Military Transition Academy Podcast

This episode covers the DoD SkillBrige program and Vets2PM's use of it. The panel is stacked with Vets2PM employees and showcases their capability. It is also loaded with tips for the transitioning veteran. If you are a veteran interested in the program go to www.vets2pm.com/skillbridge to sign up. Then check out www.vets2pm.com/job-board to find opportunities.

If you are a company and you want veteran talent as a competitive edge go to www.vets2pm.com/skillbridgeca today!

During this episode, we explain the differences between leadership and management. Then we cover emotional intelligence (EQ) and its impact on project management.

Concierge Business Solutions (CBS) was born from a desire to serve. CBS founder, Luis A. Montanez, served in the Army for over 20 years. After 3 combat tours serving to build foreign nations, his vision became to form a business that offers construction services for building renovations, maintaining our local communities and national infrastructure.

Our values are the foundation of our work, and this core philosophy drives CBS divisions and employees to deliver above and beyond our clients’ expectations.

Luis has over 20 years of combined experience in the areas of Accounting, Acquisitions, Government Contracting, Military Operations, Financial Management, Real Estate Investing, and Entrepreneurship.

Luis’ formal education consists of a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management, a Bachelors of Business Administration & Accounting and is a Licensed General Contractor for the state of Georgia.

Luis enlisted in the US Army in 1998 and received his direct commission with the US Army Reserves in 2007; retired in 2021 with the rank of Major.

Luis vast acquisition experience was gained through both military and civilian when serving as contingency contracting specialist for the US Army Reserves and as a Sr. Contract Auditor for the Defense Contract Auditing Agency.

Sam Peterson is an accomplished business leader and former explosive ordnance disposal technician in the Army. After deploying three times to Afghanistan and witnessing the mental health struggles of his fellow service members, Sam developed a passion for improving the mental health system.

With a desire to create a comprehensive care environment for veterans and first responders, Sam earned his MBA from Regis University in Denver Colorado and dedicated himself to the development of Mind Spa and Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic. He believes that the unique challenges and needs of this population require specialized care, and is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for veterans and first responders to receive the care they need. Through his dedication and expertise, Sam is working to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who have served our country.

Project Managers need to display an understanding of project roles and responsibilities. During this episode we have a casual conversation about the difference between the roles and responsibilities of project managers and project sponsors, the roles and responsibilities of the project team and the project sponsor, and the importance of the role the project manager plays (e.g., initiator, negotiator, listener, coach, working member, and facilitator).

This episode we are discussing the use of a risk register in a given situation. We are also going to cover a stakeholder register in a given situation. Then finally, explain project closure and transitions.

During episode 3 we cover the purpose and importance of cost, quality, risk, schedule, etc.. Next we move to different deliverables of a project management plan versus product management plan. We finalize with a discussion over milestones and task duration while covering different types of resources.

During this episode we cover why the Global Business Development Association (GBDA) and their certification of Business Development Professional (BDP) is a great fit for veteran talent.

Tony Gray is the Founder and National Director of the Global Business Development Association, GBDAssociation.org and he is a technology executive with 30 years of business development, sales, and customer success with a wide range of experience, from technology startup founder to growth advisor for some of the most elite organizations.

During episode 2 we will discuss issues, risks, assumptions, and constraints. We also cover reviewing and critiquing project scope. Next we cover the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional conduct. Finally we discuss how projects can be a vehicle for change.

Mitch is a visionary father, husband, writer, public speaker, influencer, medically retired combat Veteran, entrepreneur, and continues to serve the United States as a civilian. He is also the founder and CEO of Skullcap Ridge, LLC.
He belongs to numerous nonprofit organizations; including the National Association of Rocketry (NRA), The National Arbor Association, Combat Veteran Motorcycle Association, and Tripoli High Power Rocketry as a certified level 3 member.

He has a Masters in Leadership Studies (MLS) from the University of Texas at El Paso, a B.A.S.c. in Counseling from Johnson University, and numerous professional certifications.

