EXPERIENCED. KNOWLEDGEABLE. INSIGHTFUL.
OUR SPRING SPEAKERS
GEORGE ALTMAN
Deputy Managing Editor
Military Times
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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.
CHRISTINE AQUINO
Head of Business Operations
Sightline
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Christine Aquino
Christine joined the company when it was Gannett Government Media under Gannett and later Tegna, as Military Times director of marketing. She later took on the director of marketing job across the Sightline portfolio. Previously, she worked for a boutique issue-advocacy communications firm, and marketing and sales for one of Asia’s largest real estate conglomerates. Christine graduated from the University of the Philippines and earned her master’s degree from Georgetown University, where she graduated with honors.
NICHOLAS ANTAKI
Managing Director
VETS Indexes
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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.
JAMES BEAMESDERFER
Vice President, Veterans Initiatives
Prudential
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James Beamesderfer
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.
GERRY BORJA
Senior Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager
Oracle
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Gerry Borja
California-based Oracle is a global provider of enterprise cloud computing, with more than 430,000 customers and annual revenues greater than US$37.7 billion. Deployed across industries in more than 175 countries, Oracle technology empowers businesses of all sizes on their journey to digital transformation. Oracle Cloud provides leading-edge capabilities in software as a service (SaaS), infrastructure as a service (IaaS), and data as a service (DaaS). Oracle is the enterprise technology partner that positions companies for tomorrow, today.
In addition to his HR program management responsibilities, through and for Oracle, Gerry is the primary Diversity & Inclusion liaison for military veteran engagement, internally and externally. He leads Oracle’s Veteran Internship and Mentorship Programs, Veteran Impact Council and is a board member of the company’s Veteran Employee Resource Group. He has spoken and presented on Employer Panels at national conferences, Balboa Naval Medical Center, Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, the Veterans Transition Assistance Programs and local universities. He is also the primary lead for Diversity & Inclusion’s Community Action and Impact volunteerism events nationwide which provides Outreach and Inreach STEM career guidance and exploration to the under-served and under-represented youth population, backpack stuffing events in disadvantaged neighborhoods and care package events for deployed troops. During the summers, he facilitates Oracle’s United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Scholars Internship Program across various Oracle campuses.
Gerry was a scholarship cadet and Distinguished Military Graduate and received a B.S. degree. In addition to various military and civilian schools and training, Gerry is a trained Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has completed numerous HR, Diversity and Recruiting related professional assessments and trainings. He is also a certificated Life and Career Coach to local youth, college new grads, military veterans and seasoned professionals in the midst of career and life transitions.
CHRIS CRACE
Military/Veterans Affairs Leader
Ernst & Young
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Chris Crace
CHRIS CORTEZ
Vice President of Military Affairs
Microsoft
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Chris Cortez
Chris served for more than 33 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. When he retired in 2004 as a major general, Chris had been leading the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Va., recruiting more than 75,000 men and women. Before that, he was director of operations for the U.S. Pacific Command — overseeing operations for 300,000 military personnel — and he previously commanded Marines at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental levels, including during Operation Desert Storm. Chris not only advocates for education, he also mentors others. It’s something he did in the Marine Corps and has continued to do at Microsoft.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Marietta College in Ohio and a master’s degree in business management from Azusa Pacific University.
CHRIS DAVISON
Veteran Recruiting and Warrior Integration Program Manager
BAE Systems, Inc.
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Chris Davison
He joined the company in 1998 as an employee of TRACOR, then Marconi, and finally BAE Systems. His first 5 years were spent in the Patuxent River, MD area and included recruiting veterans in support of Navy contracts; sub-surface systems, surface communications, advanced radar systems, strategic weapon systems, and tactical ground systems. In 2002 Chris was selected to oversee the recruitment for F-35 Lightning II (formerly Joint Strike Fighter) and subsequently took a transfer to Ft. Worth, TX in 2003 to lead the recruitment ramp-up. During the next 10 years he had an opportunity to support the capture and recruitment for programs such as JIEDDO Counter-IED, Naval Special Warfare, T-X Advanced Jet Training Systems, White House Communications Agency, FISAC, TACOM, and Human Terrain System (HTS) – a program under the U.S. Army’s Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC).
