose and stop the practice. He was among the first national leaders to build a partnership with NACVSO, inviting us to the table as trusted partners early on.
And perhaps most importantly, Ryan is a mentor. He is accessible, listens, and invests time in emerging leaders because he understands that strong advocacy depends on strong, connected people.
The Pillar of Excellence Award is named in honor of Franklin "Doug" LeValley, a founding figure in NACVSO's history whose legacy has shaped our organization. From assisting in crafting our first training curriculum and organizing our early conferences to testifying before Congress, Doug's contributions reflect a lifetime of advocacy defined by belief in the value of our shared mission.
As we celebrate this year's recipient, we also reflect on the values that guided Doug's work, and that continue to guide ours today. NACVSO congratulates Ryan Gallucci on this well-deserved honor and thanks all those whose leadership and partnership continue to make an impact on the lives of veterans and their families.