Andrew Michael "Mike" Machata is a Marine Corps veteran and a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who has worked for several well-known financial firms during his career. He is also a Purple Heart recipient, having been injured in combat during his service in the United States Marine Corps.
After serving in the military, he began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he worked as a financial advisor. He later went on to work for other firms, including UBS, E*Trade, and Schwab Private Client, where he gained extensive experience in financial planning and investment management. Mike holds a double degree in Finance and Business Economics from the University of Central Florida, and has also passed Levels 1 and 2 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. He is currently a Level 3 candidate. In 2019, Mike founded Semper Wealth Management, a fee-only financial advisory firm based in Oviedo, Florida, which provides comprehensive financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, and businesses.
Mike is an avid reader and enjoys coding as a hobby. He is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest financial industry trends and technological advancements to better serve his clients. In addition to his work in the financial industry, Mike is actively involved in his community and supports various non-profit organizations, including the Camaraderie Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project, which provide assistance to wounded, critically ill, and injured service members and their families.

Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Juliana, and their three children, and finds relaxation in outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and camping.

What is the difference between a project, program, and a portfolio. What is the difference between projects and operations? What is the difference between predictive and adaptive approaches.

We discuss the above in a casual conversation.

Katty, is an Air Force Veteran who recently transitioned and retired from 22 years of active duty service. She spent her time in the Air Force as a Maintenance Production Manager, then she spent her last 3 months as a SkillBridge Program Manager at Walt Disney. Katty then transitioned to a Data Analyst role that she is currently in and is enjoying it. Katty is almost finished with her bachelor’s degree, is a certified Scrum Master, and completed the Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative’s launch certification course. She works well in a team, as a mentor, and as a leader. She loves spending time with her daughter, in amusement parks, playing sports, being on the beach, going to concerts, and dancing.

One of the books she mentioned: 48 Days to the work you love by Dan Miller

One year mentorship company: American Corporate Partners, ACP

Barry Madetzke is a two-time veteran (Navy and Army) and recently retried in July 2022, after 23 years of service to the nation. He was an Seaman Apprentice in the US Navy and served in the US Army as both an Infantry and Military Intelligence Officer. He recently pivoted into cybersecurity with a focus on Insider Risk and is a Senior Consultant with Mandiant (now a part of Google Cloud).

Hard work, teamwork, respect, and determination guide his actions. One of the most valuable lessons that has come from his experience is that a clear vision and teamwork are the facilitators of success and that growth happens through investing in each other’s thoughts and progress.

He has been married for 20 years and has three boys (and no nice furniture!) He enjoys learning, reading, and working out during his free time.

Max Rodgers is former enlisted Marine who used the GI Bill to go to college to become an professional engineer. He was recruited in college for the Navy's Nuclear Power program and transferred into the Civil Engineer Corps during Officer Candidate School due to color vision deficiency that disqualified him from submarine duty. The majority of assignments in the Navy were Project Management and leadership positions with a focus on contract administration and project team leadership. Max managed numerous multi-million-dollar construction projects, facility maintenance contracts and R&D programs. Upon retirement, he was recruited by his former command to accept a consultant position to support the program that Max had just retired from in order to transition from manned diving systems to un-manned systems. 9/11 convinced him to pause his working career and fulfill a dream of sailing the Eastern Caribbean with his wife of 5 years. Max re-entered the working world via Project Manager positions that eventually led him to Houston and the energy industry where his Project Manager skills were recognized and rewarded. He retired from the energy industry as a Project Director and partner in an engineering firm after managing numerous domestic and international engineering and construction projects. Max is currently excited about the possibility of helping the next generation of Vets2PM’ers while enjoying the success and financial security he was able to achieve in his working career.

Adam Dillon was U.S. Army 1995-2005 Enlisted, Aviation, Special Forces Pipeline, and PSYOP Q-Course Graduate, 18D and 37F, with two combat tours in Iraq as a Tactical PSYOP Team Leader. He also has one tour in Korea along with multiple SOF missions in other locations.

