U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Clarence A. Johnson, DoD; Robert Bard, LATINA Style, Inc; LCDR Margaret V. Cole,
Commander, Submarine Group 7, U.S. Navy; Capt. Keith Gibel; Major General Linda
R. Urrutia-Varhall, USAF, (Ret) and Lupita Colmenero.
The second panel of the day titled “Powerful
Leadership Lessons…Leading by Example,” was
led by successful Latinas in the military. Each shared
their lessons learned, insights gained through
their experiences and challenges encountered.
Moderated by Maj. Gen. Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall,
Director of Operations at the National
Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, U.S. Air Force (Ret);
speakers included CW4 Sherry M. Coffey, Senior
Maintenance Technician, U.S. Army; Gunnery
Sergeant, Marisol Horta, Administrative Chief, U.S.
Marine Corps; LCDR Margaret V. Cole, Commander,
Submarine Group 7, U.S. Navy; CDR Blanca Rosas,
Response Department Head, U.S. Coast Guard.
The third panel of the day “Successful
Transition from Active Military to Civilian and
Corporate Careers,” focused on the integration of
returning military into the civilian workplace.
Moderated by Lauren Bacon, Senior Manager,
Military Program, Hilton, speakers included Odalys
Fajardo-Guerrero, Walmart’s VP of Global Investigations,
Latin America, Jeannette Holland, General
Supervisor, Operations, GM CCA Davison Rd
Processing Center, General Motors; Jennifer M. Peña,
M.D., FACP, Administrator, Virtual Primary Care
Providers, Oscar Health, New York, NY, Internal
Medicine Physician, INOVA VIP 360; Mel Burns,
Diversity Recruitment Strategist, Talent Acquisition,
American Airlines in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, and
Mark Venzor, LCDR, USN, (Ret), Management
Associate, Financial Services Leadership Rotation
Program (FSLRP), Nationwide.
After a full day of workshops, LATINA Style
honored the accomplishments of women serving in
the Armed Forces during the Distinguished Military
Awards Luncheon - a one of a kind gathering and an
Clarence A. Johnson, Director of
Diversity Management and Equal
Opportunity, DoD.
integral part of Hispanic Heritage month activities in
the Nation’s capital.
Luncheon participants included Mistress
of Ceremonies Senior Master Sergeant Sonora
L. Vasquez, U.S. Air Force; the Invocation and
Benediction by Senior Master Sergeant Latisha
Tippins, U.S. Air Force; Salute to Fallen Heroes was
presided by Senior Master Sergeant Cristina
Gutierrez, U.S. Air Force.
Welcoming remarks were provided by Clarence
A. Johnson, Director of Diversity Management and
Equal Opportunity, DoD. The Distinguished Meritorious
Service Award ceremony followed. Thirteen awardees
were honored for their service to the country,
leadership, accomplishments, and commitment to
building a strong community. Congratulations to the
2019 award recipients: U.S. Army: Chief Warrant
Officer Five Sherry M. Coffey and Ms. Elsa Gudiel;
U.S. Navy: Lieutenant Melissa Ann Rodriguez;
Lieutenant Commander Margaret V. Cole; Ms. Sara
Salas; U.S. Marine Corps: Gunnery Sergeant Marisol
Horta; U.S. Air Force: Master Sergeant Brenda
Rodriguez; Captain Amparo Elizabeth Romero-Ortiz
and Mrs. Martha P. Flores; U.S. Coast Guard:
Commander Blanca Rosas and Mrs. Xiomara Torres
(Civilian); U.S. Coast Guard Academy: First Class
Cadet Christina M. Gonzales; Army National Guard:
1LT Mairim M. Cosme.
After such distinguished ceremony, Robert Bard
welcomed Major General Linda R. Urrutia-Varhall (Ret)
to the stage to receive the Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Mr. Stephen R. Herrera, Deputy for Budget, USAF
and Admiral Charles W. Ray, Vice Commandant,
USCG were honored with the President’s Award. LS
26 www. lat inastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol . 25, No. 6, 2019
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