FALL 2021 HIGHLIGHTS
Our Fall, 2021 Conference was all virtual (for obvious reasons) 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 event. Below are the highlights!
CONFERENCE SPONSORS AND FRIENDS
CONFERENCE PARTNERS
Fall 2021 Keynote Speaker:
SHAUN STEPHENSON
Program Manager, Strategic Military/Veterans Outreach and Recruiting
Training Functional Area Manager, Strategic Human Resource Management Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
Shaun Stephenson is currently building the military and veteran pipeline at LLNL. In addition, he has oversight responsibility for Institutional Training. Before Shaun’s current role he was the Division Leader for Training and Development with responsibility for leadership and professional development at the laboratory.
Shaun Stephenson
Before joining the LLNL, Shaun worked for Ernest and Julio Gallo Winery. He began his career in Operations where he led the Bottling and Receiving operations throughout the Supply Chain process. Shaun led the first implementation of Automated Guided Vehicles in the wine industry. He led Corporate Training where he was responsible for the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of training as well as mentor and recognition programs. He helped champion the highly successful Management/Leadership Development Program at Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery and was a co-recipient of a Gold Medal from the Chief Learning Officer Magazine.
Before joining Gallo, Shaun served as both an enlisted and Marine Corps officer. He attended the United States Naval Academy where he played football for Navy. He served in the Special Operations and Light Armored Reconnaissance community’s as well as in the Training and Development field specializing in numerous ground combat areas. Shaun served in the western pacific on multiple deployments serving in Desert Shield/Storm and numerous humanitarian operations.
Shaun is a passionate speaker, educator, and mentor in academic institutions, associations, and athletic teams in the leadership arena. He is reaching today’s youth, young adults, and leaders with a strong message in developing principally centered character. His authentic, inspirational message focuses on service and sacrifice and has a clear connection to the adversity faced today. He is compelled to work diligently to help mold leaders in society with integrity, humility, and respect educating them on the endless possibilities that come with perseverance, accountability, and servant leadership. Shaun was featured in Sports Illustrated, Readers Digest and the Baltimore Magazine. Key advocates of the program are Patrick Lencioni (5 Dysfunctions of a Team), Rick Riley (ESPN- Sports Illustrated), John Feinstein (Sports Author and Writer), Admiral Lynch (former Superintendent United States Naval Academy), Senator Orrin Hatch (previous US Senator), Kathryn Booth (Warner Brothers Productions), the Honorable Bush family, and David Solo (former CEO Boys and Girls Clubs Marin County).
Shaun is a senior advisor partnering with StoryRock Inc. Remember My Service Division, seeking essential funding for commemorative book and documentary distribution recognizing Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War Veterans.
Shaun earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland in 1996. He’s trained and certified in numerous Developmental specialties. He’s married to his wife Jennifer for twenty-five years and has two children – Taylor (22) and Cameron (20).
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Our speaker line-up is growing every day. Please check back often!
GEORGE ALTMAN
Managing Director
VETS Indexes
George Altman, Managing Director | VETS Indexes
George Altman is a Managing Director of VETS Indexes where he leads the firm’s proprietary survey, ranking and recognition programs.
Prior to VETS Indexes and for the past 8 years, George led the Best for Vets series of rankings at Military Times, including Best for Vets: Employers and Best for Vets: Colleges, overseeing all aspects of the process, from survey design to response evaluation to preparing the results for publication.
George worked for 14 years as a journalist, specializing in data projects, veterans’ issues and the federal and state government. George was the Editor for Special Projects at Military Times, where he oversaw the organization’s coverage of veteran employment, education and transition out of the military.
George has appeared on cable news and worked extensively in front of the camera, conducting interviews, producing video content, and making TV and radio guest appearances. He has spoken about veterans’ issues at the Employing U.S. Vets Conference, the Council of College and Military Educators, and the Service Members of the Year Awards.
George lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Carrie, daughter Zoe and Moe, his cat.
