SPEAKER

BIOGRAPHIES

9 – 10 November 2011 Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner

Vienna, VA

General James F. Amos Commandant of the Marine Corps

On October 22, 2010 General James F. Amos assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps. A graduate of the University of Idaho, General Amos has held command at all levels from Lieutenant Colonel to Lieutenant General.

General Amos’ command tours have included: Marine Wing Support Squadron 173 from 1985-1986; Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 – attached to Carrier Air Wing 8 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) – from 1991-1993; Marine Aircraft Group 31 from 1996-1998; 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing in combat during Operations IRAQI FREEDOM I and II from 2002-2004; II Marine Expeditionary Force from 2004-2006; and Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration from 2006 to 2008. Additional operational tours have included Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 212, 235, 232, and 122.

General Amos’ staff assignments include tours with Marine Aircraft Groups 15 and 31, the III Marine Amphibious Force, Training Squadron Seven, The Basic School, and with the MAGTF Staff Training Program. Additionally, he was assigned to NATO as Deputy Commander, Naval Striking Forces, Southern Europe, Naples Italy where he commanded NATO’s Kosovo Verification Center, and later served as Chief of Staff, U.S. Joint Task Force Noble Anvil during the air campaign over Serbia. Transferred in 2000 to the Pentagon, he was assigned as Assistant Deputy Commandant for Aviation. Reassigned in December 2001, General Amos served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters, Marine Corps. From 2008-2010 General Amos served as the 31st Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Vice Admiral David Architzel Commander Naval Air Systems Command

Vice Admiral Architzel currently serves as commander, Naval Air Systems Command, headquartered in Patuxent River, Md. He assumed his duties in May 2010, after serving as the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development, and Acquisition).

Previous flag assignments included program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers; commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Norfolk; commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; commander, Naval Safety Center, Norfolk; commander, Iceland Defense Force; and commander, Fleet Air Keflavik.

At sea, Architzel served as the executive officer, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and Pre-Commissioning Unit John C. Stennis (CVN 74). He served as the commanding officer, USS Guam (LPH 9); flagship for commander Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 2; and the sixth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

A career naval aviator, Architzel has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours, 4,300 of those hours in the S-3, and the remainder in some 30 other aircraft types in his role as a test pilot at NAS Patuxent River. He served in Sea Control Squadron (VS) 30, deploying aboard USS Forrestal (CV 59), and as maintenance officer in VS-28, deploying aboard USS Independence (CV 62). He later returned to VS-30 as the executive officer and subsequently as commanding officer. Architzel was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., and raised in Merrick, Long Island. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics at the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1973 and also holds a Master of Science degree in aeronautical systems from the University of West Florida. He enjoys major league baseball, model trains and is a really average golfer. His decorations include two Navy Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, four Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Navy Achievement Medal and various service related awards and campaign ribbons. He was also awarded the Spanish Naval Cross of Merit from His Majesty, King Juan Carlos of Spain, the Navy League's John Paul Jones Leadership Award for 1998, and the Commander's Cross with Star of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon presented by the president of Iceland.

John R. Campbell Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Wounded Warrior Care & Transition Policy U.S. Department of Defense

In 2010, Mr. John R. Campbell was appointed by the Secretary of Defense as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy, where he is responsible for ensuring wounded, ill, injured and transitioning Service members receive high quality services including the tools needed to transition seamlessly to civilian life. In 2007, Mr. Campbell founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of MyVetwork, an on-line social network whose mission is to create one place where service men and women, veterans and their families can connect, support each other, find resources and share information with others in the military community. From 1997- 2007, Mr. Campbell served as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Advisor for Wf360, where he helped build interactive dialogue-based initiatives that achieve a variety of specific goals for large organizations with dispersed workforces, as well as companies interested in leveraging customer relationships. Wf360’s Global Conservationalists have included Meg Whitman, CEO of eBay, General James Jones, Supreme Allied Commander of NATO Forces, and Christine Lagarde, France’s Finance Minister. Prior to his service with Wf360, Mr. Campbell held high ranking leadership positions within the financial services industry including his role as Managing Director Senior Advisor for Credit Suisse First Boston, in the capacity of Chief of Staff for Global Banking, where he oversaw strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management. Before serving in this capacity, Mr. Campbell served in several roles in senior management for Credit Suisse including Managing Director and Head of Commercial Banking – North America. His tenure within the financial sector included positions with J.P. Morgan and Company, Inc. where he was deputy Project manager for Morgan’s $1billion new headquarters building on Wall Street. Before that, he was responsible for the bank’s lending portfolio in the Southern cone of Latin America. Mr. Campbell also played a key role in merging Morgan’s National and International Banking Divisions. Mr. Campbell served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 – 1970 and served as a platoon commander in Vietnam in 1968 where he received two purple hearts. Mr. Campbell holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) from Georgetown University and a Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Columbia University.

Robert S. Carrington Director, Recovery Care Coordination Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy U.S. Department of Defense  

After initially enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1975, Mr. Bob Carrington graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1980 and served twenty years in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Officer. As an Army Officer, he served as a platoon leader, company commander and battalion commander. He also served on staffs at Battalion, Corps, Theater Army, Military Academy, Joint Task Force, and Headquarters, Department of the Army level.

One of his most unusual assignments as an Infantry Officer was when he was selected for graduate school and subsequently assigned as a Cadet Counselor at West Point. Another unusual assignment was his final assignment in uniform when he served as the Women in the Army Policy Branch Chief and Army Liaison to DACOWITS.

After retiring from active duty in 2000, Lieutenant Colonel Carrington took a civil service position at the Library of Congress. Later, he worked for a short time as an Associate with Booz, Allen & Hamilton working on the Army’s EBenefits effort until January 2002 when he returned to the Army Staff as a Department of the Army Civilian. First, serving as the Deputy Chief, Army Readiness Division, G-3, the Division Chief, and later serving for three years as the Director for Strategy Management.

In 2007, Mr. Carrington volunteered to deploy to Iraq on a detail to the Department of State to serve as a Senior Governance Advisor on the Western Anbar Embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team where he was further embedded with a U.S. Marine Corps Task Force in al Qaim. He returned in 2008 to serve as an advisor on the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Enterprise Task Force and then transferred to the Office of the Secretary of Defense to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Plans Deputate.

In the summer of 2009, he was asked by the Department of State to serve again on a detail, this time supporting Governance and Development Lines of Operation as a multiple District Support Team Leader in Naray, Afghanistan working with a U.S. Army Task Force. During this second deployment, he was found unconscious and was medically evacuated through Bagram to Landstuhl, Germany. Afterwards, he chose to remain in Theater and returned to his position at Forward Operating Base Bostick in northeast Afghanistan.

In the fall of 2010, he returned to his previous position in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness until he joined the Office of Wounded Warrior Care & Transition Policy.

E. Robert Chamberlin President and CEO NISH

Bob Chamberlin was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of NISH in August, 2000. Prior to joining NISH as Vice President of Operations in December 1999, Chamberlin was the Deputy Director of the Defense Logistics Agency at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, where he managed the 41,000-person organization responsible for worldwide logistics support of the U.S. Armed Forces. In that position, he was an active supporter of programs for persons with disabilities; and in 1998, he was appointed by the President to serve as the Department of Defense's member on the President’s Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the federal agency responsible for oversight of the AbilityOne Program. Recognized as an expert in logistics, best commercial practices and modernization of business systems, Chamberlin had a distinguished career in the Navy where he attained the rank of Rear Admiral and held numerous key assignments afloat, overseas and ashore.

He is a native of Westwood, Massachusetts, and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He also holds a Master in Business Administration degree from Harvard University and completed the Senior Executive Program in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. He has numerous decorations and awards including the Defense Distinguished Service, the Defense Superior Service, and the Legion of Merit Awards. He is listed in Who's Who in America and resides with his wife Sandy in Montclair, Virginia, where they raised four daughters and have been active in community and volunteer activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Peter W. Chiarelli Vice Chief of Staff United States Army General Peter W. Chiarelli became the 32nd Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army on August 4th, 2008. In his previous assignment, he was the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from March 2007 to August 2008. He hails from Seattle, Washington and is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Seattle University. General Chiarelli was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor in September 1972. Throughout his career he has served in Army units in the United States, Germany and Belgium. He has commanded at every level from platoon to corps. His principal staff assignments have been as the Operations Officer, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas; Executive Assistant and later Executive Officer to the Supreme Allied Commander, Commander United States European Command at SHAPE Headquarters, Mons, Belgium; as the Director of Operations, Readiness and Mobilization, at Headquarters, Department of the Army. He commanded a motorized infantry battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington; an armor brigade at Fort Lewis, Washington; served as the Assistant Division Commander for Support in the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas; commanded the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas and in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II; and commanded Multi-National Corps-Iraq. General Chiarelli holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Seattle University, a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Washington, a Masters of Arts in National Security and Strategy from Salve Regina University.

Larry Clifton Senior Vice President Recruiting, Workforce Planning and Development CACI International, Inc.  

Larry Clifton is Senior Vice President in charge of Recruiting, Workforce Planning and Development for CACI International Inc, a 14,000 employee, $3.5 billion revenue, professional services and information technology company serving the defense, intelligence, homeland security, and federal civilian government agencies.

Mr. Clifton is responsible for hiring approximately 3,600 new employees and redeploying over 800 current employees onto new projects annually.

As part of his responsibilities, Mr. Clifton manages a wide array of programs such as the employee referral program, alumni program, recruiting technology systems, and CACI’s Deploying Talent Creating Careers hiring program designed to provide veterans, especially those with disabilities, with a productive meaningful career at CACI. Mr. Clifton and his staff are responsible for sourcing qualified candidates and the overall management of CACI’s recruiting process, including targeted recruiting campaigns, job fairs, job boards, virtual career fairs, advertising, social media, and other cutting edge initiatives focused on bringing top talent to CACI.

Mr. Clifton was named the top Senior HR leader in the Washington DC metro area in 2009 by HRLA. He and his team were also selected as the national ERE Recruiting Department/Function of the year award winner in 2011 and runner-up best Military Recruiting Talent Program.

Prior to joining CACI in 2000, Mr. Clifton proudly served in the United States Air Force and held numerous leadership positions. He was Director of Staff for the 89th Airlift Wing and Commander of the busiest aerial port in the world directly supporting the President of the United States. He received a regents bachelor’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University, a master’s degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University, and a master’s degree in human resources from Webster University.

Dinah F. B. Cohen Director, Computer/Electronics Accommodation Program U.S. Department of Defense

Dinah F. B. Cohen is the Director for the Department of Defense (DoD) Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). Ms. Cohen works closely with senior leadership throughout the Federal sector to ensure employees, beneficiaries, and members of the public with disabilities have equal access to Federal services and employment. Over 81,000 requests for accommodations have been filled since CAP's inception in 1990. Ms. Cohen also initiated a program to provide assistive technology and accommodation support to wounded service members to aid in their rehabilitation and recovery process. Ms. Cohen was the recipient of the 2009 Federal 100-Presidential Award for her role in management excellence. The Partnership for Public Service honored Ms. Cohen as the recipient of the 2007 Service to America Medal for her team’s tremendous impact on employees with disabilities and wounded service members. Under Ms. Cohen's leadership, CAP received the Office of Personnel Management’s 2008 President’s Quality Award for Expanded E-Government. CAP has also received the 2006 Freedom to Compete Award from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Ms. Cohen is an international speaker on disability policy, reasonable accommodations, accessibility and information technology and its impact on employment of people with disabilities. She continues to serve on numerous interagency accessibility committees and conference groups.

Ms. Cohen is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She received her Master's of Science degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in rehabilitation counseling from the State University of New York. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science/Elementary Education from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Constantine U.S. Department of Justice Justin graduated from James Madison University in 1992 with a double major in English and Political Science and a minor in German, and later graduated from the University of Denver School of Law in 1998. Justin joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his second year of law school. While on active duty, Justin served as a Judge Advocate specializing in criminal law, and was stationed both in Okinawa, Japan, and at Camp Pendleton, California, where he worked as a defense counsel and criminal prosecutor. Justin left active duty in 2004, and worked for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for two years. As a Marine Reservist, he volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006, and served in the Al-Anbar Province as a Team Leader of a group of Marines performing civil affairs work while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol six weeks into his deployment, Justin was shot in the head by a sniper. Thanks to his fellow Marines and the courage and skill of a U.S. Navy Corpsman, Justin survived. His personal awards from his time in Iraq include the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal. Upon recovering from his injuries, Justin started a new job with the U.S. Department of Justice, working in their Office of Immigration Litigation. In November of 2008, Justin was invited to serve as Counsel for the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. At the same time, Justin and his wife Dahlia also started Iraq and Back (www.IraqandBack.com), their own small business which featured different apparel items they designed honoring those who had deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Although he has wrapped up the commercial aspect of that business, he still runs their T-Shirts For Troops Campaign, where individuals and businesses buy shirts at cost, but instead of the shirts being shipped to the purchasers, they are sent down to the Wounded Warriors and their families recovering at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Most recently Justin started a new job with the Department of Justice working on a counterterrorism team. This job is a great fit for Justin because he feels that he is finally “back in the fight” and it dovetails perfectly with his professional interests. In 2009, Justin was an honor graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and aims to pursue a graduate degree in National Security Studies next year. As a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve, Justin is the Reserve Staff Judge Advocate for Marine Forces South in Miami, Florida. He serves on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations, including the Wounded Warrior Project. He also serves on a 4-year Congressionally-mandated Task Force for Recovering Warriors which provides an annual report to the Department of Defense. Over the last several years Justin has spoken to numerous military, business and school groups about the value of a positive attitude, teamwork and community values in overcoming adversity. Earlier this year CNN interviewed Justin and discussed the issues of veteran unemployment and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and he was also honored by the White House as a Champion of Change regarding veterans’ issues. Leading up to 9/11 of this year, the Atlantic national magazine published an article of Justin’s about the personal costs of war. Also, Justin has been featured in magazines and programs such as Mens Health, James Madison University’s Madison Magazine, the Wounded Warrior Project’s After Action Report, the Verizon FIOS Channel 1 magazine show “Push-Pause,” and the Department of Labor’s America’s Heroes at Work Success Stories.  

Captain Brad Cooper Executive Director, Joining Forces The White House, Office of the First Lady  

Captain Brad Cooper is a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he earned a B.S. in Economics. Captain Cooper’s career has been marked by global service in every Combatant Command theater of operation, including a tour on the ground in Afghanistan, as well as four tours working for senior leaders in the U.S. Department of Defense and the government of Afghanistan.

Afloat, Cooper’s tours include service as the CIC Officer in USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51), Flag Aide to the Commander, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, Operations Officer in USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and USS Anzio (CG 68) and Executive Officer in USS Vicksburg (CG 69). He most recently had the great life privilege to serve as the Commanding Officer in USS Russell (DDG 59).

Cooper has participated in 13 named operations including: Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm three counter-narcotic deployments off the coast of South America; enforcement of the no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina against the former Republic of Yugoslavia; Haitian migrant operations; three deployments in the Arabian Gulf conducting maritime interdiction against the former regime of Saddam Hussein; deployed operations leading up to the Kosovo campaign; a deployment to the North Arabian Sea immediately following the attacks of 9/11; counter-insurgency operations against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in eastern Afghanistan; and a deployment to the Western Pacific.

Ashore, he most recently served as Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness; other staff tours include service as: Special Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany; Executive Assistant to the Afghan Minister of the Interior; Division Chief for Strategic Reform of the Afghan Police and Border Guards while assigned to Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan; Flag Aide to the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, headquartered in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and three tours in the Navy Personnel Command as an assignment officer, including service as the Deputy Director for Surface Warfare Officer assignments.

Cooper has studied International Relations at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He earned a M.S. in Strategic Intelligence from the National Defense Intelligence College in Washington, D.C., graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and briefly served as a Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

Captain Cooper was the 2003 recipient of the Surface Navy’s Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Award for Visionary Leadership. His 17 personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. Crews and teams with whom he has served have earned ten unit commendations and eight “Battle E” awards for operational excellence, including back-to-back awards during his command tour in Russell.

 

Ruth A. Fanning Director, Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  

As Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service, Ms. Fanning is responsible for the oversight of comprehensive rehabilitation services provided nationally to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Program services include assistance that enables veterans to achieve maximum independence in daily living activities with an ultimate goal of each veteran obtaining and sustaining suitable employment. VR&E serves more than 90,000 disabled veterans annually, with approximately 65,000 veterans entering the program for the first time each year.

Prior to her appointment as the VR&E Service Director, Ms. Fanning worked in the Cleveland VA Regional Office as the Assistant Director and Acting Director. In those roles, she worked with Cleveland's management team to ensure quality and timely services to Ohio's 1.1 million veterans. Services provided included the adjudication of compensation claims for disabled veterans and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment services. The office served as a Regional Loan Center, responsible to administer VA's home loan program and Specially Adaptive Housing grant program for a six state area. The Cleveland Regional Office also provided special missions through three special units: the Tiger Team, the Resource Center, and the Virtual Information Center.

Prior to working in Cleveland, Ms. Fanning was the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Officer at one of the largest Regional Offices in the country, the St. Petersburg, VA Regional Office. While in St. Petersburg, Ms. Fanning led the VR&E division to become a top performing office, leading the nation by rehabilitating over 700 veterans in fiscal year 2005. Prior to becoming the VR&E Officer, Ms. Fanning was the Assistant VR&E Officer and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at the St. Petersburg Regional Office. Before beginning her VA career, Ms. Fanning worked in the private sector rehabilitation field and mental health field. She has an MA degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Florida and is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Vocational Evaluator with over 26 years of experience in the counseling and rehabilitation fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colonel Greg Gadson Director U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)

COL Gregory D. Gadson currently serves as the Director of the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2). A highly-decorated military officer, COL Gadson has served in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years as a field artillery officer. He has served in every major conflict of the last two decades, including Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (Kuwait), Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq), where he commanded a new unit as part of the surge to secure Baghdad in 2007. During his service in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007,COL Gadson was severely injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), resulting in the amputation of both legs above the knee and severe damage to his right arm. COL Gadson emphasizes that his injuries are not the important part of his story; instead, he now focuses on his accomplishments since the incident. COL Gadson’s awards include 3 Bronze Star Medals, a Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), National Defense Service Medal (2 OLC), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Saudi Arabian Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the Iraq Campaign Medal. He is also authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge and the Master Parachutist Badge. A 1989 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, COL Gadson holds Masters Degrees in Information Systems and Policy Management from Webster University. In 2010, he was an Army War College Fellow at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, D.C. He is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honorable Juan M. Garcia III Assistant Secretary of the Navy Manpower and Reserve Affairs

Juan M. Garcia, III was confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) on 16 September 2009. Garcia is an attorney, former Texas State Representative, and a second-generation naval aviator. Born May 27, 1966, his family hails from South Texas. He graduated from UCLA in 1988, giving the commencement speech; earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School, and an M.A. from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1992. After graduation, Garcia reported to Aviation Officer Candidate School and flight training, earning his “Wings of Gold” at Naval Air Station (NAS), Corpus Christi, Texas in 1995. Garcia served in Patrol Squadron 47 out of NAS Barber’s Point, Hawaii, and completed deployments to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific. Garcia also served overseas as flag aide to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe in London, England, deploying as part of Operation Allied Force during hostilities in Kosovo. Selected to be a White House Fellow, he served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education. Garcia then reported for sea duty aboard the aircraft carrier, USS CONSTELLATION, qualifying as OOD(U). In 2002, Garcia returned to the air as a flight instructor with Training Squadron 27 at NAS Corpus Christi. Leaving active duty in 2004, he transferred to the Navy Reserve, and served as the commanding officer of Squadron Augment Unit 28 at Corpus Christi until his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Garcia practiced civil law in Corpus Christi, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006, focusing on transparency in government and veterans issues. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and continues to serve in the Naval Reserves. Garcia is married to the former Denise Giraldez, a Harvard Law classmate. They have four young children.        

  

Pam Gerassimides Assistant Executive Director National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)  

A workforce development expert, Pam Gerassimides joined the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) in November 1998; she has since served the Association in a variety of roles. Today primarily she oversees the National Labor Exchange (NLX) working closely with DirectEmployers Association and other stakeholders to help implement this sophisticated employment network as a replacement to the defunct America's Job Bank. Pam has staffed NASWA’s national IT Directors Committee, an Unemployment Insurance program workgroup, and the Communications and Legislative Committee. She has also been involved and led many grant projects such as the “Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Training and Tools Project”, the “Workforce Development Staff Skills Training Project,” the AJB Marketing campaign, as well as, an international workforce development project in the Caribbean. Before joining NASWA, Pam was briefly a policy analyst, for the US Department of Labor, Office of Welfare to Work Program. Her early experience in the workforce development system was gained at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, where she served as Youth Programs Coordinator for five years. In Pennsylvania she was also a part of the School-to-Work Interagency Team and participated as a grant-writer in National Emergency Grants grants. Ms. Gerassimides received a Bachelor's Degree from Berea College in Kentucky in 1991 and a Master's Degree in Public and International Affairs from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh in 1993. She lives in Arlington, VA with her husband Nick and their 6-year old daughter ‘Elena.  

Elder Granger, M.D., MG FACP, CPE, FACPE, FACHE, CMQ, USA (Retired) President and CEO, The 5Ps, LLC Chairman, Hero Health Hire Major General Granger is President and CEO of The 5Ps, LLC, a health care, education, and leadership consulting organization. MG Granger served as the Deputy Director and Program Executive Officer of the TRICARE Management Activity, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Washington, DC, from December 2005 to May 2009. In this role, he was the principal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) on DoD health plan policy and performance. He oversaw the acquisition, operation and integration of DoD's managed care program within the Military Health System. MG Granger led a staff of 1,800 in planning, budgeting and executing a $22.5 Billion Defense Health Program and in ensuring the effective and efficient provision of high-quality, accessible health,care for 9.2 million Uniformed Service members, their families, retirees and others located worldwide. Prior to joining TRICARE Management Activity, MG Granger led the largest U.S. and multi-national battlefield health system in our recent history while serving as Commander, Task Force 44th Medical Command and Command Surgeon for the Multinational Corps Iraq. He has led at every level of the Army Medical Department, with previous assignments as Commander, 44th Medical Command, XVIII Airborne Corps Command Surgeon and Director of Health Services, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; MG Granger has received numerous awards, decorations and honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Board of Hematology and Oncology. His professional affiliations include the Board of Directors of the American College of Physician Executives (Fellow), the National Medical Association, the Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. He is a Certified Physician Executive by the Certifying Commission in Medical Management and Certified in Medical Quality by the American Board of Medical Quality. He earned a bachelor of science degree from Arkansas State University in 1976. A Distinguished Military Graduate, MG Granger was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Upon graduation from the University Of Arkansas School of Medicine in 1980, he was awarded the Henry Kaiser Medical Fellowship for Medical Excellence and Leadership. MG Granger completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1983 and a fellowship in Hematology-Oncology in 1986 at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.

Margaret R. Harrell Deputy Commander, Corporate Operations Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 10) Ms. Margaret (Peggy) Harrell’s Navy career began as a high school teacher in Rota, Spain with the Department of Defense Dependent School System. Her Civil Service includes Naval Shipyard Analyst, Industrial Improvement Manager, and Corporate Strategic Planning Officer at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the NAVSEA Naval Shipyard Base Realignment and Closure Implementation Program Manager. In 1996, Ms. Harrell was promoted to the Senior Executive Service (SES) as Project Management Officer, Human Resource (HR) Regionalization where she led the initiative to regionalize HR delivery services from a decentralized alignment into geographically dispersed HR Service Centers. In 1998, she relocated to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) as Deputy Business and Strategic Planning Officer responsible for the management and direction of the planning, funding, and technical functions of the NNSY Business Office. In 2001, she reported to U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) as the Deputy Director, Fleet Maintenance, and in 2004 was again promoted to the SES and assigned to the USFF Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Operational Readiness and Training position where she served as the advisor to the Commander on Fleet Readiness and Training. In 2008, Ms. Harrell was assigned to the USFF Assistant Deputy Director for Fleet Warfare Programs position responsible for integrating the Planning, programming, Budgeting and Execution cycle. In 2009, Ms. Harrell reported as the Regional Maintenance Centers’ (RMC) Assistant Deputy Commander where she was responsible for the operations of five RMCs providing services to Carrier, Submarine and Surface Type Commanders (TYCOMs) and the numbered Fleets. Currently, she serves as Deputy Commander, NAVSEA, Corporate Operations and Total Force Directorate. Ms. Harrell was commissioned in 1986 as an Intelligence Officer in the Naval Reserve, last serving Deputy Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance for Commander, Second Fleet, Joint Force Air Component Commander. She is a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Senior Professional Women’s Association. Ms. Harrell is the recipient of the Meritorious Civilian Service and three Superior Civilian Achievement Awards. Additionally, Ms. Harrell established, owned and operated Georgian House Bed and Breakfast in Annapolis, Maryland. Ms. Harrell has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in adult education and counseling.

Michele S. Jones Special Assistant and Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) U.S. Department of Defense Michele S. Jones is a member of the Senior Executive Service and was appointed as the Special Assistant and Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) and the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) on December 15, 2010. She is responsible for providing advice and assistance on the development of an implementation strategy for Personnel and Readiness for organizational efficiency. Additio nally, she provides leadership, strategic thinking and advice on approaches and opportunities to support Veterans, Wounded Warrior III and Injured Programs. She has the responsibility of the project to support the Under Secretary’s goal to advance the National Security and defense initiatives through organization transformation and efficiency. She establishes and maintains close and effective relationships throughout the Department of Defense (DOD), Joint Staff, Secretaries of Military and Directors of Defense Agencies and conducts numerous complex and high special assignments of high level subjects critical to DoD. Also, she is required to testify to Congressional oversight committees, and meet with Congressional staff. Currently, she is on special detail to the United. States Office of Personnel Management in support of the President’s Veteran’s Employment Initiative and the First Lady’s Military Families Initiative. Previously she served as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense White House Liaison from July 20, 2009 until December 14, 2010. In that capacity she was responsible for the management of the Department of Defense staffing, recruitment, vetting and clearance process for political sensitive positions, boards and commission appointments. She was as the Principal DOD contact with the Presidential Personnel Office, White House Military Office and the Principal DOD liaison for the White House Political Affairs Office, the White House Intergovernmental Affairs and the President’s Council on Women and Girls. Ms. Jones conducted special projects as determined by the Offices of the President, Vice President, First Lady and other White House Agencies. Additionally she conducted the final review and approval of all OSD, Defense Agency, Army, Navy and Air Force headquarters level consultants and expert actions. In her military career, was the 9th Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the Army Reserve from October 2002 through August 2006. She retired on March 1, 2007 after 25 years of service in both the active and reserve component. As the CSM of the Army Reserve, she served as the senior advisor to the Chief of the Army on all enlisted Soldier matters. She represented the Army Reserve enlisted Soldier at all levels within the Army, Department of Defense, Congressional and in the media. She served on multiple councils, boards and testified before Congressional Committees and Subcommittees that made decisions, recommendations and legislative changes affecting Soldiers and their families.

She distinguished herself as being the first woman selected as class president at the United States Sergeants Major Academy (Class 48), the first woman to serve as a division CSM, and culminating as the first woman to serve as the CSM of any of the Army’s Components, Active or Reserve. Prior to her retirement, she held the highest Noncommissioned Officer position of any woman in the Army. A career Soldier, Ms. Jones held many positions of leadership responsibility from squad leader, section leader, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and Command Sergeant Major. Some of her career highlights include assignments to 78th Division, (Training Support), Edison, NJ; United States Army Special Operations Command (Airborne) (Troop Program Unit), Fort Bragg, NC; United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) Fort Bragg, NC; 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg; 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO. She has served during every major contingency operation including - Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Restore Hope, Provide Comfort, Joint Endeavor and Nobel Eagle. She toured extensively throughout Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar and Uzbekistan. Ms. Jones has been featured in multiple newspapers and magazines around the world, including Ebony, Jet and was highlighted in Essence Magazine’s Anniversary Edition as 1 of 35 of the World’s Most Remarkable Women. She has appeared on the nationally syndicated Tavis Smiley Show, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Steve Harvey Morning Show and numerous radio stations. Additionally, she has served as a panelist at several universities across the nation and at the “Women Shaping the World Summit” in New York City. Ms. Jones is continuously invited as a keynote speaker for various military and civilian organizations. She is the 2005 recipient of the NAACP Meritorious Service Award, the only enlisted service member to receive the award in the NAACP history. In 2009, she received both the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Inc., Spirit of Democracy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ford Foundation’s Freedom’s Sister Award, and the Fullwood Foundation’s President’s Award and is the 2011 recipient of the National Congress of Black Women’s “Shirley Chisholm Trailblazer Award”. She was selected to speak at the Democratic National Convention and served as a surrogate speaker, throughout the country, during the Presidential campaign for then Senator Barack Obama. She continues to serve the community, youth and the elderly as a motivational speaker for both the civilian community and the Army’s Planning For life Program- speaking to over 45,000 middle and high school students in the U.S. and abroad from 2007-2009. She is facilitator for the Family Leadership Institute- conducting workshops to help parents become leaders in their homes. Additionally, she is a principle agent for the Army’s H3 Program (Healing Helping Hiring Wounded Warriors), and continues to be an advocate and speaker for the military. She is President and CEO of The Bones Theory Group, L.L.C. Some of her awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Parachutist Badge, German Army Forces Airborne Wings, and Royal Thai Airborne Wings. Ms. Jones has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Cum Laude) in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University, a constituent Institution of the University of North Carolina. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Management and International Relations.

Susan S. Kelly, Ph.D. Special Advisor Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy

On August 1, 2011, Dr. Susan S. Kelly was selected as the Special Advisor for the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy (WWCTP), Office of the Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness). Dr. Kelly is a member of the Senior Executive Service. Dr. Kelly is responsible for DoD Transition Assistance Program oversight and policy development for DoD transition assistance related initiatives. In this capacity, she will also manage the transformation of the DoD Transition Assistance Program in order to meet the transition needs of the next generation of Warriors and their families. Dr. Kelly has an extensive history of helping organizations successfully transform and excel in meeting performance management goals based upon key strategic priorities. Prior to serving in her current position, Dr. Kelly served as the Special Assistant, Deputy Chief Management Officer (DCMO). She led DCMO’s response to the Secretary of Defense’s direction to infuse risk into decision making processes in the DOD. Her first senior executive level position in the Defense Department was as Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Performance Management, Executive Secretariat for Joint Executive Council/Senior Oversight Committee for Wounded Ill and Injured. Prior to this Dr. Kelly served in policy and strategic planning roles in the Department of Defense while assigned to the Pentagon. Dr. Kelly also served as the acting Director for the new Defense Language Office and authored the Department’s Language Transformation Plan. Dr. Kelly holds a doctorate in Marriage and Family from St. Louis University; a Masters of Arts in Education and Counseling from the University of Georgia; and a Bachelors of Arts in Social and Behavioral Science from the University of South Florida. She has been awarded various awards and meritorious citations including the USAFE Commander’s Award of Excellence and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service.      

Stephen M. King Director of Disability Programs U.S. Department of Defense Stephen M. King began his federal career in 1998 as a Statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau. In 2001, Stephen joined the Recruitment and Diversity Branch of the Census Bureau's Human Resources Division. In this capacity, he was instrumental in developing an effective recruiter training program, which for the first time addressed disability related initiatives and concerns. Additionally, Stephen redesigned recruiter manuals, assisted in the creation of marketing materials, including media targeting the Hispanic and disability communities, and designed and implemented changes to the on-campus student interview process. In 2003, he was selected to be the Census Bureau's first Disability Program Manager (DPM). As the DPM, Stephen was instrumental in developing a model disability program, including increasing the use of hiring authorities targeting persons with disabilities and veterans, addressing accessibility concerns for Census's new headquarters, and developing and implementing streamlined reasonable accommodation procedures. Under Mr. King’s leadership, the U.S. Census Bureau led the U.S. Department of Commerce in providing employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities. In April 2009, Stephen was detailed to the Department of Defense (DoD) to lead the Department’s participation in a joint effort with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to develop and deliver a comprehensive training course for federal Disability Program Managers. Today, the course is considered essential to effective disability program management within the federal sector. In November 2009, Stephen became the DoD’s Director of Disability Programs, Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO). In his role, Stephen serves as a DoD spokesperson and subject matter expert on the employment of individuals with disabilities, is a Co-Chair of the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for college students and recent graduates with disabilities, and leads ODMEO’s efforts to assist wounded service members transitioning to civilian life. Mr. King represents the Office of the Secretary of Defense on the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities (ICC), serves as the DoD liaison on the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. Access Board), and in collaboration with the DoD Office of Civilian Personnel Policy, is responsible for the Department’s implementation of Executive Order 13548, Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, which mandates federal agencies to hire 100,000 individuals with disabilities by 2015.

René Lerer, M.D. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Magellan Health Services Chairman and Founder, Hero Health Hire René Lerer, M.D., is chairman and chief executive officer of Magellan Health Services, one of the country's leading specialty health care management organizations, leveraging clinical excellence, innovation and operational expertise to manage behavioral health, radiology, specialty pharmaceuticals and Medicaid benefits. With revenue of nearly $3 billion in 2010, Magellan is a market leader with broad and deep experience. The company's customers include health plans, employers and government agencies, serving approximately 31.2 million members in its behavioral health business, 16.3 million in its radiology benefits management segment, and 5.5 million members in its medical pharmacy management product. The Company's Medicaid Administration segment serves 25 states and the District of Columbia. As chairman and CEO, Dr. Lerer is responsible for Magellan's strategic direction and overall growth. Joining the company in 2002, he previously served as president and chief operating officer with responsibility for all operations, including care management centers, and many of the company's enterprise-wide functions, including clinical, product development, information technology, human resources and marketing and communications. During his tenure, he has more than doubled the company's value and diversified Magellan's portfolio of businesses. Dr. Lerer has more than 30 years of health care experience. Prior to joining Magellan, he was co-founder and president of Internet HealthCare Group, a health care technology venture fund. Earlier in his career he served as chief operating officer of Prudential Healthcare nationally and as president of the Travelers Health Network. He also served as senior vice president of operations, pharmacy and disease management with Value Health, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed specialty managed care organization. Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the Internet HealthCare Group. Deeply committed to community issues, particularly related to health care, mental health and education, Dr. Lerer serves as the corporate executive sponsor of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (Connecticut chapter). He also leads an effort by the health care industry to employ and support America's wounded warriors, Hero Health Hire, which currently consists of 25 companies, associations and other health care entities collectively employing more than 300,000 people. In July 2011, Dr. Lerer was appointed to the Board of Regents for Higher Education by Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut. He holds a bachelor's degree in Psychobiology from Oberlin College and a doctor of medicine degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is board-certified in internal medicine.

The Honorable Ray Mabus Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus is the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy. As Secretary, he leads America’s Navy and Marine Corps and is responsible for an annual budget in excess of $150 billion and almost 900,000 people. The Secretary of the Navy is responsible for conducting all the affairs of the Department of the Navy, including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training, and mobilizing. Additionally, he oversees the construction, outfitting, and repair of naval ships, equipment and facilities, and is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs that are consistent with the national security policies and objectives established by the President and the Secretary of Defense. Prior to joining the administration of President Barack Obama, Mabus served in a variety of top posts in government and the private sector. In 1988, Mabus was elected Governor of Mississippi. As the youngest governor of Mississippi in more than 100 years at the time of his election, he stressed education and job creation. He passed B.E.S.T. (Better Education for Success Tomorrow), one of the most comprehensive education reform programs in America, and was named one of Fortune Magazine’s top ten education governors. He was appointed Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Clinton Administration in 1994. During his tenure as Ambassador, a crisis with Iraq was successfully averted and Saudi Arabia officially abandoned the boycott of United States businesses that trade with Israel. He also was Chairman and CEO of Foamex, a large manufacturing company, which he led out of bankruptcy in less than nine months paying all creditors in full and saving equity. Prior to becoming Governor, he was elected State Auditor of Mississippi and served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. In June 2010, President Obama asked Secretary Mabus to prepare a long-term recovery plan for the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. After extensive travel and many meetings, his report “America’s Gulf Coast: A Long-Term Recovery Plan After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill” was released in September 2010. The report was met with broad bi-partisan support. Secretary Mabus is a native of Ackerman, Mississippi, and received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Mississippi, a Master’s Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and a Law Degree from Harvard Law School. He has been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award, the U.S. Army’s distinguished Civilian Service Award, the Martin Luther King Social Responsibility Award from the King Center in Atlanta, the National Wildlife Federation Conservation Achievement Award, the King Abdul Aziz Award from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Mississippi Association of Educators’ Friend of Education Award.

Dennis O. May Chief of the Veterans Recruitment Veteran Employment Services Office Office of Human Resources and Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Dennis O. May is the Chief of the Veterans Recruitment, Veteran Employment Services Office, Office of Human Resources and Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. He is responsible for implementing a recently established service created to attract, recruit, and hire Veterans within the Department, particularly severely injured Veterans from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His team of Regional Veterans Employment Coordinators (RVECs) works collaboratively with more than 160 local Veterans Employment Coordinators at HR offices nationwide to provide direct, hands-on employment assistance to our Nation's Veterans. Mr. May came to VA after a successful Air Force career, where he retired in the grade of Colonel in 2007. He was commissioned in 1981 as a graduate of the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Arkansas, earning a bachelor of science degree in public administration. He later earned a master of science degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. While on active duty, Mr. May held a variety of key assignments in administration, manpower, and personnel career fields. He served on the Air Staff, at Joint commands, and at Major Command levels. He also commanded the 17th Mission Support Squadron, Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, which was twice named best mission support squadron in Air Education and Training Command. He served in the Pentagon as Director of the Headquarters Air Force Executive Secretariat, as well as Chief of Personnel Issues for the Secretary of the Air Force's Executive Issues Team. Mr. May earned many awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He also earned "Best in the Air Force" recognition as Air Force Senior Personnel Manager of the year for 2000. Prior to assuming his current position, he was Chief of the Assignment Programs and Procedures Division, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, where he led a team of military and civilian professionals in the successful creation and execution of the Air Force's $1.3 billion relocation budget.

Colonel John L. Mayer Commanding Officer U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment Colonel John L. Mayer enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in June 1981, attended Marine Corps Recruit Training in San Diego and served as a Scout-Sniper with 3d Battalion, 24th Marines until commissioning in 1983. As an officer, he has served in a variety of command, instructor, staff, and student assignments. Upon completion of The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course in December 1984, Colonel Mayer transferred to I Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines. He held billets as a rifle platoon commander, rifle company executive officer, and battalion assistant operations officer. In December 1987, Col. Mayer transferred to The Basic School and served as a tactics instructor and staff platoon commander. Upon completion of this assignment, he reported to The School of Infantry at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and served as commanding officer, F Company; operations officer, Marine Combat Training Battalion; and chief instructor. Col. Mayer graduated from the Amphibious Warfare School in May 1993 and reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). During his four-year tour with the battalion, he served as commanding officer, Weapons Company; operations officer; and executive officer; and completed two Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) deployments. In August 1997, Col. Mayer attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting. In 1999, Col. Mayer transferred to the Marine Corps War Fighting Laboratory, where he served as operations officer and second-in-command of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (Experimental) (SPMAGTF(X)). In August 2001, Col. Mayer transferred to the 1st Marine Division (Rein) and served as G-3 Plans Officer. He assumed command of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (1/4) on 14 August 2002 and led the battalion through two combat tours to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I and II. During his first tour in Iraq, he served as the military governor of Babylon Province. During OIF II, 1/4 served as the Ground Combat Element for 11th MEU (SOC) and participated in the Battle of Najaf in August 2004. He relinquished command of the battalion in January 2005 and attended Top-Level School at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.

Upon completion of school, Col. Mayer commanded 31st MEU (31 MEU), home stationed in Okinawa, Japan from June 2006 to June 2008. From June 2008 to June 2010, Col. Mayer was the deputy commander, Joint Task Force North, Fort Bliss, Texas. This command provides military support to law enforcement agencies in order to anticipate, detect, deter, prevent, and defeat transnational threats to the homeland. His personal awards include the Combat Action Ribbon, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with combat "V" with gold star in lieu of second award, bronze star without devices, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold stars in lieu of third award, the Army Commendation Medal with gold star in lieu of second award, and the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is a Distinguished Graduate of The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School, Command and Staff College, and the Naval War College, and earned two Masters Degrees while attending formal professional military education.

Vice Admiral Kevin M. McCoy Commander Naval Sea Systems Command

A native of Long Island, N.Y., Vice Admiral McCoy graduated from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1978, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. At sea, McCoy served aboard USS Daniel Webster (SSBN 626) and as repair officer aboard USS L. Y. Spear (AS 36). In these assignments he earned his submarine engineering duty qualification and his surface warfare qualification. He was also awarded the Claud A. Jones Award from the American Society of Naval Engineers as "Fleet Engineer of the Year" during his tour onboard Ly Spear.

Ashore, McCoy served in numerous assignments in the Naval Shipyards, including assignment to Mare Island, Charleston, Norfolk, Puget Sound and Portsmouth Naval Shipyards. From 2001-2004, he served as the 80th commander of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. McCoy earned a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and an engineer's degree in Naval Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also earned a Masters in Business Administration Degree from Emory University. Upon selection to flag rank, McCoy served as assistant deputy commander of Industrial Operations of the Naval Sea Systems Command from 2004-2005. From 2005-2008, he served as the Naval Sea Systems Command’s chief engineer. In June 2008, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion to the rank of vice admiral and was assigned as the 42nd commander, Naval Sea Systems Command.

John Molino Executive Vice President, Economic Empowerment The Wounded Warrior Project John M. Molino serves as the Executive Vice President for Economic Empowerment. John brings extensive management experience to WWP. He previously served as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy), formulating policy for the Department of Defense in areas relating to the quality of life for military members and their families. He has also held management positions with the Association of the U.S. Army, American Logistics Association, and TriServ Alliance LLC, a managed health care company. John is a proven leader with an exemplary track record of creating concrete change to the quality of life of our nation's military service members and their families. "I believe strongly that providing our nation's veterans with the tools to build successful and enriching civilian careers is the most significant factor in ensuring the successful rehabilitation and transition of this generation of wounded warriors." John and his wife, Eileen, live in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three grown sons, two of whom are on active duty as officers in the Army.

Daniel L. Nega Director Aviation Readiness and Resource Analysis Department Naval Air Systems Command In June 2009, Mr. Daniel Nega was selected to the Senior Executive Service to serve as the Director of the Aviation Readiness and Resource Analysis Department, within the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Logistics and Industrial Operations Groups. He manages a workforce of over 1,000 logisticians, engineers and operations research analysts, across eight geographic sites. He is responsible for analyzing the impacts of logistics elements, characteristics of weapon systems, and operational deployment patterns on Naval Aviation readiness in support of the Fleet Response Plan (FRP). The Department’s products include readiness & resource assessments, aviation maintenance information systems, technical data and total asset visibility. These activities support Navy-wide efforts led by CFFC, CNAF, HQMC and OPNAV to ensure resource plans are optimally balanced and produce the most affordable readiness solutions. Mr. Nega manages a budget exceeding $400M and influences a program budget approaching $2.0B. Prior to his selection, Mr. Nega was the division manager responsible for leading a national staff of professionals that provided analytical tools, processes and techniques to analyze logistics data to develop optimized solutions of support of Naval Aviation readiness at reduced cost. He is a plank owner of the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Prior to that assignment, Mr. Nega served as a Competency Manager within NAVAIR’s systems engineering organization, leading a team of professionals who successfully executed all aspects of mass properties engineering in support of Naval Aviation programs. He was directly responsible for the successful mass properties engineering of two aviation development programs, the MV-22 and the F/A-18E/F. He is a recognized technical expert in the field of Mass Properties Engineering. Mr. Nega earned his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering in 1986 from the University of Michigan. He is a graduate of NAVAIR’s Senior Executive Management Development Program and a member of the Acquisition Professional Community. He is a recipient of the Association of Naval Aviation “Edward H. Heinemann” Award for outstanding achievement in aircraft design.

Bill Nelson Executive Director USA Cares Bill is a native of North Carolina where he attended high school and college. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prior to being commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in 1972. Nelson served on active duty for 20 years, retiring from the Navy in the rank of Commander in 1992.

During this time he served on a variety of ships from destroyers and frigates to aircraft carriers. His service included combat action in Vietnam, Libya, and Beirut for which he received the Combat Action Ribbon, numerous meritorious achievement awards, and expeditionary medals. He also was assigned to the Pentagon and the staff of the Secretary of the Navy where he worked as a Strategic Planner and later as an instructor at the Naval War College in Newport, RI. Following active naval service, Nelson acquired several securities licenses and worked in the financial services industry as a financial planner. He was the National District Manager of the Year in 2002 and remained in sales management for a number of years in both New England and Kentucky. He culminated over 15 years in the securities field when he accepted the position of Executive Director for USA Cares, a Kentucky-based non-profit whose purpose is to aid military families in need. He has held this position for 2 years during which time he has raised millions from individual donors and large foundations. Mr. Nelson earned his Master’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, DC and has been married for 33 years. He is active in a variety of community endeavors including Boy Scouts (he and his son are both Eagles). His two children and grandchildren reside in Kentucky.

Rear Admiral John Clarke Orzalli Vice Commander Naval Sea Systems Command Rear Admiral John Clarke Orzalli, currently assigned as Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) vice commander, is the son of a retired Navy captain. He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978. At sea, he served aboard USS Snook (SSN 592) as an engineering division and weapons officer; and as USS Helena’s (SSN 725) engineering officer. Ashore, Orzalli has served at the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as tours at Naval Shipyards in Mare Island, Puget Sound and Portsmouth. Orzalli was the forty-fifth shipyard commander at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from 2002 - 2005. During his command tour, he assumed additional duties in establishing the Northwest Regional Maintenance Center. Following selection to flag rank, Orzalli was the deputy director, Fleet Readiness Division, OPNAV (N43B); commanding officer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, then established commander, Regional Maintenance Centers. Most recently, Orazalli was the director, Fleet Maintenance on the staff of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. His service decorations include the Legion of Merit (with four stars), the Meritorious Service Medal (with two stars), Navy Commendation Medal (with star), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (with three stars) and various other unit and operational awards. Orzalli holds a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering degree from the US Naval Academy, Naval Engineer and Masters of Materials Science and Engineering degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in Systems Management from Golden Gate University.

Brian J. Persons Executive Director Naval Sea Systems Command After graduating from Michigan State University in June 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering, Mr. Persons began his professional career at NAVSEA as a GS-7 Naval Architect in the Design Division at Long Beach Naval Shipyard. There he worked on numerous surface ship overhauls including the reactivation of the battleships USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) and USS MISSOURI (BB 63), restoration repairs to the missile damaged USS STARK (FFG 31) and was a member of the voyage repair team sent to the Persian Gulf assess and repair the mine-damaged USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58). He was selected in 1989 to the NAVSEA Commander’s Development Program and performed various developmental rotational assignments and training opportunities that culminated in him being selected as the Director of Maintenance and Modernization position for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. In 1996, Mr. Persons returned to NAVSEA as the Assistant Program Manager for CVN 77 and was subsequently selected to be the first Deputy Program Manager for the Future Aircraft Carrier Program Office (PMS 378). In February 2000, Mr. Persons was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and was selected as the Executive Director for the Program Executive Office, Aircraft Carriers where he was the Senior Civilian Official responsible and accountable for a program portfolio of $40B and all aspects of future aircraft carrier platform development and the material combat readiness of the in-service aircraft carrier fleet for the U.S. Navy. In 2006, Mr. Persons selected as the Executive Director for Naval Systems Engineering Directorate at NAVSEA where he was the Senior Civilian Chief Engineer and Chief Technology Officer. In this capacity, he was responsible for implementing technical authority for all research, development, technology transition, design, engineering and certification efforts for surface ships, submarines and aircraft carriers and their sub-systems of the United States Navy. He was also the leader of the Research and Systems Engineering Competency at NAVSEA where he was responsible for developing and maintaining standards, processes, policies, workload forecasting and career management guidance for a national workforce of over 20,000 scientists and engineers. Mr. Persons is currently the Executive Director of NAVSEA, where he is the senior civilian of the Navy’s largest Systems Command with direct responsibility for a professional and industrial workforce of over 53,000 and an annual operating budget of $30 billion.

Mr. Persons has a Master of Science degree in Technology Management from the University of Maryland. He is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management and was awarded a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from Virginia Polytechnic University. Mr. Persons has received numerous awards over his career that included two Navy Superior Civilian Service Medals and the Senior Executive Service Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in 2004 and the Senior Executive Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2008.

Holly Petraeus Assistant Director Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office of Servicemember Affairs Holly Petraeus is leading the creation of the Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This office will partner with the Pentagon to see that military families receive strong financial education; it will monitor complaints from military families and responses to those complaints by the CFPB and other agencies; and it will see that federal and state agencies coordinate their activities to improve consumer protection measures for military families.

Prior to joining the CFPB Implementation Team, Mrs. Petraeus spent six years as the Director of BBB Military Line, a program of the Council of Better Business Bureaus providing consumer education and advocacy for servicemembers and their families. In that role, she oversaw a national program that worked with the Department of Defense as a partner in the DoD Financial Readiness Campaign and fostered outreach from the 120 local Better Business Bureaus to military communities across the United States.

With the BBB, Mrs. Petraeus made on-site visits to a number of military installations, working to establish the relationships between local BBB personnel and military authorities. She guided development of teen and adult curricula taught to over 10,000 individuals in military communities around the United States. In addition, she published a monthly military consumer newsletter, and she oversaw content posted on six BBB Military Line websites.

A military spouse of 36 years and a former Department of the Army civilian employee, Mrs. Petraeus also has extensive experience as a volunteer leader in military family programs. In that role she has worked with local, state and national legislators on issues affecting Army families, to include testifying at two U.S. Senate hearings on deployment-related issues.

Mrs. Petraeus is a summa cum laude graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is a recipient of the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award, the Boy Scouts of America “Service to Families” Award and the Department of the Army Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.

John I. Pray, Jr.

Executive Vice President, Chief of Staff Wounded Warrior Programs, USO Brigadier General (Retired) John I. Pray, Jr. joined the senior staff team in 2009 and as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, he is responsible for providing executive level leadership and management in the planning and execution of day-to-day operations and activities throughout the organization. Previously, John ran the USO Entertainment/ Programs Department delivering spirit-lifting programming to hundreds of thousands of troops and their families every year. Prior to coming to the USO, John served as the Executive Vice President for the Systems and Proposal Engineering Company.

John has more than 27 years of experience in military operations, having commanded Air Force units at the squadron, group and wing levels, and also served as the Director of the White House Situation Room. He retired from active duty in 2007 when selected as the Executive Secretary of the National Security Council. John holds a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy and Masters degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the School of Advanced Airpower Studies and the Air War College. He has also completed senior executive programs at the Columbia University Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School.

John U. Sepúlveda Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

John U. Sepúlveda was nominated by President Obama to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration for the Department of Veterans Affairs and subsequently confirmed by the Senate on May 18, 2009. He was sworn in by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shinseki, on May 20, 2009. As Assistant Secretary and VA’s Chief Human Capital Officer, Mr. Sepúlveda serves as principal advisor to the Secretary, his executive staff, and the Department’s human resources managers and practitioners on matters pertaining to human resources; labor-management relations; diversity management and equal employment opportunity; resolution management; employee health and safety; workers’ compensation; and VA Central Office administration. Mr. Sepúlveda brings over 25 years of experience as an innovative leader in the public and private sectors. As Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) during the Clinton Administration, Mr. Sepúlveda led various initiatives to promote greater diversity throughout the U.S. Government, including increasing the representation of Latinos within the Federal workforce. While at OPM, he served on the White House Interagency Task Force on Asian American and Pacific Islanders, the President’s Council for Y2K Conversion, and the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency. He recently served on the Obama-Biden Presidential Transition Team as an advisor to the OPM agency review team. Before joining OPM, Mr. Sepúlveda successfully managed a $5 billion portfolio of federally-insured hospital mortgages at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. He also led efforts to restructure and reengineer several major programs within the Federal Housing Administration. From 1996-1997, he worked at the White House in the Office of Presidential Personnel. Since 2004, Mr. Sepúlveda has served on a special panel advising the Director of National Intelligence and various intelligence agencies on human capital and diversity policy issues. For the past several years, he worked as a senior executive in the housing finance industry. Before coming to Washington, D.C., in 1993, Mr. Sepúlveda held various local and state executive and appointed positions in Connecticut. Early in his career, he taught political science at Hunter College and Yale University. A native of New York City, Mr. Sepúlveda holds two Masters degrees from Yale University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College.

Chad Sowash Vice President of Business Development DirectEmployers Association Chad Sowash is Vice President of Business Development with DirectEmployers Association. Chad is a leading authority in the online recruiting and marketing space, a result of working his way up through the online industry ranks since 1998 with Online Career Center, Monster and currently with DirectEmployers Association. Chad's team is responsible for many aspects of Association business which include leading the National Labor Exchange efforts and developments, distributing jobs to veterans through VetCentral, fostering alliances, partnerships and uncovering innovative technologies and business opportunities. Chad’s experience developed quickly by working side by side with online recruiting industries top talent to include online recruiting founding father, Bill Warren. Chad interfaces daily with talent acquisition leaders from the Fortune 500 keeping him in tune with the ever changing talent market and industry innovation. Chad's leadership skills stem from his 20 years of experience in the U.S. Army and U.S Army Reserve where he attended many leadership schools, worked as an Infantry Drill Sergeant and is a combat veteran. Chad’s unit was activated in March of 2008 to serve the same soldierization mission (Basic Training) it had performed in 2004-2006 at Fort Benning, GA. He was able to complete Level 3 of the Army’s Combatives Program, attended the Asymmetric Warfare Group’s Marksmanship course, and was recognized by Major General Kirkland on the M9 pistol range for flawless execution and by Major General Barbero, Fort Benning Post Commander, for NBC, CNN, NPR and other media attention stemming from his work with VetCentral. Chad was tasked by MG Barbero to consult the Wounded Warriors Transition Battalion Command Group in their efforts to help wounded soldiers find jobs. Chad has received numerous awards, during his 20 years of service, but is especially proud of receiving the Order of Saint Maurice from the National Infantry Association for conspicuous contribution to the United States Infantry. Chad retired from USAR in August 2009 and resides in beautiful Columbus, Indiana with his wife Tracy, sons Hayden and Logan and daughter Ema.

Colonel David W. Sutherland Special Assistant, Warrior and Family Support Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs Colonel David W. Sutherland was commissioned an Infantry Officer in 1983 and holds a Bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University in History and Economics and a Masters in Strategic Studies. Colonel Sutherland attended all levels of military education including Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, and is a Senior Service College Graduate – Advanced Operational Studies Fellowship. He has served in staff positions at Battalion through Division. While assigned as a Brigade staff officer he deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Vigilant Warrior in 1994. Colonel Sutherland has also commanded at all levels from Platoon through Brigade. As a Company Commander he deployed to South West Asia as part of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. While commanding 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team “Greywolf,” 1st Cavalry Division Sutherland deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Sutherland served as the Coalition Force Commander in Diyala Province from October 2006 – December 2007 which included surge operations. In July 2008, Colonel Sutherland was assigned to the Joint Staff as the Division Chief in J5 (Plans, Policy, and Strategy), Middle East Region. Colonel Sutherland is currently serving as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff with principle focus on Warrior and Family Support. Awards and decorations include, among others, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge Second Award, and Senior Parachutist Badge. He is also the 2008 Freedom Award recipient presented by the No Greater Sacrifice Foundation and the 2011 Meritorious Service Award recipient presented by the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans for his work on behalf of returning Service Members, Veterans, Military Families, and Families of the Fallen. Team Sutherland’s roster includes Colonel Sutherland, his wife Bonnie and their two sons, Andrew and Patrick.

Nadine O. Vogel

President Springboard Consulting, LLC

Nadine O. Vogel is Founder and President of Springboard Consulting LLC. Springboard collaborates with multinational corporations, Federal governments and national agencies on initiatives to successfully mainstream disability in the workforce, workplace and marketplace. Springboard also produces the Disability Matters Awards Banquet and Conference which honors those firms that are making great strides in supporting this segment of the population, now the largest minority segment in the world, through diversity, work-life, human resource and marketing/branding initiatives.

Prior to founding Springboard, Nadine held a variety of executive positions in both Corporate America and the non-profit sectors.

Vogel is the author of DIVE IN, Springboard into the Profitability, Productivity and Potential of the Special Needs Workforce, a highly acclaimed must-read business book. She is a regular contributor to Profiles in Diversity Journal and has authored articles for many other professional, industry and consumer publications. Nadine is also recognized as a powerful informational, motivational and inspirational speaker. Recognized for her civic and professional activities, Vogel has received many awards and accolades including:

Selected as one of Diversity MBA’s 2011 Top 100 under 50 Executive Leaders, a 2011 recipient of the American Association for Affirmative Action Edward M. Kennedy Community Service Award, the Inaugural M2Moms 2010 MomFirst Award, One Mom’s Idea That Made a Difference, The YAI, Business Advisory Council 2010 Advocacy Award, NJ BIZ Magazine’s 2008 Best 50 Women in Business Award, The Count Me In, 2008 Make Mine a Million $ Business Program Award, The 2007 Howard L. Green Humanitarian Award from the NJ Broadcasters Association, The College of Charleston's 2003 Distinguished Alumni Award, The Voices Award 2003 -individuals who have made a difference in the community, The Golden Gate University's 2002 Alumni Community Service Award, The Fast Company Magazine's 2002 debut list of "Fast 50" innovators -- individuals whose achievements helped change their companies or society, The Working Mother Magazine's Mothers We Love Top 25 List in 2000 and the magazine's 2000 Mothering That Works Award, and numerous elections to a variety of editions to Who’s Who.

Vogel has been featured on NBC News, CNNfn, Lifetime Live on the Lifetime Channel, Good Day NY and Oxygen Television's Pure Oxygen program. She is the founder and past president of the board of SNAP, Special Needs Advocate for Parents, a member of the College of Charleston Department of Communications Professional Advisory Council, a member of the New Jersey State Employment & Training Commission

Disability Issues Committee, a Founding Board Member of the Society for Diversity and a member of the SHRM Workplace Diversity Special Expertise Panel.

Vogel received an MBA from Golden Gate University in San Francisco, CA and a BS in Industrial Psychology from the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and two daughters, both of whom have special needs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brigadier General Darryl A. Williams

Assistant Surgeon General of Warrior Care and Transition and Commander of the Warrior Transition Command

BG Darryl A. Williams was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1983. After graduation, he attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. In his first assignments he served as an executive officer, and fire direction officer in the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, and platoon leader and assistant operations officer in 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany. Upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, he served as an assistant operations officer for the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery and battery commander for the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment at Ft. Bragg, NC, during which he deployed to South West Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

After redeploying, he earned a MA in leadership development through the Dwight D. Eisenhower Fellowship Program at the United States Military Academy, and then served as the I-2 Company Tactical Officer, United States Corps of Cadets. He next completed the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Ft. Leavenworth, KS earning a MMAS degree.

His next assignments included G3 plans officer on the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) staff and operations officer for the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery, Fort Hood, Texas. After serving as the Army Aide to the President of the United States from 1998-2000, he was selected to command 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery in 4ID, Fort Hood, Texas. Upon completion of command, he served as the Fourth Regimental Tactical officer at West Point, NY.

After earning a MS in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College in Newport, RI, he was assigned as the Chief of Exercises, G3 for USAREUR, in Heidelberg, Germany. BG Williams then commanded 1st Armored Division Artillery in Baumholder, Germany and after two years of command, he inactivated the DIVARTY, and deployed to Iraq in support of OIF with 1st Armored Division, as the Fires and Effects Coordinator. Since redeployment, he has been serving as the Deputy Director for Comprehensive Soldier Fitness, HQDA G-3/5/7.

BG Williams’ military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (with one oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with five Oak leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, and the Parachutist Badge.

Captain Valerie L. Zimmerman Navy Safe Harbor

Captain Zimmerman is a native of Danville, PA and a 1977 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She joined the United States Navy Reserve as a Direct Commission Officer in May 1987. She is currently on Active Duty as the Policy Analyst for the Navy Safe Harbor Program in Washington, DC and is a member of the Navy’s Human Resources Executive Board. Her first assignment was with the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Command, Washington, DC, as the Message Processing Supervisor. She subsequently served as Administrative Department Head and Assistant Operations Officer. During a temporary assignment in Germany with her civilian employer, she received her Communications Watch Officer Qualification while serving at Naval Communications Unit, London.

In 1994 she joined Logistics Task Force HQ 306, Norfolk, VA, as the Assistant Plans Officer. During this tenure, she served as the Administrative Support Officer for the Senior Naval Reserve Officer Orientation Course (SNROOC) and attained qualification as a Logistics Readiness Center Watch Officer, completing this tour as the Logistics Planning Officer in support of CINCLANTFLT operations.

Captain Zimmerman joined Navy Command Center 106 in October of 1996 as the Security Officer, supporting this high visibility CNO operational support unit of 120 personnel. Over the course of an extended tour, she held increasingly responsible positions in the Administration, Training, and Operations Departments, and was the Command’s liaison to the Site-R Alternate Navy Operations Center. She was a primary contributor to the OPNAV Continuity of Operations Plan and supported the development of NOC watch procedures post 9-11. She was one of the unit’s first non-warfare qualified officers to attain watchstander qualification as a Navy Department Duty Officer for the Pentagon’s Navy Operations Center (NOC). Following the events of September 11, 2001, she was recalled to Active Duty and coordinated the Rapid Response Team to establish the Alternate NOC at Site-R. She acted as aide to the Chief Staff Officer, coordinating the relocation of NR NCC 106 and supporting CACO activities for unit members killed at the Pentagon.

In October 2002 she reported to Naval Personnel Command Detachment Washington, DC Component 506 where she served as Executive Officer and Acting Commanding Officer from June 2004 to September 2004. From 01 October 2004 until her mobilization in October 2005 she was the Commanding Officer of NR PMT Groton, CT, which was moved to Norfolk, VA in April 2006. She completed a 2-year mobilization as the OIC, Navy Mobilization Processing Site, Norfolk, VA in October 2007 and served as the N12 Branch Head for NR OPNAV MPTE from December 2007

to August 2009 and Acting CO from August to November 2009. CAPT Zimmerman completed her milestone tour as Commanding Officer of NR CNO Management Analysis in Washington, DC from December 2009 to June 2011. She served on Active Duty from October 2010 to September 2011 as Branch Head for Joint Manpower Management (OPNAV N123) and is currently assigned to the NR Voluntary Training Unit, Washington, DC.