Adam was also a USCG(R) Officer from 2005 to 2009 with Wilmington Marine Safety Unit. He has served in various corporate roles and overseas contracting then recommissioned in 2015 with the South Carolina Guard on the division staff as the Safety Officer. He developed current plans, policies, and procedures for risk management for emergency operations then retired in 2022.

Since then Adam opened OSPREY Safety Solutions after working as a project manager on the BP oil spill in 2010. He currently consults and advises veteran-owned and Fortune 500 companies around the Globe in emergency and health services and Risk solutions.

Caleb Doty was an Armor and Cavalry Officer from 2009-2018, with roles as a Tank Platoon Leader, Infantry XO, Battalion S4, and Troop Commander for an Air Assault Cavalry Troop. After transitioning, he worked in chemical manufacturing and the power generation industry and is now the owner of a company that does lean transformation and training for the American Sewing Industry.

Chris Slaughter joined the USAF as a jet engine mechanic in 1996. He worked all the way from the flight line to the engine back shop before retraining in 2004 to the Flight Engineer career field. Chris spent many years deployed in support of OIF/OEF.  He retired early from active duty in 2014 under TERA II and got a job in the Petrochemical field and eventually becoming the shift supervisor prior to retiring once and for all in May 2022 at the age of 42!

Jarryd served as a Mechanical Engineering Officer in the Australian Army for 11 years, reaching the rank of Captain. He is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College - Duntroon.

Jarryd currently works as an Implementation Project Manager for the eCommerce company BigCommerce. Prior to that, Jarryd worked as a project management consultant and operations manager for Forge Advisory, an Australian-based consulting company.

Jarryd has a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and Master of Business from the University of New South Wales. He is a Project Management Professional.

Jarryd currently lives in Austin, TX with his wife, Jenny, and Australian Shepherd, Matilda.

Phil Ranck, newly minted veteran after 24 years of active Army service as a Warrant Officer. In addition, had the distinct pleasure of becoming a DA LSS MBB. After retirement with an awesome family in the Last Frontier of Alaska, he co-founded a training and consulting company that allows him to use these skills to support the business community and the honor of continuing to train service members. To ensure he is capable of advising on all aspects of LSS credentialing, he has achieved Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) MBB, International Association For Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) BB, and American Society for Quality (ASQ) BB. He deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan with amazing teams, and he and his family are outdoor enthusiasts.

John Glowacki is a uniquely qualified leader, and had the distinction of serving in the Governments of the United States and Canada. He was appointed by the Prime Minister in 2014 for 3 years as COO of Shared Services Canada which is the largest IT operation in Canada. Previously, he was a Corporate Vice President in a fiduciary role as Chief Technology Officer of a US Fortune 200 multinational company supporting many governments and industries, and has led very large-scale turnarounds in the private and public sectors. Results across all these roles were improved customer satisfaction, operational and financial performance, including significant revenue growth and adding shareholder value, and winning then standing up large pieces of business.  

John retired from the U.S. Air Force while at the JSOC in 2000, where he spent 11 years of his 21-year military career. Overall, his assignments included several operational assignments, including Panama in the early 1980s with extensive work throughout Central America, as an instructor, in industrial engineering (where he conceived the Special Tactics Wing concept), and as an acquisitions program manager.  

John holds an MBA from George Mason University and is the current CEO of the Combat Control Foundation.

Liam Amsden is the Founder and President of Shorepoint Contracting LLC. They provide Full Cycle Federal Sales and Distribution for Defense Aircraft Component OEMs. That is the bio part but what he didn’t say is that he is a super-intelligent individual that found a gap and decided to provide a service that delivers goods and services to the government swiftly and efficiently. He interviews veterans to highlight their experience and to solve niche-level problems within the armed forces. This action directly supports the warfighter.

Teresa Moon joined the Parabilis team in late Fall 2020. She brings to the team her extensive experience in business development within government contracting, marketing and branding, relationship building and partnership management. Her impact is best recognized in her abilities to generate business opportunities within several industries through networking, developing partnerships and understanding how to effectively create reciprocal referral relationships. Teresa builds lasting relationships through loyal and trustworthy cooperation and commitment.

She is a consummate academic, and began her career as a teacher both at the university and high school levels. She worked several years in B2B sales for a Fortune 100 company and led her Division in corporate partnership collaborations that resulted in sales. In 2018, she reignited her professional career, and devoted her efforts into business development in government contracting, specifically within the simulation community in her hometown of Orlando, FL. Her understanding of the contract award process is a necessary support to the small to mid-sized contractors Parabilis services. She has earned contracts within contract staffing and cyber security, and is proficient in traditional RFP processes. Ms.Moon has her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Literature from the University of Central Florida, and is the proud mother of 2 girls.

James A. Felts is an accomplished coach, facilitator, and guide with over 15 years of experience helping leaders optimize performance to achieve positive results through mentorship. His purpose is to assist Veterans with marketing themselves and their businesses. James prides himself on helping others, making him the perfect match for mentorship and coaching. As a guide, he has worked with teams, individuals, and leadership on their transformations, both large and small. He believes in the importance of transforming to build the necessary skills to clarify your message, and people will listen. James retired from the Army and is now the COO for Joint Task Force 214 LLC., and a host for Lounge with Legends TV Show.

Marty Martinez is a Brand and Marketing Strategist who partners with CEOs, executives and solopreneurs to grow their personal and professional brands, human-to-human through the power of story. Spending nearly a decade working on marketing for the US Army, in the Pentagon with the Army G8, a multimillion-dollar defense contractor and startups, Marty knows what truly drives conversions, sold-out launches, and how to land big interviews—and it’s not mastering the marketing flavor of the week. It’s how well you connect with the heart-beating people you’re trying to help and communicate your understanding back to them.
Marty has landed coverage in print and broadcast outlets around the world, including The Washington Post, Stars and Stripes Magazine, and CNN. He is also in the Amazon Best Selling Book How to Speak Civilian Fluently and his own articles have been featured in Shift Magazine, Heart of Hollywood (Dec 2021), and his new Business Development book is scheduled for release in 2022. In addition to his extensive strategic planning and marketing experience, Marty is a trained business and marketing coach with his company Joint Task Force 214 LLC., where he serves as the CEO and host of Lounge with Legends TV Show he is also Retired US Army.

Jon Cobb is a Marine Corps combat veteran and entrepreneur. After more than 10 years of military and diplomatic security service, he joined Deloitte Consulting, where he served as a project manager for multi-billion dollar modernization efforts. He then founded The Tempest Group, which now leads organizational transformations for some of the most admired companies around the world.

He holds an MBA from Vanderbilt, an MPA from Harvard, and Graduate Certificates from both Harvard and Stanford. He is also PMP certified.

John Glowacki is a uniquely qualified leader, and had the distinction of serving in the Governments of the United States and Canada. He was appointed by the Prime Minister in 2014 for 3 years as COO of Shared Services Canada which is the largest IT operation in Canada. Previously, he was a Corporate Vice President in a fiduciary role as Chief Technology Officer of a US Fortune 200 multinational company supporting many governments and industries, and has led very large-scale turnarounds in the private and public sectors. Results across all these roles were improved customer satisfaction, operational and financial performance, including significant revenue growth and adding shareholder value, and winning then standing up large pieces of business.

John retired from the U.S. Air Force while at the JSOC in 2000, where he spent 11 years of his 21-year military career. Overall, his assignments included several operational assignments, including Panama in the early 1980s with extensive work throughout Central America, as an instructor, in industrial engineering (where he conceived the Special Tactics Wing concept), and as an acquisitions program manager.

John holds an MBA from George Mason University and is the current CEO of the Combat Control Foundation.

Cathy began her career in Human Resources, helping a small government contractor double in size, and then switched to the Executive Search & Recruitment industry where she has spent the majority of her career. After helping a Veteran with a resume in the spring of 2015, she was introduced to Vets2PM, and began providing professional resume writing services, which turned into a full-time position where she created the Talent Services division, and established and manages Vets2PM’s DoD SkillBridge Program.

Cathy is an Amazon best-selling author, as the Editor with Doc Wright’s book ‘101 Lessons Learned From Helping Military Members and Veterans Achieve Meaningful, Lucrative Post-Service Careers,’ published in 2020.

Alec Hall, CMSGT (Ret), USAF; 28 years in service. Cybersecurity SME and President of Alliance Cyber (an SD-VOSB). Former assistant cybersecurity career field manager Office of the AF/CIO), spokesperson for the "Joining Forces" initiative during the Obama Administration, 2015 SANS Institute "Difference Maker in Cybersecurity", 2021 Orlando Business Journal "Power Player" for disruptive changes to the industry.

David A. Baker is a native of Brevard County and he enlisted into the Army after graduating from high school and retired after twenty years of service in 2005. He is also a graduate of Barry University School of Law with a Juris Doctorate. He opened his firm with a commitment to helping the citizens of the Space Coast and providing quality legal services to his clients.

David spent over 15 years serving the community as a law enforcement officer and retired with Cocoa Police Department. During his Army time he served 10 years with the Florida Army National Guard and retired as a First Sergeant. He also served in Afghanistan for one year where he was the senior NCO of Force Protection for Combined Forces Command at Kabul and Kandahar Airfield.

Today we talk with Delaina Morse, a Veteran and Military Spouse Advocate. She has spent the last 6 years helping Veterans with resumes, reading job announcements, translating their skills, salary negotiations, and coaching on how to successfully manage in the civilian sector. Delaina spends most of the time providing people an ear that doesn't judge and can provide advice using positivity and will always take the call or message. She has narrowed in on the group that gets the least attention and needs the most help, Grunts. They have become her passion to help them find meaningful employment and value in all the other skills they bring to the table.

Today we have a husband and wife combo. To start we have Bruce Thompson, who is an advocate and supporter of all things military, veterans, and military spouses. He is a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant with a proven track record of working with diverse teams to accomplish projects and establish programs. Bruce is currently working with Veterans ASCEND on a special project, and he also worked as the Vice President of Operations for Vets2Industry, Co-Chair of the Northeast Florida Community Veterans Engagement Board, mentor on Veterati with over 900 hours, and a member of the Board for Veterans Village (homeless Veterans tiny home project), and multiple other groups and associations.

His wife, Nila Thompson is a Marine Corps spouse and current Chief of staff for Veterans Ascend and she served as a Family Readiness Officer for two commands in the Marine corps and also served as the VFW Unmet Needs Coordinator, and has been taking care of veterans for over 15 years.

Steve, the Executive Director of the Institute of Certified Professional Managers, joins us and tells his story about how he started as a Marine, became a business owner, and now is an executive. The thought process and pride you should have when you serve is painted all over this episode, I know you will love the conversation.

Jarrod joins us to discuss his passion for helping service members transition by preparing for the transition early and we touch on his book, available on Amazon, called “AVOIDING EACH & EVERY MILITARY VETERAN'S DIS-ADVANTAGE: HOW TO OVERCOME THE LIES A MILITARY FAMILY BELIEVES TO GET OUR FREEDOM BACK.” I actually purchased the book during the show because of his passion to uncover the many false things we believe while in the service.

Ana really helps our community get insight not only into her veteran-friendly company 48Forty (the standard size of a pallet) but also into the eyes of a recruiter. She unpacks the things you should do and not do during an interview as well as a resume. Ana gives us tips and tricks to help veterans succeed in the job search and secure employment. Finally, we get to learn about the industry of pallets from creation to mulch, yup, they mulch them when they are no longer viable. Too cool!

Rebecca with Veterans In Business Networking for Success (“VIB”) has some amazing wisdom to share with any aspiring and veteran business owners. You will get to know her and her passion for assisting veteran-owned businesses to build a network for the greater good of the community. The VIB Network is on a mission to provide education, training, resources, and outreach to help Veterans in business succeed. The VIB Network is a nonprofit 501(c)3.

We were joined by serial founder and entrepreneur David Jones. He drops wisdom on how initiative was a key success train for him and how it is repeatable for everyone else. He went further to say knowledge and being able to prove it was pivotal toward his transition. Finally, he talks about how not to let pride get in the way of your own progress.

This episode was so unique because we host four guests at the same time. The CEO of Search7Cities, Rich Zapata, and his team join us telling stories of transition and success! He even has a DoD SkillBridge resident live and chatting with us about his current transition.

Shawn Dominguez of Dominguez Design-Build really brings it home with the wisdom of a Naval Aviator turned construction company owner. His stance on leading companies and being a leader is a refreshing take you don’t want to miss. From soul searching to community involvement this episode is packed with little morsels of goodness.

Doc and I talk with Jeremy Sinnemaki about the benefits and services available to Florida-based veterans. This episode talks about DoD Skillbridge opportunities and runs the gambit from entrepreneur to farmer. This is packed with information so have your pause button ready. Check out https://www.veteransflorida.org/ when you get a chance.

During this episode, Stu discusses Florida Veteran Owned Business and the secret that there is no secret to success. He also tells a wonderful story about how a smile kept some veterans on track and pressing toward a common goal. Ultimately, it is about grit and desire.

During this episode, Sam unpacks a concept he calls reverse headhunting and shows how he decides which people to interview and when that interview actually starts.

Erik Orient, the Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for UPMC, drops some on-target artillery knowledge nugget rounds for mass effect on us. We talk about cheerleaders and coaches and how they are different. We also hit on resumes and certifications that stand out. You don't want to miss this one, it is one of our longest episodes but we just couldn't hit stop on it because the dialog was so good.

Brig Gen Stratton and CMSgt Pratt join us on the show to discuss the Alaska Air National Guard, the unique opportunities at the 176th, and the general experiences of an Arctic Warrior. There are great items of information, knowledge, and experiences to unpack here but what is really special is to get to know these two high echelon leaders.

This episode is a sneak peak and release of a FREE course you can get in by creating a free account on www.vets2pm.com. In your student portal you will have a course that walks you through PMI's PMP Application process and shows you quickly how to submit it. 

Doc and Jeremy breaking down the project management products and services. They unpack predictive, agile, and hybrid project management while showing that Vets2PM is a low-to-no-risk situation with their money-back guarantee! Give this one a hard listen and find out how to level up your career.

A conversation with Misty Moreno, Vets2PM's aPHR course creator, about why she created this course and why it is a quick certification win. We learn about how to capture your health and welfare experience from military leadership with a civilian HRCI HR certification.

Nathan, an account executive from Altimeter Solutions shares some great advice and drops an interview bombshell tactic to utilize. He flips the script for the interview process but he waits until the end to deploy his tactical weapon.

This episode is all about providing advice to veterans from a manager from Siemens, Leverette Hoover Civilian Job: National Operations Manager for Midwest & Pacific Zones – Siemens Industry Inc., Smart Infrastructure

We are discussing the free Project Management Fundamentals course you can get access to right now by going to www.vets2pm.com/training/. We encourage you to check it out to see if you are interested in the PM career field. 

When you see the words PMP Preferred in job announcements should I still apply? 

Doc Wright unpacks the difference between general and specialized experience and how it relates to military service as well as certifications.

Garrik is back at it and giving us his take on hierarchy and what happens when you sit on the top of a pyramid.

Garrik Dennis is back with a stimulating conversation on how counseling led him to serve veterans and how he survived the military transition with a bit of living and learning peppered in for good measure.

Garrik Dennis, US Army Veteran Infantry Officer, and Vets2PM's Lead Instructor breaks down how projects apply to all military veterans, well almost all.

We are discussing the various ways to fund the certification courses.

The "Extra Tap Class" and how we are bringing back a classic series. 

Here Eric "Doc" Wright dives into the four functions of management.

Provable Fluency is all about that conversation you don't have to have with the next hiring manager. You are basically proving your knowledge through an accepted and reputable industry certification. 

Here Eric "Doc" Wright and Jeremy Burdick talk about Vets2PM's mission statement and unpack how and why they serve the veteran community.