Chapter Officers

Dav/Officers

DAV CHAPTER 66 – PALM SPRINGS, CA

California’s DAV Chapter 66 is based in Palm Springs, located in Riverside County. It serves veterans in various cities throughout the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. Meetings are held at 10:30AM on the first Saturday of every month at American Legion Post 519, 400 N Belardo Rd, in downtown Palm Springs. Our officers, members, and volunteers take pride in providing a variety of valuable services to our fellow veterans.

Note: An * next to the name denotes that this person is a trained Chapter Service Officer, fully qualified to help you file your claims for service-connection, as well as securing medical and other VA benefits. Feel free to email or call any of them for personalized assistance.

Our dedicated officers, Noel Arvizu, Pete Silasn and Chad Shipley

CHAD SHIPLEY

COMMANDER AND CHAPTER SERVICE OFFICER

Chad served from 1986 until 1994 in the United States Marine Corps, and then another nine years in the United States Army reserve before retiring from service in 2014. During those seventeen years, Chad participated in the first Gulf War as well as both the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. As Logistics Officer in the Army Reserve, normal duties included the planning, organization, preparation and execution of unit movement/distribution operations.

In addition to numerous other areas of expertise, Chad held a Hazardous Materials Certification and Top Secret Security clearance, and was proficient in the Joint Operations Planning and Execution System (JOPES) and Joint Force Requirements Generator II (JFRG II.) ~ Among his many medals and commendations are the Navy Unit Citation, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Army Commendation Medal Third Award, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medals, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device and Silver Hour Glass, and others.

Since retiring, Chad has earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources.He is married and currently resides in Cathedral City.

Send Chad an email to ChadShipley@dav66.org or give him a call: 562-552-2187.

NOEL ARVIZU

SENIOR VICE COMMANDER

Noel served from 1995 – 1999 in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California with 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines. After an injury during an exercise with his unit, he was given an opportunity to transfer to Headquarters, 1st Marine Division to audit, streamline and consolidate joint travel and reimbursements.

Since his service time, he has work for San Diego Unified School District as a Behavior Support Specialist, Case Manager for DesertArc, and as a Home Care Professional. Noel has volunteered for several community groups to include (Church of St. Paul in the Desert, City of Palm Springs, DAV, and the American legion). He also sits on the House Committee of the American legion Post 519.

Noel graduated from California State University San Bernardino. He is married, has two children, and live in Palm Springs, CA.

Send Noel an email to limanoel@yahoo.com

SILAS “PETE” PETERSON

ADJUTANT AND MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN

“Pete” Silas, as he prefers to be called, is a Gulf War veteran who served in the US Navy from 1989 to 1992. His duty tours took him throughout the Persian Gulf Westpac, including Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Guam, and the United Arab Emirates. As an Aerdale, Pete worked as an aircraft handler while facilitating the movement, storage, take off and landing of a variety of aircraft. Among his medals and commendations are the Southwest Asian Award (second) and the combat action ribbon.

He is married with three children and currently resides in Cathedral City.

Send Pete an email to petelph10@yahoo.com.