NICHOLAS ANTAKI
Director of Marketing
Managing Director
VETS Indexes
Nicholas Antaki, Director of Marketing, Managing Director | VETS Indexes
Nicholas Antaki serves as the Director of Marketing for VETS Indexes where he is charged with promoting the strategic vision and value proposition of the firm. Nick leads the marketing team with a laser focus on executing upon the overall marketing and branding initiatives throughout the many marketplaces in which the firm endeavors. Mr. Antaki joined VETS Indexes in July of 2017 and brings this role seasoned leadership supported by a track record of success.
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.
JULIA ARNOLD
Supplier Diversity Program Manager Commercial Inclusion SBLO
Hewlett Packard | Enterprise
Julia Arnold Supplier Diversity Program Manager Commercial Inclusion SBLO | Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Julia has many years of experience within the technology industry specializing in procurement strategy and business operations with a longstanding passion for Environmental and Social Governance. Julia focuses her time on Corporate Social Responsibility efforts and supporting Inclusion & Diversity initiatives for employees to drive progress within HPE as well as influence commercial industry trends.
JAMES M. BEAMESDERFER
Vice President, Veterans Initiatives
Prudential Financial
James M. Beamesderfer, Vice President, Veterans Initiatives | Prudential Financial
Jim Beamesderfer is a vice president for Prudential’s Office of Veterans Initiatives. He is responsible for the company’s internal veterans programs, which includes supporting Diversity and Inclusion activities, implementing the communications strategy and overseeing philanthropic activity in coordination with internal business partners. In addition, he oversees the VETalent program that in partnership with the nonprofit organization Workforce Opportunity Services, recruits, trains and hires Iraq and Afghanistan-era military veterans and military spouses. Beamesderfer has been a driving force behind the development of the company’s military spouse employment program and was recently appointed as the Co-Chair of the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Hereos Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council. He also plays a key role in expanding the VETalent program and other Military Talent employment programs to other companies around the country.
Beamesderfer joined Prudential in 1997. Prior to his current role, he was a director, Information Systems in Prudential’s Individual Life Insurance business where he supported Prudential Advisors technology functions such as Customer Relationship Management, marketing and financial planning, and provided cross-business support to Group Insurance Affinity Marketing.
Prior to joining Prudential, Beamesderfer was a captain in the U.S. Army, serving six years in Infantry units.
Beamesderfer has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. He also earned the Project Management Professional designation.
Beamesderfer is an active member of the Rutgers Business School Military and Veteran Advisory Board.
GEORGE BERNLOEHR
Lead Associate, Corporate Affairs/Military and Veteran Affairs
Booz Allen Hamilton
George Bernloehr, Lead Associate Corporate Affairs/Military and Veteran Affairs | Booz Allen Hamilton
George launched his professional career serving in the US Navy as an avionics technician, was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and later was commissioned as a Naval Aerospace Maintenance Officer. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering Technology from Excelsior College in Albany, NY. He lives in Cumming, Georgia.
JOHN S. BERRY JR.
Defense Attorney
Berry Law
John S. Berry Jr., Defense Attorney | Berry Law
John graduated from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia (B.A. 1997) and Creighton University School of Law, cum laude (2003). He is also a graduate of the National Criminal Defense College at Mercer Law School in Macon, Georgia and the Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, WY. John maintains an AV Preeminent designation from Martindale Hubbell, and has been recognized as one of the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers for over 7 years. John as presented and lectured in the areas of criminal defense trial skills, veterans’ disability appeals, and military leadership.
JASON BOONE
Enterprise Talent Sourcing Leader
Jacobs
Jason Boone, Enterprise Talent Sourcing Leader | Jacobs
Beyond Jacobs Jason facilitates LinkedIn workshops for professionals, corporations, and nonprofits. Outside his career Jason has been active in his community through the school board and Rotary Club. He is a graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis program Leadership St. Louis and holds an MBA from the University of Missouri Kansas City and bachelor’s from the University of Illinois. Jason travels the country, seeking the next great hike, as a full-time RVer while his two sons attend Clemson University.
