FALL 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Our Fall, 2019 Conference was our sophomore event and it was a huge success! We encouraged (and always do) feedback from everyone – from vendor, sponsor, speaker and attendee – and all of the comments were positive and lifting. We thank you for such a great kick off. Below are the highlights!
CONFERENCE PARTNERS
Morning Keynote Speaker:
ROBERT JONES
We are proud to welcome Bob Jones as our morning keynote speaker. Currently on the Board of Directors at AmeriVet Securities, Bob returned home to the United States after 62 months of captivity at the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ in Vietnam. Jones served in the United States Air Force as an F4D fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.
His resilience, perseverance in the face of adversity and commitment to duty serve as inspiration for the staff at AmeriVet Securities and the Expert Series. We recognize his service and thank him for his continued guidance and are looking forward to hearing him speak at our conference!
Robert Jones
Afternoon Keynote Speaker:
J.C. GLICK
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) JC Glick is a leadership consultant who advises at the strategic, operational, team and individual levels. He has a strong background in leadership development, executive personnel assessment and selection, strategy, coaching, counseling and developing innovative solutions to complex problems.
J.C. is currently a partner with MVP Development Group and a Partner Emeritus with Kenning Associates, after transitioning from the Army after 20 years of service. His last assignment was the Director of Victory College at Fort Jackson, leading the Army’s Leadership Development School, Resiliency School and the military’s only Physical Fitness School.
Jason Corbett (J.C.) Glick
J.C. is currently a partner with MVP Development Group and a Partner Emeritus with Kenning Associates, after transitioning from the Army after 20 years of service. His last assignment was the Director of Victory College at Fort Jackson, leading the Army’s Leadership Development School, Resiliency School and the military’s only Physical Fitness School. In his tenure as the Director, LTC Glick was responsible for the drafting and implementation of the Army’s Fitness Strategy through 2025, as well as the transformation of the Leadership Development School’s curriculum and the complete transformation of Basic Combat Training for every new Soldier entering the force. Previously JC commanded the 2nd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Before command JC served as the Deputy Commander of the 193rd Infantry Brigade. He assumed those duties after having been a Senior Service Chief’s Fellow at Defense Research Projects Agency located outside of Washington DC, as well as serving as the Chief of Future Operations at the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG) at Fort Meade, MD.
Prior to being selected to oversee targeting and future operations for the AWG, an Army Special Missions Unit, LTC Glick served as a team member, Team Leader, Squadron Operations Officer and Troop Commander in the AWG. Throughout his time with the unit he has multiple deployments in support of operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other areas, to include the Pacific and Africa Commands. He has acted as an advisor at the tactical, operational and strategic level, and directly supported the major Combatant Commands.
Before his assignment to the AWG, LTC Glick attended the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, RI, where he earned his Masters in National Security and Strategic Studies. He came to the NWC from 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Savannah, GA where he had commanded a Ranger Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. LTC Glick served in two Ranger Battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters and has over 7 years in the Ranger Regiment and over 7 and a half years (90 months) of command time with operational and combat deployments to Haiti, Bangladesh, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In addition to his Masters from NWC, LTC Glick holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rhode Island and is a Liberty Fellow, part of the Aspen Institute. He has earned 3 Bronze Stars, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Commendation Medal, and the Order of Saint Maurice.
JC is also the author of the books A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown, and Meditations of an Army Ranger: A Warrior Philosophy for Everyone.
JC is considered a thought leader in adaptive and proactive programs of instruction centered on the development of leadership behaviors and values suited to dynamic environments and situations of ambiguity and adversity. JC recently developed the “Prodromos Developmental Model”, a capacity-building system designed to develop people and leaders for the future, which is outlined in his first book. His methods have been featured in Forbes Magazine and the Huffington Post and his work is regularly referenced in Forbes, Inc., and Entrepreneur.
JC’s clients include Fortune 500 companies, international non-profit organizations, government agencies, the NFL, numerous NFL and NBA teams, and multiple NCAA programs.
OTHER FEATURED SPEAKERS
BOB ABATE
Special Guest
WWII Veteran Interviewer
Bob Abate
Listen To His Interview HERE:
Bob Abate attended the U.S. Naval Academy from 1959-‘63. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from Fordham University and a Masters of Business Administration from Manhattan College. Bob has had a diverse Sales & Marketing Management background in a variety of industries including Insurance, Computer Hardware/Software and Finance.
