Panelist List – October 17, 2017
Dan Laffin, CPRW, serves as a Veterans' Employment Representative for the Connecticut Department of Labor in the Office for Veterans' Workforce Development. Dan is a Veteran of the United States Army, with a deployment to Afghanistan where he earned and enemy marksmanship badge (purple heart). He transitioned from the military in 2008 and was able to translate his military skills into a job helping fellow Veterans find employment. His role now at Connecticut Department of Labor is to work with employers to educate them about the advantages of hiring veterans and to help them fill open positions with qualified Veterans.
Jill O'Connor served in the Connecticut Army National Guard for 12 years, including a tour in Bosnia in 2001-2002 with SFOR-10. While serving in Bosnia, she was injured in the line of duty and subsequently medically (Honorably) discharged. While in the Army, she served as a cook for the mechanics, medics and infantry; she was also trained in logistics and worked in the JAG office. She used her education benefits to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration and Political Science, with a minor in Legal Studies. Jill returned to work at Aetna after her tour, where she continued to work for 18 years in project management, training and IT. She served an integral role in Aetna's AetVets Employee Resource Group and has held the roles of National Chair and National Community Leader. In 2013 she co-founded the Military and Veteran's Support Coalition (MVSC), a non for profit group of corporations, non-profits, and higher educational institutions that support the personal and professional growth of service members and veterans which has grown to over 100 entities and holds quarterly meetings to discuss best practices, opportunities, laws, and issues as they relate to veterans. In February, Jill joined the Pratt & Whitney Business Operations Management team as a Proficiency and Training Manager, focusing on improving communication and collaboration by refining and expanding upon SharePoint sites and adding training. She will also partner with Human Resources and department Discipline Chiefs to create and execute a comprehensive skills and competencies matrix. This will enable the organization and individual employees to better understand, track, develop, and deploy people and skills, resulting in improved productivity as well as employee empowerment for advancement. Jill has become involved in the Employee Resource Group, UTC-4-Vets at Pratt & Whitney, specifically in the recruiting and retention arena. Jill also volunteers and leads with other organizations such as MyVA Community Veteran Engagement Board (CVEB), Girl Scouts of CT (Troop Leader), Team Red, White & Blue ( Habitat for Humanity, and Braveminds (
Alyssa Kelleher enlisted in the Connecticut Army National Guard (CTARNG) in December 2000. She attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as a 12C, Bridge Crew Member and served with the 250th EN Co. prior to contracting with the University of Connecticut Army ROTC. Alyssa commissioned as an Quartermaster Officer in May of 2004 and entered the regular Army. She served in the regular army until October 2007, when she returned to the CTARNG. Her assignments on active duty include General Supply Officer, Platoon Leader, Forward Logistics Element OIC and Company XO. After a return to the CTARNG, she was the Commander of F Co. 186 Brigade Support Battalion, and the 85th Troop Command S1. Alyssa is currently a Major and is assigned as the Officer Candidate School Commander. She is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom VII and X, served as Platoon Leader/FLE OIC for 16 months in Afghanistan, and a Company Commander for a 12-month mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan. Alyssa’s awards include the Bronze Star Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. Her military education includes Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captain Career Course, and Command and General Staff College - Intermediate Level Education. Alyssa has a BA from UConn and a MS in Human Resources Management from the UConn School of Business. Alyssa is employed as the Director for Veteran’s Affairs and Military Programs at the University of Connecticut. Prior to this role, she was employed full time in the CT National Guard Human Resources office for 9 years.
Jim McMahon is the Director of Military and Veteran Talent Acquisition and Outreach at Travelers Insurance. Jim’s professional experience is made up of more than 25 years in recruitment and Human Resources. He is currently responsible for Travelers Military and Veteran Programs including relationships with Academy Women’s Officer Leadership Symposium, Air Force Wounded Warriors Program, Military Officer Job Opportunities, Team Rubicon and American Corporate Partners for mentoring transitioning military, He has been instrumental in the company’s achievement of recognition on G.I. Jobs Magazine’s Top Military Friendly Employers list annually since 2007.
Lisa Jones is an Air Force veteran who has been employed with the U.S. Department of Labor/Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) office in Wethersfield, CT for over 19 years. Her responsibilities include investigating Uniformed Service Employment and Reemployment Rights ACT (USERRA) claims. Lisa provides over-site, analysis, and guidance to VETS Homeless Grantees and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program at the CT Department of Labor. JVSG staff provide intensive services, as well as, employment opportunities to veterans. She is also responsible for monitoring the employment portion of the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP), at the Naval Base in Groton, to soldiers, sailors, marines, coast guard, and airman who are retiring or exiting from the military. Lisa coordinates activates between the Veterans Administration’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program (VR&E) and the JVSG program staff, coordinating delivery of services to graduating veterans requiring employment opportunities.
And our moderator will be Christina Semenza, Talent Acquisition Manager at Enterprise Holdings and Co-Chair of their local diversity initiatives to hire and retain diverse talent including protected Veterans. Chrissy is also an active member of the Military and Veteran’s Support Coalition and is President Elect for the Staffing Management Association (SMA).