Joseph John Zemlin, MS, CWO4 USN (Ret), is a distinguished and highly dynamic servant leader and veteran advocate with over two decades of executive leadership. As a newly appointed Director for the San Diego Veterans Coalition (SDVC) as of 2/22/2024, he brings expertise in organizational leadership, critical thinking, fiscal management, and nonprofit management. His passion for community service and his ability to build collaborative partnerships that restore hope and resiliency have been evident in his role as the CCCA President/Chief Executive Officer for a 501c3 nonprofit corporation since November 2016.
Previously, Mr. Zemlin has been instrumental in building grassroots organizational capacity, establishing new revenue streams, and fostering critical partnerships with organizations such as the Navy SEAL Foundation, San Diego Veterans Coalition, CIE, and private Foundations. Under his leadership, the organization has managed sound fiscal governance, distributed over 31 charitable micro-grants for emergency assistance, raised over $300,000.00, and established the CCCA Adams Family Educational Excellence Scholarship Program. Recognized for his outstanding community service, he received the CA State Senator Brian W. Jones Honors.
Joseph’s diverse professional background includes serving as a security director for the Navy Talent Acquisition Group Northern Plains, where he ensured a remarkable 96.4% risk management and security standards compliance for his region during the pandemic and Minneapolis riots. His experience extends to prior roles such as AmeriCorps VISTA and VISTA LEADER, TSA Headquarters Emergency Manager, NCIS Security Specialist Instructor, and Operations Director for Commander Navy Region Korea, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and public speaking abilities.
Armed with a Master of Science in Safety, Engineering, and Homeland Security, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration, both from National University in La Jolla, CA, Joseph Zemlin is well-equipped to lead the San Diego Veterans Coalition into a new era of excellence and community impact. His commitment to team building, regulatory compliance, and volunteer management positions him as a champion to the organization and the Greater San Diego community.