Once he retired, he began a very dedicated undertaking of thanking – in person – World War II Combat Veterans. Virtually each and every encounter was recorded and almost all were the first time the Veteran had openly shared his wartime experiences with anyone. The fact that Bob was a veteran and understood their terminology made the conversations fairly free and open.
Generally the first question a son or daughter might ask a Combat Veteran is “ … Hey, Dad, what did you do during the war?” Because their war was 24/7/365, no civilian or loved one could be expected to understand its true nature. Speaking to Bob – a stranger who understood – he could pretty well let it all out – the good and the not-so-good. No judgments were made and Bob would give each man a verbatim transcript of the interview – unedited – and it was his to do with as he wished.
In the process Bob made many personal friendships, obtaining honorary high school diplomas for several men, arranging a Congressional presentation for a UDT Frogman’s heroics at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, sharing their stories with a number of family members after their deaths and gathering a wide assortment of powerful stories.
In 1941-‘45 these men, many still teenagers, went forth and literally saved the world. Without their service and sacrifice, none of us would have the life we have and have had for the last 74 years. As such, Bob feels a moral obligation to share the stories of these men – our World War II Veterans – America’s Finest and Greatest Generation, whenever given the opportunity- such as at this Conference.
Bob also feels very strongly about Paying It Back and Forward and has been a Volunteer for twenty years working as a Math Tutor and Mentor with inner-city youth. He is also a very active and hands-on Grandfather with his three Grandchildren.
GEORGE ALTMAN
Deputy Managing Editor
Military Times
George Altman
In that time, he has overseen all of the Military Times rankings, including Best for Vets: Employers, Best for Vets: Colleges and Best for Vets: Places to Live. He leads Military Times’ transition coverage, and created the newest Military Times website, focused on transition issues, Rebootcamp, which has doubled its traffic since launching in early 2018.
Altman also assists with big data projects and other Military Times coverage. He has 13 years of experience as a journalist and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree from the University of Maryland.
MICHAEL ABRAMS
Founder
FourBlock
Michael Abrams
While attending business school, he founded the FourBlock Foundation to help bridge the gap between returning service members and the business community. Under his leadership, FourBlock expanded to twelve cities across the country, educating and serving hundreds of transitioning veterans each semester.
Michael is currently the Executive Director for the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, where he leads a team that utilizes innovative educational technologies to deliver best-in-class transition programming to veterans nationally. He has co-authored three books; Mission Critical: Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce, and two editions of a military transition guidebook titled Business Networking for Veterans. He is currently a term member at the Council on Foreign Relations and was recognized as one of the HillVets Top 100 Veteran Innovators of 2016. Michael is also currently serving in the Marine Corps Reserves as the executive officer for 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines. He was previously the battery commander of the unit in Chattanooga, TN, that sustained a homegrown terrorist attack in July 2015.
NICHOLAS ANTAKI
Managing Director
VETS Indexes
Nicholas Antaki
Nick began his professional career on Wall Street and most recently served as a management consultant to small and growing businesses with a niche focus on market-research firms. Previously, Nick served as the Business Development Manager for a California-based health products company and in a variety of financial services roles with Bernstein Global Wealth Management, Merrill Lynch and Citigroup.
Nicholas acquired both his B.S in Finance and MBA in International Business with honors from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University. He serves on the Board of Directors and as an Executive Officer of the Tobin Alumni Association is involved with more than a dozen philanthropic organizations. Nicholas also maintains several ministries at his Church and is active in his community. He is passionate about Impact Investing, Microfinance, Philanthropic Finance, Venture Philanthropy, Social Entrepreneurship and all innovative forms of using the power of business for good while doing well at the same time.
ROB BAREA
Director, Workplace Inclusion & Diversity
KPMG
Rob Barea
Prior to joining KPMG, Rob was the Diversity & Inclusion Leader and Engagement Program Leader at Marsh & McLennan Companies, supporting both Global and US Market and Office leadership teams in both colleague and client engagement with a focus on executing firm-wide Diversity & Inclusion strategic initiatives while improving representation and retention of underrepresented colleagues. Rob also worked closely with Business Resource Group Leaders at all levels ensuring programs and initiatives were in alignment with the business and people strategies and ultimately fostered an inclusive environment for all.