Chris served as the President of the Veterans’ Support Network (VSN), BAE Systems’ Veteran employee resource group, in 2015 after serving as its Vice President of Membership in 2014. He now serves as their advisor.
Prior to joining the company, Chris served in the U.S. Navy as a Human Resources and Finance Specialist at commands in Maryland and Washington, D.C. His roles included career counseling, IG audit, training, as well as serving on President Clinton’s detail in 1996 as a motorcade driver.
Chris, who is originally from Houston, resides in Ft. Worth, Texas with his wife Lisa and their daughter Chloe.
CAROL EGGERT
SVP, Military and Veteran Affairs
Comcast NBCUniversal
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Carol Eggert
Carol is a graduate of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, where she also served on the faculty and was later selected as the Deputy Commandant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, two master’s degrees in instructional design and strategic international studies, and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership. Carol serves on the Corporate Advisory Board for West Chester University, and the Boards of Directors for Valley Forge Military Academy, the Philly POPS, and PsychArmor. Her leadership in the private sector has been recognized by HillVets, who placed her on their 2016 list of the 100 most influential veterans in America, and by the Philadelphia Business Journal, who named her one of their 2016 Veterans of Influence.
CHERYL ENDRES
Advisor, Military Programs
La Quinta by Wyndham
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Cheryl Endres
CHIP HAWKINS
Diversity-Military Talent Acquisition Mgr.
Aetna
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Chip Hawkins
He also brings over 25 years of Recruiting and Business Development experience as a Global Operations Manager, Federal and Commercial Business Development Leader, Staffing Director and a Principle of a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Recruit Process Outsource/Staffing Agency supporting several GSA TASK ORDERS for Afghanistan-Africa.
Having previously worked with McKesson and other large-scale retail, health and insurance companies, Chip joined Aetna’s Military and Veteran Recruiting team back in September 2015, and is responsible for leading all veteran recruitment strategies, external partnerships, veteran outreach sourcing and hiring stakeholder relationships to support Aetna’s robust veteran and military spouse hiring initiatives. In 2018, Chip became Aetna’s diversity and military talent team lead, responsible for the development and execution of strategies to ensure best in class for diversity hiring and recognized as employer of choice.
Chip graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management at University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL., and since 2003 he has been a Licensed Health-Life and Variable Annuity Agent/Broker for the State of FL.
Chip currently works and resides in Orlando, FL.
JEFFREY JACK
Veterans Employment Program Manager
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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Jeffrey Jack
Jeff’s primary function in this role was to engage and encourage employers within all sectors of the national labor market to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities from the VR&E program. Before coming to VA Central Office, Jeff served as a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Jacksonville, Florida from 2006 till 2009. In this position he provided a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to over 180 Veterans with disabilities to include neuropsychiatric and physical disabilities. In this position, Jeff also served as an advocate for veterans in reaching their vocational goals post military service.
Jeff received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Health Science with a focus in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and has completed significant coursework on his Doctorate in Health Psychology from Walden University with a pending graduation this year.
Jeff also serves as a mentor for severely injured Wounded Warriors in the Amelia Island, Florida area where he resides, with their successful transition to civilian life. Jeff provides his Wounded Warriors (and their family members) with essential transitional resources to include: assistance in applying for VA benefits, career advice, and much needed social support. Jeff is a Navy veteran having served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. and within Fighter Squadron One Hundred and Three attached aboard the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Saratoga and U.S.S. Constellation.
JAMAL JESSIE
Senior Military Talent Acquisition Consultant
Southern Company
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Jamal Jessie
Jamal also served as a Navy Recruiting Manager, at Navy Recruiting Districts Atlanta and Ohio, where he lead a division of recruiters with responsibilities for active duty, reserve, and officer recruiting goals.
A native of New Orleans, LA, Jamal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from Southwestern College, and a Master of Business Administration from Auburn University. He is the current President of Georgia Power, Veterans Employee Resource group (MVP).
He is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and he volunteers with several Veteran Organizations to include: Vetlanta, Hiring Hero’s USA, and Veterati serving as a mentor and providing resume writing and interviewing skills to service members transitioning out of the military.