JESSICA BRISEÑO
Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager
AT&T Global Supply Chain & Logistics
Jessica Briseno, Sr. Supplier Diversity Sourcing Manager | AT&T Global Supply Chain & Logistics
COURTNEY BROWN
Military Talent Network Manager
Maximus
Courtney Browne, Military Talent Network Manager | Maximus
In her tenure at Maximus, Courtney has not only started a successful Veteran Recruitment Program but has created a training program at Maximus to assist talent acquisition members source and retain veteran talent. To further the talent acquisition component of the Maximus Veteran Recruitment Program, Courtney has established partnerships with MSEP (Military Spouse Employment Partnership), WWP (Wounded Warrior Program), Veteran Jobs Mission and various local CBO s (Community Based organizations) in the U.S. Further, Courtney served as an instrumental member in facilitating the Veteran Recognition Program at Maximus. Since the recognition program’s inception at Maximus less than three years ago, veteran satisfaction in the workplace has seen a stark increase.
This year, Courtney successfully led Maximus by way of completion of applications, interviews, and implementation of organizational practices to be awarded the VETS Indexes Employer Award, Military Friendly Employer award by Viqtory and be listed in the U.S. Veterans Magazine’s 2021 Top Veteran-Friendly Companies. In addition, her efforts have garnered Maximus Military Friendly Employer Gold Status and Military Friendly Supplier Diversity Program Designation for 2022.
Courtney holds four master’s degrees and a baccalaureate degree. She is a Navy veteran and serves as a Board Member and Human Resource Director for the non-profit group ReGroup4Vets. In addition, Courtney is a 2021 Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America awards recipient.
ROMUALDO “MO” CISNEROS JR
Outreach Specialist / Intake Coordinator
St Louis & Kansas City Carpenters Regional Council
Romualdo “Mo” Cisneros Jr, Outreach Specialist / Intake Coordinator | St Louis & Kansas City Carpenters Reginal Council
It was by chance that I developed a knack for teaching, since I thought my learning days were over when I became a Journeyman. I poured myself into going back to college and learning everything I could to be an effective teacher and along the way discovered a true passion for helping others learn a trade that is fulling as Carpentry. With 13 years of instructing experience and many contacts with local Career Centers our Regional council promoted me to the position of Outreach Specialist, in a fulltime capacity.
Now I use my understanding of education needs, plus building trades, to recruit people (servicemembers) and students from all walks of life into our apprenticeship. And I can truly say that I enjoy talking about our Pathways into our program at Career Fairs, advisory committee meeting and Virtual talks on-line. It all brings awareness to that fact that not everyone is cut out for college and there is a skills gap in our generations, who have no idea how satisfying a career in the union trades can be.”
SIDNEY COVINGTON, LMSW
Associate, Veterans Engagement
AmeriVet Securities
Sidney Covington, LMSW Associate, Veterans Engagement | AmeriVet Securities
RODNEY CRABLE
Project Manager, Military & Veterans Affairs
Comcast NBCUniversal
Rodney Crable, Project Manager, Military & Veteran Affairs | Comcast NBCUniversal
ROSS DICKMAN
Chief Operating Officer
Hire Heroes USA
Ross Dickman Chief Operating Officer | Hire Heroes USA
During his 12-year Army career he served in multiple leadership and staff roles as a AH-64D Apache Helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His awards include the Air Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. He later served as an Aide-de-Camp at the U.S. Army Combat Readiness and Safety Center, and as a Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Mr. Dickman’s final Army assignment was as the Executive Officer of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic.
He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Comparative Politics from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology and Leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia. He resides in Connecticut with his wife and daughter.
ANTHONY FELICE
Managing Partner
Drexel Hamilton
Anthony Felice, Managing Partner | Drexel Hamilton
Prior to joining Drexel Hamilton, he was in-house counsel for a boutique investment bank and held various positions at the firm’s private equity parent company. Preceding his work at financial firms, Felice was a practicing attorney in the corporate, securities, and tax areas.
