AVONDALE, Arizona – In celebration and recognition of Veterans Day, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is partnering with S.E.E.4VETS (Supporting Education and Employment for Vets), Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce and Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce to present a Veterans Career Summit on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014 at 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This networking event will give EMCC Veteran students and alumni the opportunity to learn how best to prepare and position themselves as they transition into the civilian work force, and possibly fine-tune their college education plans. Similarly, the community employers will be able to develop a greater understanding about the concerns and challenges the Veteran students and alumni face, providing support and solutions that could lead to career success.
“It is not a job fair, but rather a way for our Veteran students and alumni to connect with leaders in the business community and learn how to highlight their skills and training,” says Laura Dulgar, EMCC Dean of Student Services.
The Summit will be moderated by S.E.E.4Vets Lt. General (R) Rusty Findley and feature a panel of Veteran business leaders that are committed to paying it forward by mentoring and assisting Veteran college students.
Current and former student Veterans and community business leaders are invited to the event, held in the Estrella Conference Center on the EMCC campus located at 3000 N. Dysart Road in Avondale. It is free with RSVP by Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at [email protected] or 623-935-8962.
EMCC is one of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD).
Program
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. – Lunch Buffet
11:15 – 11:25 a.m. – Welcome, Dr. Ernie Lara, EMCC President and Lt. Gen. (R) Rusty Findley
11:25 – 11:35 a.m. – MCCCD Veteran Alumnus Speaker, Mike Bouey
11:35 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Panel of Business Leaders
12:15 – 12:50 p.m. – Informal Networking
12:50 – 1:00 p.m. – Closing Comments & Next Steps, Lt. Gen. (R) Rusty Findley, S.E.E.4Vets
Panelists
George Henderson, Homestead Financial Group
George Henderson, President and Founder of Homestead Financial Group, has over 40 years of financial leadership and retirement planning experience and has worked in both the government and private sectors, having spent 25 years in service with the federal government. Henderson is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Missouri and an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. He is a licensed life insurance agent and a member of both the National Association for Fixed Annuities and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. In addition, he serves on the board of directors of both Southwest Lending Closet and the Estrella Community College Business Institute. Henderson takes pride in mentoring and supporting next generation business leaders and serves as a Mentor and Education Coordinator for Business Network International.
Bryan Hopkins, EMCC Veteran Alumnus
Hopkins, an Arizona native, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1992 at the age of 18 and served throughout the world until his honorable discharge in 1998. His initial training was in telephone/ data installation and switching and by the time he separated, he was qualified for deployable satellite communications attached to the Marine Corps Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team stationed in Rota, Spain. During his enlistment, he was involved in four major operations and several smaller missions all over the world. Returning to civilian life, Hopkins made a career as a U.S. Department of Defense contractor working for TRW, Northrup Grumman, Lockheed, and General Dynamics as a software/ hardware systems integrator and a systems tester/ analyst. The government sequester of 2011 led to his layoff and return to the academia. During his three years of study, he has earned several degrees and certificates with highest distinction at EMCC, and currently he is working towards his B.S. at Northern Arizona University.
Beryl Shears, Western Pilot Service, Inc.
Shears is founder and president of Western Pilot Service, Inc., located in Phoenix, AZ. He joined the U.S. Marine Corp at seventeen in 1963. At age twenty, he attained the rank of sergeant while serving in Vietnam. After the Marine Corp, Beryl attended Glendale Community College and learned to fly using the GI Bill obtaining Commercial, Multi Engine, Instrument and Flight Instructor ratings. He began his flying career in 1973, joining McNeley Aviation as an Agricultural Pilot. In 1980. Western Pilot Service was formed to provide contract pilot services to Agricultural Aviation companies, obtaining contracts in both the public and private sector from Arizona to Puerto Rico. In 1988 he contracted with the U.S. Department of State and Pierce Aviation for pilot services. In 1993, Western Pilot Service was awarded fire contracts from U.S. Department of Interior. As the Single Engine Air Tanker Program grew through the 1990’s, Western Pilot Service also grew and now operates 13 single engine air tankers throughout the United States.
Paul Smiley, Sonoran Technology and Professional Services
Smiley is the founder and President of Sonoran Technology and Professional Services located in Goodyear, AZ, providing professional services, training and technical solutions for federal and state agencies. Sonoran Technology has been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2011 Small Business Administrator's Award for Excellence, the 2010 Arizona Minority Services Firm of the Year, and the 2009 Small Business Administration Region 9 Veteran Small Business Champion. Smiley is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel with over 1,900 flying hours in the E-3 AWACS aircraft. He is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm, served twice as a Squadron Commander, Deputy Group Commander, Pentagon action officer for the Joint Chief of Staff where he served as a War Planner/Joint Air Operations Strategist. He is a graduate and former instructor at the Air Force’s prestigious Fighter Weapons School, and during his 25 years of service, was awarded multiple medals and citations.