Rob is a retiree from the United States Army and New Jersey Army National Guard where he served for 20+ years. There he gained invaluable experience in Human Resources, Leadership Development and Project Management. Rob’s final assignment was as the principal staff officer for the Recruiting & Retention Command, overseeing all aspects of human resources for the organization as well as spearheading Diversity initiatives and programs as a contributing member to the Diversity Council for the State (NJ).
MICHAEL BIANCHI
Sr. Dir., Education & Career Training
Institute for Veterans and Military Families
Michael Bianchi
He is a native of Waterloo, New York, where he enlisted in the Army in 1987 as an Infantryman – serving with the 101st Airborne, Fort Campbell, KY, and achieving the rank of Sergeant prior to entering the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Southern Illinois University.
In 1994, Mike was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Aviation Branch. Upon completion of flight school, he was assigned to Germany as a Blackhawk Platoon Leader; participating in numerous operations throughout Europe to include Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Returning from Germany, he served in various assignments throughout the US to include: Company Commander – 10th Aviation Brigade, Embedded Training Team Chief – 203rd Corps Afghan National Army in Afghanistan, Executive Officer – US Army Syracuse Recruiting Battalion, Professor of Military Science – Saint Bonaventure University, finally culminating 28 years of service as the Professor of Military Science at Syracuse University.
MICHAEL BOCCHINI
Deputy Director
New York State Division of Veterans’ Services
Michael Bocchini
BETH CONLIN
Sr. Advisor for Careers
Blue Star Families
Beth Conlin
Beth holds an MBA from Chaminade University of Honolulu and a BS in Communications from the University of Idaho.
SIMON COOMBE
Head of Talent Acquisition for the America’s
Nasdaq
Simon Coombe
He has 14 years’ experience in Talent Acquisition, working with some of the biggest Financial Services companies in the World including Barclays, Royal Bank of Canada and JP Morgan.
Simon has always been at the forefront of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategies within the organizations he has worked for, ensuring the TA teams he has managed have diversity front of mind, and that they are presenting a broad spectrum of candidates to managers.
Simon has been working with veteran talent for several years, and has had success working with veteran organizations and placing skilled individuals in to roles in Compliance, Project/Program Management, infrastructure technology and cyber security.
MONA DEXTER
Sr. Dir. of Operations and Communications for Hiring Our Heroes
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Mona Dexter
SHERRI EILER
Program Manager, Military Programs
Walmart
Sherri Eiler
QUAMID FRANCIS
Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Engagement & Community Services
NYC Dept of Veterans’ Services
Quamid Francis
Before joining the DVS Team, Quamid served as a Policy Officer for the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. In this position, he assisted with drafting various citywide policies and managed the tracking and reporting of Capital and Expense projects.
Quamid is a veteran of the War in Afghanistan and spent 8 years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Financial Auditor and Contract Payment Certifying Official. He holds an MPA in Policy and Management from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and Management from Baruch College. He has also earned a “Leading with Finance” certificate from Harvard Business School Online.
Quamid was awarded the Presidential Bronze Award for Community Volunteer work by President Obama.
JAY GARCIA
Global Veterans Program Manager
Fortinet
Jay Garcia
Prior to Fortinet, Jay supported recruiting, onboarding, curriculum development, equal opportunity, training and development, and sales support operations at the United States Marine Corps. He also held sales and quality control leadership roles, and was co-founder of California Marine Families, a non-profit organization that provides support to service members and their families.
Jay has excelled in the cyber-security industry by capitalizing on a flexible blend of human resources, sales, technical and business development skills, and by applying the intangible traits acquired in his 20-year military career.
Leveraging this experience and the passion for helping Veterans, Jay focuses on developing best-practice based Veteran recruiting initiatives, diversity and inclusion amongst partners in the cyber-security industry. For his efforts, Jay was awarded the Young AFCEA’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2018 and Fortinet was honored with Military Times Best for Vets Employer Award in 2019.
Jay manages Fortinet’s Global Veterans Program and actively promotes their transition into the cyber-security industry. He has presented at numerous companies and military bases around the United States and major cyber commands. He is a Fortinet Network Security Academy Expert-3.
JOSHUA HARTLEY
Sr. Manager, Veterans Advocacy Leader
PwC
Joshua Hartley
Josh served seven years as a Marine Infantry Officer, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Upon completion of two combat deployments as a Combined Anti-Armor Team Platoon Commander and Company Commander, Josh was appointed to a coveted position serving as a combat instructor to commissioned officers at The Basic School, with a focus on teaching leadership, tactics, & strategy that forged young Americans into Marine Officers prepared for combat.
Prior to taking on his current role at PwC, he served 5 years as a Financial Services Consultant to some of the world’s largest international financial institutions. Having a passion for supporting his fellow veterans, Joshua advocated for veterans while conducting financial service engagements. Beyond internal advocacy, he served and serves as an Associate Instructor for FourBlock and a veteran mentor through American Corporate Partners. In 2019, Josh was asked to serve as the firm’s Veterans Advocacy Leader, where he serves today.
MARTHA JACKSON
Assistant Commissioner, Employment and Business Relations
NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities
Martha Jackson
Ms. Jackson established MOPD’s first Business Development Council, and in partnership with the Institute for Career Development (ICD), developed the only Cisco IT Training Academy for New Yorkers with disabilities which launched August 2018.
In collaboration with NYC Office of Consumer and Worker Protection, Office of Financial Empowerment and National Disability Institute and supported by Citi Community Development, Martha was instrumental in creating EMPOWERED NYC, the first ever financial coaching program specifically for New Yorkers with disabilities and their families.
Prior to MOPD, Martha established Career Services for people with visual disabilities and deaf/hard of hearing for Goodwill NYNJ, where she incorporated train to place programs in production, e-commerce, customer service and support, including a brick and mortar call center handling reservations for several international airlines.
She proudly served as Goodwill NYNJ’s director of Operation: Good Jobs (OGJ), the national veteran and military families’ employment initiative funded by Walmart Foundation. Martha and her team created a placement model that incorporated a coalition of veteran organizations sharing employer networks and services, securing employment for veterans/family members.
Martha co-chaired the Workforce Development Committee of NY State Rehabilitation Council of ACCES-VR for 3 terms. She was named Assistant Commissioner, Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities in 2016 and is the recipient of the 2018 City and State CSR Award for Diversity and Inclusion.
ANDREW MORTON
Lt. Col. (Retired)
Dir. Veterans and Certification Affairs
SHRM
Andrew Morton
Andrew also serves as spokesman for SHRM Certification in support of SHRM’s Chief Knowledge Officer, Dr. Alex Alonso. Prior to his current role within SHRM, Andrew spent five years serving as SHRM’s Director of Social Engagement, leading SHRM’s social media program and team.
Before joining SHRM in 2014, Andrew worked with a leading PR firm managing Fortune 500 brand and advocacy campaigns. Andrew is a retired Army Infantry-Officer who served in multiple leadership and command positions as well as overseas and combat tours including deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, Macedonia and Egypt. During his 21-year Army career Andrew also served in multiple senior public affairs positions including Chief of Media Outreach for Multi-National Force-Iraq, Chief of Marketing and Advertising for the Army Reserve, and the Director of Digital and Social Media for the Army Reserve.
Andrew is passionate about efforts to foster awareness and resources in support of mental health and our workplace- across all employees. Most importantly, Andrew serves as “Working-Dad” to his three wonderfully-exhaustive kids at their home headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
WON PALISOUL, CFE
Chair of Veterans Roundtable
CFA Society New York (CFANY)
Won Palisoul
In 2012, Won was named a Veteran Associate at the New York Stock Exchange. Later that year, she became a Mission Continues Fellow, and served as a Local Chapter Coordinator at Student Veterans of America. She was an Office Manager at a retirement fund with over $6 billion AUM and worked for a self-regulatory organization examining Swap Dealers with OTC Derivatives activities exceeding the $8 billion material swaps exposure threshold. Currently, she is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and works for a hedge fund as a Senior Compliance Officer.
Given her passion in helping veterans, she founded the Women Veterans and Families Network (WVFN). Won is also a Defense Council Member at Truman Project, Sister on the Planet Ambassador at OxFam America, Chair of Veterans Roundtable at CFA Society New York (CFANY) and Co-Lead of Women Veterans on Wall Street (wVOWS), a subcommittee of Veterans on Wall Street (VOWS). She holds an M.A. in Information Technology Management from Webster University, and an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies, where she is an adjunct associate faculty member. She resides in Manhattan with her husband, who is also a U.S. Navy veteran, and two children.
JAMES A. PERDUTO
Head of Global Talent Acquisition
Fiserv
James A. Perduto
Under his leadership, the company’s primary diversity brand, First Data Salutes was named “No. 1 Best for Vets: Employer” by Military Times for three consecutive years.