TOMMY JONES
Sr. Manager of Talent Acquisition
Verizon
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Tommy Jones
Tommy is a 20 year veteran of the United States Army where he served tours in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq (twice). He retired at the rank of First Sergeant and received numerous awards/decorations including 3 Bronze Stars, 2 Meritorious Service Medal, 8 Army Commendation Medals, 7 Army Achievement Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Tommy is a graduate of the Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, Drill Sergeant and Sapper Leaders Course. He was also inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Morales Club.
MICHAEL F. KELLY
AVP, Military Affairs
USAA
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Michael F. Kelly
He’s been with USAA since 2003 when he established USAA’s military communications program, later building a comprehensive military influencer program and establishing USAA’s national leadership role as a military-friendly employer.
Mike spent 25 years in the Air Force, both as an NCO and officer before retiring in 2002. While in the military he served as security policeman, photojournalist, newspaper editor, chief of public affairs and staff officer at the base and major military command level. He also served as a communications associate professor for four years at DOD’s Defense Information School where he taught future military public affairs communicators. He has multiple deployments to the Former Yugoslav Republic for Operations Able Sentry and Joint Endeavor as a member of the implementation force and supported international communication efforts for Operations Deny Flight, Deliberate Force and Provide Promise.
He is the recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s annual Hiring Our Heroes Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment and currently serves on the national Hiring Our Heroes Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Councils, which focus on actions addressing the unique employment challenges veterans and military spouses face. He also recently completed three years (2016-2018) on the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce executive board where he served as chairman of the Chamber’s Military Affairs Council.
Mike was selected as a 2018 We Are the Mighty – “Mighty 25” influencer for his work in the military-veteran community where he dedicates his time connecting, equipping, and inspiring opportunities that benefit the military community at large.
He has a BAAS degree with an emphasis in journalism and public relations from Southwest Texas State University and a Master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
CHRISTOPHER MCMANUS
Senior Managing Director
Accenture
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Christopher McManus
Chris has over 20 years of experience as a global transformation consultant in Life Sciences, Consumer Goods and Services, Travel, Industrial Products, and Retail. Chris has extensive experience in holistic transformation programs involving people, process and technology, integrated and global business services, back-office reengineering (finance, human resources/personnel and payroll administration, procurement and IT), and profit and cost optimization. He formerly led Accenture’s Management Consulting practice in Products North America, the Shared Services practice in North America and the consulting practice in the Life Sciences industry before assuming his current Transformation Architect role.
Chris has served for the last three years as the Executive Sponsor for Accenture’s Veteran and Spouse Hiring Program that is targeting 5000+ new hires across our Operations, Technology and Consulting practices. As a former United States Army combat medical operations officer (airborne paratrooper) coupled with his 20 years at Accenture uniquely positions him to understand the value and skills of a veteran/spouse hire and the asset that can be for Accenture and our clients.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and concentration in chemistry from Presbyterian College and was a triple-sport NCAA varsity athlete.
Chris and his 3 boys live in Atlanta, Georgia and works from Accenture’s Atlanta office.
MIKE MILLER
Director of Private and Public Engagement
Department of Defense
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Michael C. Miller
Prior to joining the DPFSC team, Mike accumulated over 33 years of leadership and human resource management experience in team building, talent management, leader development, policy development, strategic planning, corporate culture change, diversity and inclusion, organizational management, and resource management.
Mike is a U.S. Army Veteran and Soldier for Life. His 33 years of active duty service included tours in the United States, Africa, and Asia; Chief Human Capital Officer responsibilities at Installation, Division, Combined/Joint Task Force, and Corps; and multiple strategic enterprise assignments in Headquarters, Department of the Army.
ANDREW MORTON
Dir. of Social Engagement
SHRM
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Andrew Morton
Prior to joining SHRM in 2014, Andrew served as Digital Account Manager for a leading communications firm headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia managing several Fortune 500 brand and advocacy campaigns. He is a retired Army Infantry-Officer who served in multiple leadership 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 veteran’s issues to include programs and policies that support veteran employment as well as initiatives that support disabled veterans. Most importantly, Andrew serves as “Working-Dad” to his three wonderfully exhaustive kids at their home headquarters in Alexandria, VA.
KEITH NATTRASS
Director, Military and Veteran Affairs
General Motors Defense LLC
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Keith Nattrass
Keith Nattrass is responsible for the Military and Veteran Affairs of General Motors Defense LLC, GM’s new business entity focused on providing a variety of innovative and advanced automotive technologies and services to the global aerospace, defense and security industries.
Prior to this, Keith was responsible for GM’s military advocacy and veteran initiatives that empowered GM’s proactive support for the military community and alignment to GM’s corporate strategy. This included leading collaborative engagements with key strategic military representatives from the Federal, State and Local levels, plus many non-profit and for-profit advocacy groups to ensure GM continued to be a leading corporate citizen that has served the military for over 100 years.
In March 2019, Keith was named to the National Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach (ACVETEO), a Congressionally-mandated advisory committee, under the authority of the Department of Labor. Keith was one of only five private sector members, selected from a national group of nominees, to serve on the committee through January 31, 2022. The ACVETO committee reports to both the Secretary of Labor and to the Congressional Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.
In November 2015, Keith was recognized nationally by the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes Foundation with the Colonel Endres Award for “Individual Excellence in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment in recognition of a particular individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses.”
Keith has been a long time GM military advocate, serving as the President of the GM Veteran Employee Resource Group (ERG), leading to the formulation of GM’s first “Military and Veteran Affairs Office” in 2014. Keith represents GM on the National Veteran/Military Spousal Employment Council (VEAC/MSEAC), National Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Leadership Team, and the State of Michigan’s Military Veteran Employment Council (MVAA).
Keith graduated from General Motors Institute (GMI) with a BS in Mechanical Engineering (1983), a Business Administration Master’s Degree (1990) and attended the Harvard Business School Leadership Program (1997). Keith has had held many US and Overseas positions within GM – Global Product Development, Legal, Manufacturing, and Sales & Marketing. He holds a Black Belt certification in Design for Six Sigma (DFSS). He is a former Air Force Aviator, with an Army Officer son, and Naval Aviator son-in-law.
ELIZABETH O’BRIEN
Sr. Dir., Military Spouse Program
Hiring Our Heroes
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Elizabeth Obrien
In her role, O’Brien advocates for meaningful employment opportunities for the more than one million members of the military spouse community. She oversees the Military Spouse Program’s strategic and hiring events as well as the Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council, comprised of national companies committed to hiring military spouses and creating best practices in military spouse employment.
At the grassroots level, O’Brien’s program includes a nationwide network of Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zones as well as the Hiring Our Heroes’ Military Spouse Professional Network, which establishes community strategies to support 50+ networking chapters for military spouses on U.S. military installations around the world.
LEO SHANE
Deputy Editor
Military Times
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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 two consecutive years (2017 – 2018).
Prior to joining First Data in 2014, James held leadership responsibilities 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 held business development and operations leadership positions in the software, transportation industries and government service.
James also serves as the national advisor to First Data’s Military Affinity Group, the 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 received a master’s degree, with honors, in International Trade and Transportation Management and a bachelor’s degree in Marine Transportation from NY Maritime College. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy and licensed as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine. James is a twenty-eight year veteran of the United States Navy, holds the rank of Captain and currently serves as a leader within the Strategic Sealift Program based in Norfolk, VA. He graduated from the senior leader, joint military education course at the United States Marine Corps University Command Staff College in 2008.
James resides in Garden City, NY with his wife and their son.
WILLIAM PISHOTTA
National Military Recruiting Program Manager
Combined Insurance
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William Pishotta
William has been with Combined Insurance since 2017. He is responsible for managing and recruiting for Combined Insurance’s best-in-class Military Program. He is also responsible for attracting, hiring, retaining and supporting veterans, military spouses, and family member talent into the organization.
William served 5 years active duty in the U.S. Army. During his time in service he deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan and Bagdad, Iraq with the 754th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, stationed at Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey. Following his time in service, William earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal & Social Justice from Lewis University. Prior to joining Combined Insurance, William worked for the U.S. Senate working for U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (IL). He served in multiple roles including Veterans Caseworker, Special Assistant, and Director of Veterans Outreach.
William continues to support our nation’s veterans by providing resources, mentoring, career development and volunteer opportunities. He is passionate about helping veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce and find meaningful and rewarding careers at Combined Insurance.
