Conference Speakers
Jack L. Tilley
A native of Vancouver, Washington, Jack was sworn in as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army on June 23, 2000 and served until January 15, 2004. A career soldier, he had held many leadership positions
within the Department of the Army and Unified Command environments.
As Sergeant Major of the Army, Tilley served as the Army Chief of Staffs personal advisor on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life. He devoted the majority of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to soldiers and their families . He sits on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted soldiers and their families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress.
A Vietnam War veteran, Jack has held a variety of important leadership positions throughout his 36 year career including tank commander, section leader, drill sergeant, platoon sergeant, senior instructor, operations sergeant, first sergeant and command sergeant major. His military education includes the First Sergeants Course and the Sergeants Major Academy.
Among his numerous awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star with V Device, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals.
After retirement, Jack has continued his advocacy for all service members. He is co-chairman of the American Freedom Foundation, a 501(c)3 public benefit corporation organized to honor veterans of America's armed forces and raise money and awareness for various veterans' organizations with special emphasis directed to welfare and educational issues facing those wounded in action, those disabled and families and children of veterans killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has worked tirelessly with the organization managing the annual successful fund-raising benefit concerts with top named
entertainment.
Jack has also become a successful management consultant, working with top Fortune 500 companies on a variety of projects and programs that are unique to the military community. He is President/CEO of J.Tilley Inc., founded in 2005 . Co-founder of Pinnacle Five, LLC, a marketing, consulting and contracting company, crafted with members which held the senior enlisted position within the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
A well sought after public speaker, whose primary topic raises the public consciousness in support of military service members and veterans. Jack is currently Senior Vice President for Leadership Development with NewDay USA, a senior advisor to the American Security Council Foundation, and a member of Mission Readiness: Military Leaders for Kids.
Suzanne (Suze) Aguirre
Suzanne “Suze” Aguirre began working with the U. S. Small Business Administration in October 1982 as a student trainee in the 8(a) division. After a short time away from the Agency, she returned in August 1985 and to date has been with the Agency a total of thirty-five (35) years. She has held several positions in both the El Paso District and Disaster Offices. As a Business Opportunity Specialist, her main focus has always been to assist small businesses, with emphasis on business development and government contracting for 8(a) certified companies, HUBZone certified companies, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), Service-Disabled Veterans/Veterans (SDVs) and Woman-Owned small businesses. She currently holds a FAC-C Level 1 certification to assist small businesses to navigate through federal government contracting programs. Suze is the District Office Technical Representative for the Women’s Business Border Center and an acts in an advisory capacity to the Women’s Business Border Center and the El Paso 8(a) and Government Contractors Association.
In her spare time, Suze is very passionate about Swimming and currently serves on the board of the El Paso High School Swim Team Booster Club, is a member of USA Swimming, WETT Swim Team and is a certified USA Swimming Official.
Greg Oberman
In 1982, at the age of 18, Greg Oberman started an entry level position at the El Paso Times and Herald Post newspapers owned by the Gannett Corporation and Scripts Howard. There he worked his way up the corporate ladder. During his time there, he was sent to several locations throughout the country to solve issues the company was experiencing. He continued expanding his management skills until departing from the company in 2008. During the 26 years with Gannett Corporation, he held several positions from district assistant to operations manager. Shortly after he became the office manager at ICON Enterprises, an abatement contractor, responsible for removing hazardous materials from buildings and military tanks located at White Sands Missile Range.
In 2010, he began his employment at MRG Of Texas it is there he began to work with various contractors helping them with payroll services and management support. In 2011 Greg was licensed to sell insurance through the state. Greg is appointed with numerous insurance companies and brokers. Greg had the passion of helping his customers and providing great customer service. It is there where Greg began his consulting services and offered great lines of all types of business insurances ultimately receiving the greatest complement - referrals from his clients.
In 2017 Greg Oberman, founded Oberman, Inc. dba: Facilities Support Solutions. The company has become a full service management company. Many businesses have successfully started and continue to grow due to the quality of services that Facilities Support Solutions provides. With the goal of saving money and protecting companies, Facilities Support Solutions offers management, insurance and payroll services. We are your solution to controlling employee cost and an affordable alternative to employee leasing!!