Prior to joining First Data in 2014 James held a leadership role within the military and veteran affairs team at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he served as executive director and co-head of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, now the Veteran Jobs Mission. Prior to working at JPMorgan, James led business development and operations management positions in the transportation software industry and government service.
James received a master’s degree, with honors, in International Trade and Transportation Management and a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation from New York Maritime College. Upon graduation, he commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and earned a license as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Captain Perduto is a twenty-eight year veteran of the United States Navy, and currently serves as a leader within the Strategic Sealift Program based in Norfolk, VA. In 2008, he graduated from the senior leader, joint military education program at the United States Marine Corps University, Command Staff College.
He also serves as the national advisor to Fiserv’s Military Affinity Group, a Navy League of the United States’ national vice president, and as an advisory council member for the Veteran Jobs Mission. He was selected as a member of the New York Athletic Club men’s lacrosse A-team for 6 seasons and has been an NYAC and American Legion Post #754 member since 1995.
James resides in Garden City, NY with his wife and their son.
CHRISTOPHER PLAMP
Retired Colonel, CEO
Hire Heroes USA
Christopher Plamp
When he first joined Hire Heroes USA, Christopher served as Director of Veteran Programs. He was promoted to Chief Programs Officer in 2015, Chief Operating Officer in 2017, and Chief Executive Officer in 2018. He holds a Master’s in Military Art and Science, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies. He also has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy.
HILL PLUVIOSE
Intern
CBS Veterans Network
Hill Pluviose
In September 2002, he set out for Marine Corps boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. As the first person in his family to join the service, he did not know what to expect. While in boot camp, his Drill Instructors immediately saw leadership in him and made him a Squad Leader. On graduation day, Hill was promoted to Private First Class.
Hill served as a Corporal in Iraq, in 2005, with the Combat Logistics Battalion, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As a Corporal, he managed a section of Combat Logistics Battalion’s daily logistical operations in Iraq, while supervising and mentoring junior Marines. In his last four months in the Marine Corps, Hill worked as a Military Police officer.
After serving in the military, Hill was hired by private contracting companies to work in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. Hill has worked as a Combat Logistic Specialist, an Electronic Warfare Field Service Technician and an Electronic Technician.
In 2012, Hill left Afghanistan to pursue his college education. Hill’s attained his first Bachelor’s Degree, in Film Production, from Brooklyn College and is currently working on his second B.A. in Marketing. Concurrently, Hill has worked for the Major League Baseball streaming services and at Disney+.
Since April of 2019, Hill has been interning at CBS Corporation with the CBS Veterans Network.
TIMOTHY ROJAS
Veteran Associate in Equity Research Sales
Guggenheim Securities
Timothy Rojas
Timothy Rojas joined the United States Army in April 2012 as a Signals Intelligence Analyst and was stationed in Fort Hood, Texas as his permanent party station. In 2013, Timothy was deployed to FOB Fenty in Jalalabad, Afghanistan where his mission was to intercept and exploit enemy communications. His actions helped facilitate the force protection of more than 400,000 personnel located throughout Nangahar Province. During his deployment, Timothy would become the first U.S. Army soldier to operate the Silver Fox UAV. In 2016, Timothy went on to win the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade’s 2016 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year Competition.
After five years of active duty service, Timothy transitioned out of the military with an honorable discharge and was accepted to Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business. He maintains a 3.85 GPA and is expected to graduate in May 2020 with a major in finance, minor in economics, and a concentration in value investing. In 2018, Timothy joined Guggenheim Securities as a Veteran Associate in Financial Planning & Analysis and in June 2019, he moved into the Institutional Equity Research Sales Desk.
DIEGO RUBIO
Manager, Advisory Services
Ernst & Young LLP
Diego Rubio
JULIA RUDDOCK
Assistant Dir. Career Services
West Point Association of Graduates
Julia Ruddock
Julia joined West Point AOG in 2018. Prior to her current role, she was the Executive Director of Career Services for Saint Leo University. There, she led service delivery transformation across the institution which expanded the reach of the program and employers from 2,500 campus-only students to all 15,000 (including 7,000 military Veterans) across the institution’s 35 regional locations and online. Julia entered higher education at The University of Tampa as Manager of Employer Development, where she upgraded the campus recruiting program to better account for economic development activities in the Tampa Bay marketplace.
Prior to higher education, Julia was Senior Vice President and Head of Communications for the expanding Citi Service Center in Tampa. As a member of the site Senior Leadership Team, she led site strategy development & execution while managing public affairs to support 6,000 employees and 20 of Citi’s businesses and global functions. She also chaired the Citi Tampa Military Veterans Network and the site’s People Strategy Committee.
Prior to financial services and higher education, Julia was an Army Engineer Captain and served five years in construction project management, including leading the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ post-conflict reconstruction mission in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
Julia holds a Master of Arts in Diplomacy from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering and Arabic from West Point. She also serves on the advisory board of Harvest, a workforce analytics startup based in Tampa.
MIKE SANCHEZ
Investment Banking Associate
Citigroup Global Markets
Mike Sanchez
Prior to joining Citigroup, Mr. Sanchez spent over seven years in the U.S. Navy as a Nuclear Submarine Officer. In 2011, Mike reported for duty in Seattle, Washington, aboard the USS Seawolf (SSN-21), the lead ship of her class. During this tour of duty, Mike completed a six-month Arctic deployment that involved five top-secret missions vital to national security in the Northern Atlantic Ocean and two submerged transits of the polar ice cap. The highlight of this deployment was when Mike was hand-selected by the Captain to surface the 9000-ton Seawolf through the Arctic ice at the North Pole, a complex operation rarely conducted by a junior officer.
Immediately following his sea tour, Mike reported for duty at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as the Assistant Director for the Navy Wounded Warrior Program for Naval District Washington D.C. Eventually becoming the Acting Director, Mike was responsible for overseeing the non-medical care for over 120 severely ill, injured, or combat wounded sailors and coast guardsmen, as well as ten senior military and civilian staff members.
Born in Miami, Florida, Mr. Sanchez earned a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from Florida State University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In his free time, Mike enjoys playing guitar, hanging out with his rescue cat Bobo, and listening to the music of Led Zeppelin.
LEO SHANE
Deputy Managing Editor
Military Times
Leo Shane III
His beats cover Capitol Hill, the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs. His past work included defense and veterans reporting at Stars and Stripes and overseas coverage of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
In 2010, Shane was part of a team of reporters who received a Polk Award and a National Headliner Award for stories that revealed the military’s practice of profiling journalists in Afghanistan in an attempt to steer coverage of the war. Prior to his national work, Shane covered state and local politics for newspapers in Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware.
KARL SNYDER
Managing Dir. and Chief Market Strategist
VETS Indexes
Karl Snyder
Previously, Karl was the Chief Market Strategist of Garden State Securities where his primary responsibility involved directing managed portfolios for the Advisors and clients of the firm. Mr. Snyder began his financial services career as a Registered Investment Advisor with American Express Financial Advisors in 2000. Karl has worked for several boutique firms as a Registered Investment Advisor where he honed his study of technical analysis within capital markets.
Karl is a member of the Market Technicians Association and holds the Chartered Market Technician designation. In addition, he is a series 86/87 licensed research analyst. Mr. Snyder studied at Rutgers University and served in the United States Marine Corps with 5th Battalion 10th Marines 2nd Marine Division as a non-commissioned officer. While on active duty, Karl deployed with the 24th MEU for Operation Continue Hope in Somalia.
ANDREW TILGHMAN
Executive Editor
Military Times
Andrew Tilghman
BRUCE TOWNSHEND
Chief, Employer Engagement
DOD | ESGR
Bruce Townshend
Mr. Townshend is a native of Lowell, Massachusetts, where he enlisted in the Army in 1981 as a military policeman. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston, graduating in 1987. He was commissioned as an officer in the Military Police Corps through ROTC. He is a 2004 graduate of the Defense Information School and is a qualified Public Affairs Officer. He served a combined total of 28 years in the Army and Army Reserve, with assignments in Alabama, Virginia and Washington, and overseas assignments in Panama and Germany. He has served in Korea and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 416th Engineer Command from Darien, Illinois, in 2003. For the final three years of his career, he mobilized with the Army Reserve and was a primary developer of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) as a project and program manager up to his retirement in 2011.
Mr. Townshend has three grown children and six grandchildren, all of whom reside in the State of Washington. He is an avid firearms enthusiast and poker player, and is fiercely proud of his Scots-Irish heritage. He has been to all 50 states. He currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES
