APRIL, 2024 | NEW YORK CITY AND VIRTUAL
SPRING 2024 CONFERENCE
AGENDA
Thank You for Attending
Hosted by VETS Indexes, this semi-annual conference included discussions of best practices and challenges related to veteran employment, recognition of companies going above and beyond for vets and their families, and lots of opportunities to network. The bi-yearly conference is designed to offer attendees actionable tools and information to establish and build upon veteran initiatives. It also provides a great opportunity to network with peers from leading companies.
(All Times Are Eastern Time)
8:00am-8:45am
Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:45am-9:00am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
George Altman
President | VETS Indexes
9:00am-9:30am
Keynote Speaker – Michael Miller
Director of the Military-Civilian Transition Office, U.S. Department of Defense
The Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) is a function within the Defense Human Resource Activity’s Defense Support Services Center. MCTO designs, supports, oversees, and evaluates the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP), SkillBridge Program, Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon initiatives (BYR). MCTO provides streamlined transition and reintegration services to efficiently deliver resources, training, information, and deployment-cycle support to transitioning service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their families worldwide.
Mike is a retired U.S. Army “Soldier for Life” who completed Chief Human Capital Officer assignments at U.S. Army installation, Division, and Corps; strategic enterprise assignments in Department of the Army, joint, and multi-national headquarters; and operational deployments in Somalia and Afghanistan.
9:30am-10:15am
5 Star Employer Best Practices for Supporting Military Spouses & Families
Sponsored by Fiserv
MODERATOR
George Altman
President | VETS Indexes
PANELISTS
Josh Deason
Military Talent Acquisition Partner | Southern Company
Susan DeWitt Christ
Culture & Inclusion Veterans Program Manager | Oracle
Jezebel Rivera
Vice President of Talent Acquisition | Fiserv
Nikita Wallace
Manager, Military Talent Attraction | Spectrum
10:15am-10:35am
Morning Break & Networking Session
Sponsored by Oracle
10:35am-11:20am
Higher Education: The Secret Pipeline for Veteran Talent
MODERATOR
Jared Lyon
President & CEO | Student Veterans of America
PANELISTS
Matthew Butler
Senior Director of Military and Veterans’ Services | Fordham University Office of Military and Veterans’ Services
Brett Gagnon
Senior Vice President, Chief Enterprise Architect | Fulton Bank
John Lees
Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition | Serco
11:20am-12:05pm
Are Your Automated CRM and ATS Systems Filtering Out Top Military-Connected Candidates?
MODERATOR
Patrick Sence
Program Manager, DE&I | General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
PANELISTS
Scott Hamilton
Military Recruiting Program Leader | NextEra Energy
Ahmond Hill
Director of Career Services | West Point Association of Graduates
Marcus “Ohley” Ohlenforst
HR Military Workforce Strategist, Chief of Staff Officer | USAA
Matt Watkins
Military Program Manager | Premise Health
12:05pm-1:05pm
Luncheon and Networking
1:05pm-1:50pm
Rank Bias: The Misguided Preference for Officers and Higher Ranks – and How Your Organization Can Capitalize by Finding Great Enlisted Talent
Sponsored by GXO Logistics
MODERATOR
Chris Munsey
Senior Manager of the Operating Model | United Rentals
PANELISTS
Sidney Covington
Veterans Engagement Associate | AmeriVet Securities
James Tongate
Vice President, Government & Military Relations | BeneLynk
Nathan Wilson
Manager, Business Continuity Risk | GXO Logistics
Rob Arndt
Founder & CEO | Buffer Springs
1:50pm-2:35pm
Leveraging Military Leaders: How Veterans on Your Board and in Your C-Suite Can Improve Corporate Governance
MODERATOR
TJ Martin
Senior Military Recruiting Program Manager | USIC
PANELISTS
Col. Brian D. Anderson, USAF (Ret)
Senior Director, Transition and Member Services | Military Officers Association of America
Torrey Garrison
Vice-President of EHS/Leadership Development | Performance Contractors
CSM Scott Laczynski
Command Sergeant Major | New York City Recruiting Battalion – U.S. Army
Elizabeth Valade
Owner/Command OIC/Board Member | Pro Level Baseball Group/K9 Kavalry
2:35pm-2:55pm
Afternoon Break & Networking Session
Sponsored by United Rentals
2:55pm-3:40pm
The Best Programs and Resources in 2024 to Connect Employers with Transitioning Veterans
MODERATOR
Ellis Mensah, MBA
Clinical Supply Project Manager | Merck
PANELISTS
Fatina Brave
Director Talent Acquisition | Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.
Richard Comitz
Chief Operating Officer | American Corporate Partners
Lucie Piper, LMSW
Director of Development | Military Spouse Ambassador Network (MSAN)
Len Tokar
Manager, Associate Solutions | Public Consulting Group
3:40pm-4:25pm
The Veteran Perspective: Understanding the Modern Military Veteran Workforce
MODERATOR
Bruce Townshend
Chief – Employer Engagement | ESGR, DoD
PANELISTS
Aaron Knowles
Deputy Director of Public Affairs | 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) – U.S. Army
Kristen Schmalz
Clinical Recruiter | Select Medical
Brian Brooks
Talent Acquisition Manager | Knowles Precision Systems