Carolyn L. Staten
Carolyn L. Staten is a native of Louisiana; she is continuing to pursue her BPA in Public Administrations with an emphasis on Law. She began her federal civil service career in 1982 and during these years has served as a Senior Contracting Officer 1102 for the Department of Justice as well Department of Defense, Army. Serving agencies include Department of Justice - Bureau of Prisons, Army Contracting Agency, U.S. MEDCOM and the Corps of Engineers. She began her career with civil services beginning her being stationed in Germany then on to, Fort Polk, Korea, Fort Hood, Fort Sam Houston and present Fort Worth, Texas.
Carolyn Staten has been appointed as the Deputy for the Office of Small Business Programs for the Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District. Her role is to “aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns in order to preserve free competitive enterprise, to ensure that a fair proportion of the total purchases and contracts or subcontracts for property and services for the Government be placed with small business enterprises.”
John Mattox
John’s practice spans the breadth of federal procurement law, from dispute resolution to transactional matters. He has worked on matters before SBA’s Office of Hearing and Appeals, the Government Accountability Office, the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, and the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. In addition, he has assisted clients with, among other things, joint venture agreements, teaming agreements, mentor-protégé agreements, and subcontracts.
Before joining the firm, John practiced business litigation at a national law firm in Kansas City, Missouri. There, he honed his advocacy skills by drafting appellate briefs in multiple courts of appeals; drafting numerous dispositive and other motions in state and federal courts; and assisting in bench and jury trials. In addition, he became a specialist in researching and analyzing complex issues under state and federal law. In tandem with a detail-oriented mindset, John draws on this experience daily to formulate pragmatic solutions for clients.
John prizes every moment he spends with his wife and three children. Together, they enjoy taking day trips, learning, playing, and serving in their church congregation. Personally, John relishes good books, both fiction and non-fiction, and never skips over a used bookstore
Elke Mosholder
Elke Mosholder is a Procurement Specialist with the El Paso Community College, Contract Opportunities Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) where she provides technical counseling assistance to businesses interested in pursuing government contracting with federal, state and local municipalities. Previously, Elke was a Procurement Advisor with the Southern Region New Mexico PTAC and formerly a Quality Assurance Manager and COTR for the U. S Department of Justice. Elke has over 30 years of experience in government procurement. She is a Certified Quality Assurance Manager, Certified ISO 9000 Documentation Auditor. She holds an APTAC Regional Certified Level 2- Associate Contracting Assistance Specialist.
Joe Ferguson
Over 30 years of experience in manufacturing, plant management, engineering, international sourcing, and business ownership. Business related travel has allowed him to work extensively throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. As a business owner, he was directly involved in the start-up of two apparel factories in north-central Mexico. His management experience includes establishing continuous improvement processes in quality assurance, staff management training and development, cost reduction through sound engineering principles, new product development, and sales and marketing. He has owned two different businesses in the El Paso area.
Mr. Ferguson is currently employed by El Paso Community College’s Small Business Development Center since December 2008. He currently holds the position of Center Director. He and his staff are committed to assisting small businesses in their growth plans and improving the El Paso community one business at a time.
Kevin Grimes
Mr. Grimes is the Chief Executive Officer of CFOL International, Inc. (CFOL). CFOL is one of the leading federal professional services and training firms in the nation. CFOL has successfully supported clients in over $500M ($.5Billion) in contracts with the DOE, NASA, Department of Army, Department of Navy, NSA, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, USDA, and other federal agencies across the country.
CFOL is an 8(a)/SDVOSB/HUBZone firm that has provided consulting services and training for over 2,000 members of the federal contracting community since 2009, including DOD Contracting Officers, employees of federal agencies, and large/small businesses. CFOL has created and delivered custom curriculum to over 20 colleges and universities with specific emphasis on DoD contracting topics. The list of entities supported includes Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) located in over 30 states.
Mr. Grimes is a veteran of the elite United States Navy Nuclear Submarine Force and is widely held as the youngest person in Naval History to graduate #1 in Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). Mr. Grimes earned a Master’s Degree in Accounting and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida Metropolitan University. He has also pursued doctoral studies in the field of business leadership.
Patricia A Novelo
Patricia A. Novelo, BS, MBA, SSH, CSHO is a consultant for the Occupational Safety and Health Consultation (OSHCON) Program housed in the state agency of the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation and is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). Ms. Novelo was awarded the credential of Specialist in Safety and Health (SSH) General Industry by the University of Texas at Arlington’s (UTA) OSHA Training Institute Education Center on August 13, 2013, was awarded the credential of Specialist in Safety and Health (SSH) Construction Industry on July 8, 2014 and was awarded the credential of Certified Safety & Health Official (CSHO) General Industry on May 11, 2018. Patricia has worked for OSHCON since October 2012 and in that time has performed approximately 600 on-site safety & health consultation visits with Texas private employers. She holds a BS in Health Science and a minor in Community Health Education from the University of Texas at El Paso and an MBA from New Mexico State University with a concentration in Health Service Management. Ms. Novelo is committed to working with small and medium-sized private businesses to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing safety and health management programs.
Chanel Bankston-Carter
Mrs. Bankston-Carter is the Director, of Strategic Outreach and Communications for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, where she is responsible for the outreach, education and training, and communications program which ensures that Veteran-owned and other small businesses have requisite knowledge and access to programs and services to increase their participation in the federal marketplace and with commercial partners. Mrs. Bankston-Carter is responsible for the development of small businesses informational tools, education and training, resource management, and execution of networking opportunities necessary to do business with VA. In addition, she facilitates events that offer small businesses direct access to procurement decision makers (PDM), contracting professionals, and commercial business partners to discuss capabilities; facilitate industry networking and partnerships; and gather market research for future procurements.
Mrs. Bankston-Carter is an Army Veteran. Her VA career began at the VA Veterans Benefits Administration in Waco, TX, where she was out-based at Fort Hood, Texas as a Counseling Psychologist, providing Chapter 31 vocational rehabilitation counseling and employment services to Veterans. From there she moved to the Washington, D.C. Veterans Affairs Central Office and served as the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Liaison for the Eastern United States. She has worked in various positions and programs at VA, to include: Office of the Secretary, Center for Women Veterans, Director of the Customer Service Center at VA Central Office and Program Manager for the Veterans Employment Service Office.
A native of Arkansas, Mrs. Bankston-Carter is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Human Development Family Studies degree with an emphasis on Juvenile Delinquency. She received her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from the University of Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Human Services.
Mrs. Bankston-Carter is a graduate of several VA Leadership programs: The Federal Executive Institute (FEI), Leadership VA (LVA) and the VBA Leadership Enhancements and Development (LEAD) program.
DeLano McVay
DeLano McVay- Program Specialist U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)
Mr. DeLano McVay is a Program Specialist, of Strategic Outreach and Communications for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization where he directly supports the Strategic Outreach and Communications (SOC) Director in ensuring that Veteran-owned and other small businesses have requisite knowledge and access to programs and services to increase their participation in the federal marketplace and with commercial partners. Mr. McVay is responsible for the development of small businesses informational tools, education and training, resource management, and execution of networking opportunities necessary to do business with VA. In addition, he facilitates events that offer small businesses direct access to procurement decision makers (PDMs), contracting professionals, and commercial business partners to discuss capabilities; facilitate industry networking and partnerships; and gather market research for future procurements.
Mr. McVay is a native of Alabama and a Veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. His educational background began at Southern Illinois, Carbondale, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. He received a Master of Science in Quality Systems Management from the National Graduate School, and finally an MBA and MA in Procurement and Acquisitions from Webster University.
Joe Carrillo
Joe Carrillo is a native of El Paso an energetic and innovative business leader specializing in optimizing team dynamics and harnessing strategic and operational drivers to deliver results in aggressive multi-million-dollar industries.
His passion started back in 2005 helping Active Duty Members, Family Members and Veterans through transition with education, guidance to specific careers and a coach to encourage them through times of turbulence.
His 14-year experience in higher education has helped Joe Carrillo advance in cultural acumen, relationship cultivation and negotiation skills, producing fluid operations within American and European Territories.
His three pillars are Education, Public Safety and Infrastructure that will help drive successful economies.
Joe encourages growth for his community because today 63% of the workforce will need some type of education to advance or make an impact in our community.
His goal is to help with traditional education or self-education, and this could be a Certificate, Certification, Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, or a Doctoral Degree. The key is to start somewhere because 3.5 million jobs are not being filled by US companies because of the lack of education.
Joe Carrillo states we must work as one to help drive the economy with Entrepreneurs, Small Business, and Corporations because 76% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck.