Event Registration - Glendale Chamber of Commerce
Return to Home


Lunch With Leaders - June 6th
6/6/2024
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM MST


Location: Glendale Chamber of Commerce in the Pendergast Community Center, 10550 W. Mariposa Street, Multipurpose Room, Phoenix, AZ 85307


There are currently 48 spots remaining out of 50




Event Description
Explore a diverse range of relevant topics led by influential Arizona leaders. Attendees will gain valuable insights each month, discovering the impact of the featured presenter on their area of expertise. Alongside compelling presentations and a delightful lunch, the event concludes with a 50/50 drawing, contributing to the chosen charity of the month.

Pricing:
Member/Member Guest Pricing: $30 (One Time Attendance) if registered by Monday week of event 
Member/Member Guest Pricing: $35 (One Time Attendance) if registered Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday week of event
Future Member Pricing: $60 (One Time Attendance) easily applied to membership if you join within 45 days

Event Details:
Location
- Glendale Chamber of Commerce in the Pendergast Community Center
Check-In & Networking -11:00AM
Program Begins - 11:30AM
Program Ends & Networking - 1:00PM
Charity of Choice - Soldier's Best Friend
Lunch: *Enjoy a delicious slider bar with Cheeseburger or Pulled Pork protein and a mixed green salad!
Event Topic: Hiring Veterans 101
“Educate, Equip and Empower Glendale-area employers to hire currently serving military & Veterans based upon their experience, value and potential; bridging cultural and skills gaps.”

Key Takeaways
  • Learn the skills, qualities, and attributes that military/Veterans bring to the civilian workforce, and what’s in it for employers to evaluate their potential and hire for aptitude
  • Understand key distinctions of military vs. civilian cultures and discover tips for resolving communication style differences.
  • Acquire suggestions for enhanced support employers can offer military/Veteran job candidates and their employees once hired.
  • Gain accommodation ideas that employers can adopt for military/Veteran employees who struggle or have Post Traumatic Stress.

Moderator:

LtCol (Ret) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, U.S.A.F. Veteran
Retired LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz is an award-winning businesswoman with first-hand experience hiring Veterans who coaches employers on how to boost productivity and reduce turnover by hiring and retaining Veterans.  She helps companies become “Veteran-Ready” through the creation of a Veteran Talent Strategy. Her “Veteran Talent Academy” equips employers to find, hire, and leverage Veterans’ skill sets.  Kathy is the Founder & CEO of Vanguard Veteran, LLC, author of “Beyond ‘Thank You For Your Service,’ The Veteran Champion Handbook” for Civilians, and has Masters degrees in Nursing and Political Science. She grew up as a Navy ‘brat,’ served nearly 30 years as an Air Force Officer, and is married to an Army combat Veteran. Kathy also equips volunteer faith community leaders to build Military Ministries to cultivate mutual support, a sense of belonging, and spiritual resiliency for military-connected people.

Military Career Experts:

Yolanda Pinera-Arquette, MSgt, USAFR 
Yolanda Pinero-Arquette is a Resilience Program Manager for the 944th Fighter Wing Reserve unit at Luke AFB for 800 Airmen. I have a combined experience spanning over 30 years in Transportation and Logistics, Administrative, Customer Service, and HR management experience as well as 19 years of military experience (Army & Air Force).  I am team-oriented, conscientious, flexible professional, who can manage multiple responsibilities.  A disciplined approach, coupled with the ability to anticipate potential obstacles, contributing to a record of excellence while maintaining confidentiality. Results oriented, with proven ability to accomplish business objectives, motivated for long-term organizational achievement.  I'm known for my strong decision making, problem solving, and creating resilient inclusive work teams. In my free time, I enjoy exercising, spending time with my family, and my new found skill, painting vibrant flower pots.


Donald Suiter Jr., CW4, U.S. Army, Retired
Donnie Suiter Jr recently retired from the US Army in May, 2023 as a Chief Warrant Officer Four with almost 26 years of active duty service.  He entered the active-duty Army in 1997 as a Private and after making his way up the ranks to a Sergeant First Class, was selected to go to Warrant Officer Candidate School.  His military experience includes service as a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, Shop Foreman, Maintenance Control Sergeant, Battalion Maintenance Technician, and a Capability Developer.  Donnie has three deployments to Iraq and one deployment to Afghanistan totaling four combined years of time spent in combat.  He also deployed to Albania and completed a rotation to Kuwait.  Since retiring in May of 2023, Donnie has been working as a Sales Representative for both Red Hill Mobility Group LLC and Laine Industries.  Donnie has four year old twins named Luke and Olivia and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Management from American Military University in 2019.


Olga Tipton-Tucker Sgt, US Army
Olga Tipton-Tucker served in the Army from 2004-2012 as a Motor Transport Operator, with one deployment to Iraq during OIF-IV. Her military experience includes operating a wide range of military vehicles, transporting goods, coordinating training, and managing troop personnel. After the Army, she received an Associate’s in Applied Science-Paramedicine and served as a medic for a high call volume 911 service. Olga became disabled in 2017 and medically retired. Currently, she works as the Business Development Manager for Packages From Home, a nonprofit that sends comfort and care packages to service members who are deployed.  

Hiring Professional Experts:

APS - Anthony Herrera

Anthony Herrera is a human resources leader with over 20 years of experience, specializing in talent acquisition, talent management, and project management. Anthony joined APS in 2012 and currently serves as the Manager of Talent Acquisition, where he is responsible for the company's overall hiring strategy and talent pipeline programs. As a former United States Marine, Anthony is passionate about serving the military community and has worked to implement a variety of programs at APS aimed at supporting veterans. Anthony received a Bachelor of Science in Business and Human Resource Management from Western Governors University and holds over 20 professional certifications in human resources and project management.


Aqua Therapy Tubs - Derek Rogers
Derek Rogers was born in Saginaw, Michigan and was raised in a small town called Alma until he was 10 years old.  His family decided to move out west and we landed in Arizona.  This has been his home for 37 years and he has fallen in love with all this state has to offer.  Derek earned a business degree at NAU and bought his first company upon graduating.  His grandfather was a WWII Veteran and a proud man.  In his later years, Derek would help him bathe.  He realized the need for safe and accessible bathrooms for seniors so, in 201, Derek started Aqua Therapy Tubs.  Their team has had the honor to serve hundreds of Seniors, disabled Veterans, and children with physical limitations.  They are committed to their mission: To allow every person the ability to age in their homes safely, comfortably and with the dignity they deserve.  They look forward to serving our community for many years to come.  


Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI) - Renee Arellano-Jones
With over 22 years of experience in the post-secondary education sector, Renee Arellano-Jones has held various key roles including Career Development Coach, Director of Career Services, Director of CS and Academics, and Interim Executive Director. Throughout her career journey, she has amassed invaluable expertise across multiple business fields and has contributed significantly to supporting Ancora Education campuses nationwide. Renee earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Management/Operations from AIBT in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2003. Actively involved in her community, she has been a longstanding member of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce, where she serves on the Chamber Education Committee, demonstrating her commitment to the organization's noble causes.


For additional information, please call the Glendale Chamber at 623-937-4754.

All event attendees by registering agree that their image and person may be photographed or videotaped as part of the audience. The Glendale Chamber reserves the right to use any images or video captured during its event for promotional purposes and marketing purposes.