William currently works and resides in Chicago, IL with his wife and children.
BRIAN RATHJEN
President
Roberts & Ryan
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Brian Rathjen
Rathjen’s career has been centered in the institutional marketplace as a placement agent for top-tier traditional and alternative global asset managers. He co-founded Kelson Group in 2010, and prior, in 2001, established and grew the Asset Management division of Marwood Group. He has raised and placed over $13 billion of assets.
Rathjen is an Officer of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of New York where he serves as as the Historian. He is a member of Service Academy nominating committees for both Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congresswoman Kathleen Rice.
Rathjen serves on the board of Boulder Crest Retreat, which is the country’s first permanent and private rural retreat for wounded US military veterans and their families. He is a staunch supporter of BCR’s mission of improving the physical, emotional, spiritual, and economic well-being of our nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and their family members by providing them with free, world class, short-duration, high-impact retreats for combat veterans and their families.
Rathjen is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a BS in Economics.
LAURA SCHMIEGEL
Head of Military and Veteran Affairs
Booz Allen Hamilton
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Laura Schmiegel
JAMES A. PERDUTO
Head of Global Talent Acquisition
First Data
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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 Director and Chief Market Strategist
VETS Indexes
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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.
JOHN TANSILL
Head of Veterans Program
FDM Group
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John Tansill
JOHN TIEN
Managing Director
Citigroup
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John Tien
As a retired U.S. Army Colonel and Citi’s senior Army veteran, John also serves on Citi’s corporate-level employee affinity steering committee in support of the Citi Salutes program (www.CitiSalutes.com) which provides firm-wide support to U.S. military veterans and military spouses both internal and external to the company. In this role, John oversees Citi’s 17 military veterans affinity group chapters and provides leadership and support to Citi’s leadership with several U.S. military veterans programs: Citi’s own Military Officer Leadership Program, Veterans On Wall Street (VOWS), Citi’s sponsorship of the Military.com Transition mobile app, Citi’s E for Education sponsorship of the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, and collaboration and support of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.
Prior to joining Citi and in his last active tour of duty, John was a senior national security advisor to both President Obama and President Bush. At the White House and as part of the National Security Council (NSC) staff, he was responsible for the development and NSC oversight of all U.S. military, political, and economic policy in the countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan for President Obama, and for military operations in Iraq for President Bush. He also served in the Clinton Administration from 1998-1999 as a White House Fellow in the Office of the United States Trade Representative where his focus included the World Trade Organization, U.S. steel industry trade and exports, and President Clinton’s Business Roundtable. John’s active duty military career spanned twenty-four years and included more than a decade of overseas assignments in Europe and the Middle East as well as three combat tours in Iraq. His last military operations tour was as the Task Force 2-37 Commander in Friedberg, Germany from 2004-2007 and Tal Afar and Ramadi, Iraq from 2006-2007. His military awards and decorations include the Valorous Unit Award, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy located at West Point, a Master of Arts degree in Political Science from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and following his last combat tour in Iraq, was a National Security Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2007-2008. John is a first generation Chinese-American and in 1986-1987, was the first ever Asian American to hold the West Point position of First Captain which is the senior ranking cadet at the Academy. John is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is the Chairman of the Board for the military veterans service organization, The Mission Continues. John is also active in his local community in Atlanta serving on the founding boards of The Warrior Alliance and VETLANTA as well as volunteering as a leadership seminar instructor at Georgia Gwinnett College which is ranked as the most diverse university in the U.S. Southeast.
BRUCE TOWNSHEND
Chief, Employer Engagement
DOD | ESGR
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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.
ROSALINDA VASQUEZ MAURY
Dir. Applied Research and Analytics
Syracuse Univ.
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Rosalinda Vasquez Maury
LORRAINE S. WILSON
Director, Investment Products
JUST Capital
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Lorraine S. Wilson
Lorraine has over 13 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a specialization in business development, due diligence, investor education, and relationship management. Prior to joining JUST Capital, Lorraine was Vice President, Exchange Traded Fund Product Manager at Merrill. Lorraine also held institutional sales roles at Third Avenue Management and Goldman Sachs Asset Management in New York. Lorraine earned an M.B.A. in finance and economics from New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a B.A. in Government from Georgetown University.