Tony is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, where he was a 4-year Letterman and team captain on Army’s NCAA Division I Ice Hockey team. After graduating from West Point, he served on active duty an officer in the United States Army. He holds a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law and is a member of the State of Florida and District of Columbia Bars. He also holds Series 7, 24, & 63 FINRA Licenses.
KELLY FRENCH
Veteran Talent Acquisition Program Specialist
United Rentals, Inc.
Kelly French, Veteran Talent Acquisition Program Specialist | United Rentals Inc.
My responsibilities include leading veteran and spouse recruiting initiatives across North America along with leading the charge with our internal veteran program for post 9/11 veteran; STEP (Service to Employment Program) that includes skilled labor training.”
PATRICK HANLEY
Section Manager – BW Overhead
Con Edison
Patrick Hanley, Section Manager - BW Overhead | Con Edison
Patrick Hanley was born and raised in Queens, NY, obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from SUNY Binghamton and master’s degree in environmental studies from Adelphi University. After graduating from Binghamton, Patrick worked as an adjunct faculty member at Nassau Community College and then moved on to teaching science at Christ the King High School in Queens, NY. He held positions at the Institute for Community Living, a non-profit serving NYC’s homeless, and the New York City Office of Emergency Management before joining Con Edison in 2006. Within Con Edison he has held several positions in include Senior Scientist in Environmental, Health and Safety, and Section Manager within System Operation. In 2018 Patrick moved to Bronx/Westchester Electric Operations as the Section Manager of the Equipment Group/Substation Maintenance and new serves as the Section Manager of Bronx/Westchester Overhead. In 2002 Patrick enlisted in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, earning his reserve commission as an Ensign in 2004 and currently holds the rank of Commander. As a member of the Coast Guard, he has served in various roles to include performing security and contingency operations in the Port of New York/New Jersey, environmental operations within Long Island Sound, deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay as the Operations Chief for the Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Detachment, and most recently served within the Joint Staff, J7. He is currently assigned as the Senior Reserve Officer for USCG Sector Ohio Valley.
DANIELLE HARO
Senior Program Development Specialist
USO
Danielle Haro, Senior Program Development Specialist | USO
CHUCK KLUBALL
Military Relations Leader
The Home Depot
Chuck Kluball, Military Relations Leader | The Home Depot
MICHAEL MELL
Senior Director, Custom Indices
S&P Dow Jones Indices
Michael Mell | Senior Director, Custom Indices | S&P Dow Jones Indices
Prior to joining S&P DJI, Michael was a Senior Associate at Infosys Technologies in their financial services practice, where he provided management consulting solutions to firms such as Goldman Sachs and Capital One Financial.
Michael attended the UC Berkeley executive education Product Management Program and holds a master’s degree from Columbia University in international affairs, with a concentration in organization and management. He received his bachelor’s from Connecticut College. Michael has been a guest lecturer and speaker on custom indexing and ETFs at the University of West Virginia’s Business School, Rutgers Business School’s MBA and Master of Quantitative Finance Programs, New Jersey City University’s Business School, and the University of Miami’s Business School. Michael is also a volunteer career mentor to U.S. military veterans through American Corporate Partners (ACP) and is always looking to introduce potential mentors to ACP.
LEE J. METCALF
Rear Admiral, USN (ret)
Vice President
Daugherty Business Solutions
Lee J. Metcalf, Vice President, Daugherty Business | Solutions State Chairman, Missouri: Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve ESGR, Emeritus | Rear Admiral, USN (ret)
Upon leaving active duty in 1982, and concurrently with his Navy Reserve career, Lee joined McDonnell-Douglas holding positions of increasing responsibility, included managing the McDonnell Aircraft Organizational Development function, heading the HR and Finance functions for McDonnell-Douglas Australia Pty, Ltd, and leading the implementation of Total Quality Management System (TQMS) for the F-15 program.
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Lee formed Metcalf Group and spent the next seven years providing performance management support to clients as diverse as Anheuser-Busch, Toledo Public School System, University of Bucharest, Earthgrains and the City of St. Louis, before transitioning back to the corporate position of Director for Organizational Development for Sara Lee Corporation. After retiring from the Navy in 2010 Lee joined Daugherty Business Solutions as the Vice President supporting their work in both the public and commercial sectors. Lee is especially proud of his role with Daugherty’s deep support for community improvement and for Diversity and Inclusion in every Regional Office across the company.
Deeply committed to the economic development of St. Louis, youth development and veteran support, Lee services on many Boards including VetJobs, the St. Louis Science Center, the St. Louis Workforce Development Board, The Navy League, The Magic House, Cystic Fibrosis and past board member at Webster University.
Additionally, Lee recently completed six years as Chairman for the DoD office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for the state of Missouri where he coordinated the work of over 100 volunteers, working directly with the Governor and Missouri National Guard Commander in support of over 23,000 Guard and Reservists residing in Missouri.
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Through them he supports a wide range of youth development and STEAM initiatives. He is the Co-Founder of the St. Louis Regional STEAM Alliance and the St. Louis Regional Alliance For The Troops. He was instrumental in bringing the largest single grant by DoN to any STEM program in the US; $2.1M to the Youth Exploring Science (YES) program at the Science Center.
A special note is his most recent area of focus; structuring a new pipeline for talent to meet the explosive demand for Information Technology professionals. Teamed with the CEO of Daugherty and CIO’s from around the region, Lee has led the creation of a program that has become known as Access Point. Driving new levels of cooperation between area CIO’s, Higher Ed Institutions and area School District Superintendents, this program is successfully addressing the diversity issue in the IT industry. Young women and youth of color are significantly under represented in this employment sector. The key is connecting with students while still in high school and putting them on a highly scripted path to pre-identified entry level software engineering jobs in area corporations. Over 17 School Districts in this region are participating with expansion to Minneapolis and Atlanta in 2022. https://accesspointprogram.com/
Lee and his spouse of 47 years, Sue, are native St. Louisans who are delighted to have two amazing grown children and two more even more amazing grandchildren, all residing in the St. Louis area.
JOSE OCASIO-CHRISTIAN
Chief Executive Officer
Caelus Partners, LLC
Jose Ocasio-Christian, Chief Executive Officer | Caelus Partners, LLC, Washington, DC (Delaware LLC)
He is the CEO of the Community in Space™ LLC, a financial services firm focused to address the next generation of space portfolio development and financing support to the different entities wishing to enter, invest, and/or grow the space industry.
Additionally, he is the Chief Executive Officer for Caelus Partners, a strategic consulting firm that addresses complex, ambiguous problems related to the commercialization of space. The team focuses in three major areas – economic development support at the regional level of governance; portfolio development for acquisition planning and growth; and capital markets entry from startups to public companies and providing financing solutions.
Lastly, he is the Chairman of the Board at the Caelus Foundation, a non-profit 501(C)3, volunteer organization with a mission to advocate for broad participation in the space domain and to engage and empower people around the world to build a space-centric community through their decisions and actions.
Previous to this, Jose served in the US Army for 22-years as an infantry officer and a strategist handling some of the most difficult challenges of the US military in recent memory. He led multiple complex and diverse organizations to achieve success in volatile, uncertain, challenging and ambiguous situations around the world in the classified and open-source environments within the US military. He has provided vision and direction to strategic and operational teams to work across different cultures and understand fragmented stakeholder motivations to arrive at optimal solutions, something critically needed in developing the economic engine for the Space domain. He has managed accounts as large as $10.2B and strategies worth over $250B, impacting millions of individuals both in the United States, its military and many countries overseas. His thrive is to continue to excel in high stake, existential situations for companies and individuals in governed and ungoverned areas, where human survival and financial profits are required, as needed today in Space.
GARY PATTON MG (Ret), USA
VP, Veterans and Military Affairs
CACI
Gary Patton MG USA (Ret), VP Veterans and Military Affairs | CACI
Prior to his Army retirement, he served in two key senior executive positions on the staff of the Secretary of Defense. As Director for the Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), he served as the DoD’s single point of accountability and oversight for sexual assault policy and programs. As Principal Director for Military Personnel Policy, he was responsible for overseeing the implementation of DoD’s repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as well as the development and implementation of DoD policy on recruiting, compensation, training, diversity, and employee relations for two million active duty service members.
Notably, Major General Patton’s military career included command at multiple levels and 45 months of combat duty in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF), highlighted by the following command and senior-level staff assignments: Deputy Commanding General for the NATO Training Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, with responsibility for training, manning, and equipping the Afghan National Army during a critical growth period of OEF; Senior Advisor to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Wash. D.C., with responsibility as the J1, Director for Manpower and Personnel for global force management responsive to the nation’s war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan; Commander, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea, and later in Ramadi, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where his brigade played a key role in the Battle of Fallujah and the first Iraqi democratic elections in 2004-2005; Chief of Staff, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, HI, and later in Tikrit, Iraq, where the division task force played a key role in the 2006-2007 U.S. troop surge of OIF.
A 1979 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science Degree, he also holds a Master of Science Degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and Purple Heart.
He has been married for more than 35 years to the former Chong Suk Lim. Together they have raised three children and reside in Fairfax, VA.
JOHN PEREZ
Head, Military & Veterans Affairs
Johnson & Johnson
John Perez Head, Military & Veterans Affairs | Johnson & Johnson
JOHN REGISTER
Founder
Inspired Communications International, LLC
John Register, Founder | Inspired Communications International, LLC
John Register failed to clear a hurdle as he trained for the Olympic Games—a move that led to a tragic accident and altered his life forever. He shifted his focus and embraced a “new normal mindset.” The decorated Persian Gulf War combat U.S. Army veteran world champion became a two-time Paralympic Games Silver Medalist, professional speaker, and global influencer.
Register “amputated his fears” and founded the U.S. Olympic Committee Paralympic Military Sports Program. He authored 10 Stories to Impact Any Leader: Journal Your Way to Leadership Success in Spring 2020 and works with business leaders to hurdle adversity, amputate fear, and embrace a new normal mindset to win life’s medals. The artificial leg he used to win the silver medal is displayed in the Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
HALEY SCOFIELD
Recruiting Communications Analyst
Military Recruiting Coordinator
U-Haul International
Haley Scofield, Recruiting Communications Analyst, Military Recruiting Coordinator| U-Haul International
WAYNE SHANKS
Supplier Diversity Director
USAA Global Sourcing and Procurement
Wayne Shanks, Supplier Diversity Director | USAA Global Sourcing and Procurement (he/him/his)
Wayne retired from the US Army as a Colonel after 28 years of service and brings an extensive background in leadership, resource management, communication strategy, logistical and operations management. He had a multitude of assignments including Afghanistan, South Korea, Egypt, and Hawaii.
He holds a BS in Environmental Science from Lamar University and a MS in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
KEVIN SCHMIEGEL
President
KMS Strategies
Kevin M. Schmiegel, President | KMS Strategies
KARL SNYDER
Managing Dir. and Chief Market Strategist
VETS Indexes
Karl Snyder, Managing Director, Chief Market Strategist | VETS Indexes
Karl Snyder is a Managing Director and the Chief Market Strategist of VETS Indexes. In this role, Karl sets the overall strategic direction for the firm’s suite of Veteran themed indexes. Mr. Snyder’s approach towards asset allocation is macro themed using both intermarket analysis and the business cycle. Often called upon by the industry for his strategic thought leadership, Karl specializes in sector rotation and the impact of the business cycle on the financial markets.
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.
CHRIS SPENCER
Director of Operations
Oracle Corporation
Chris Spencer, Director of Operations | Oracle Corporation
Chris’ vast experience in operationally supporting sales has earned him the honor of working with some of the best and brightest in the industry. Chris joined Oracle in 1996 after separating from active duty with the US Army. Starting as a contractor within the marketing organization, he established relationships across many lines of business to begin creating his network and eventually landed a permanent role supporting sales. This was his early lesson of how important relationships are for success. This offered Chris the opportunity to learn and grow from within and establish his own career path with the support of others.
Outside of being actively involved in his family’s lives, Chris’ center of attention in his current life stage is continuing to deliver value within the veteran affiliated community.
BRUCE TOWNSHEND
Chief, Employer Engagement
DOD | ESGR
Chief, Employer Engagement | DOD, ESGR
Bruce Townshend is responsible for the planning, design and execution of proactive ESGR employer outreach initiatives to customers (Employers) and stakeholders (Guardsmen, Reservists and the Department of Defense). In this capacity he establishes frequent contact with corporate executives (Fortune 500), state government executives, mayors of major cities, and high-ranking military and Department of Defense officials to positively influence, motivate and persuade leaders, many of whom are skeptical, on the merits of ESGR programs and services.
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.
ANN TREADWAY
Dir Veterans and Military Programs and Services
Rutgers University
Ann Treadaway, MA, Dir. Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services | Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Prior to joining Rutgers, Treadaway served as Director of Veterans Support Services at the College of Staten Island, City University of New York where she developed innovative programming and enhanced support services to assist military affiliated students in their transition to on-campus learning.
From 2001 to 2006, Ann Treadaway served in the United States Army. In 2003 she was assigned to the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) in the 130th Engineer Brigade with whom she deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to Baghdad in 2003 and Mosul in 2005.
Treadaway holds a B.A. in History and Political Science with a focus on the Middle East from the State University of New York, Purchase College and an M.A. in Early American History from the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. Ann is a doctoral candidate at Northeastern University completing a EdD with a focus on Military Cultural Competency and ways to bridge the military civilian knowledge gap. Ann has conducted more than 50 Military Cultural Competency Trainings in her career and presented nationally on topics related to military service.
Ann is a Member of the NASPA Veterans Knowledge Community, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
NICOLE UTT
Content Manager
Sandboxx
Nicole Utt, Content Manager | Sandboxx
Strategy, branding, design, and our military are a few of Nicole’s favorite things. As part of the digital generation, Nicole has a vested interest in all things accessible via any type of device. In the four years that Nicole has been at Sandboxx, she has aided in the development and growth of Sandboxx News and ensure that all Sandboxx products resonate with current and potential customers With an extensive family history in the military, Nicole is proud and honored to work and help serve those that serve our country.
SAMUEL WALTZER
Military & Veteran Affairs Project Manager
Comcast NBCUniversal
Samuel Waltzer, Military & Veteran Affairs Project Manager | Comcast NBCUniversal
TOM WATSON
Sr Vice President Defense Services Group
Serco
Tom Watson, Senior Vice President Defense Services Group | Serco
Prior to joining Serco, Mr. Watson held positions of increasing responsibility with SAIC for 22 years. His last position was as Senior Vice President and General Manager of SAIC’s Navy and Marine Corps Business Unit which had annual revenues of over $1B with ~4000 employees. Before joining SAIC, he worked for RCI (now Serco) providing technical and engineering support for U.S. Navy intelligence and communications systems.
Mr. Watson started his career serving six years active duty in the U.S. Navy as an electronics technician. He is a proud veteran who established and is the executive sponsor for Serco Vets Employee Resource Group.
Mr. Watson earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland, and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from National University.
GERALD WILLIAMS
Chief of Operations
OMNI Technologies
Gerald Williams, Chief of Operations | OMNI Technologies
With a Master’s of Science degree in Information Technology Management and over 20 years of planning, training, and military operations, I now serves as the Chief Operations Officer at OMNI Technologies, LLC, an Enterprise Information Technology firm. I consider myself to be a natural motivator, mentor, and coach, and I thrive at helping others reach their full potential.”
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