Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans (ACMV)
Clara L. Adams-Ender, Brigadier General (Retired), USA
African American
Brigadier General Clara L. Adams-Ender is President and Chief Executive Officer of Caring About People with Enthusiasm (CAPE) Associates, Inc., a management consulting and inspirational speaking firm. She received her baccalaureate degree in nursing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, North Carolina; a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. She has also been awarded twelve honorary doctorate degrees in law, public service, humane letters and science. General Adams-Ender rose from a staff nurse in the Army Nurse Corps to become chief executive officer for 22,000 nurses, a Brigadier General and Director of Personnel for the Army Surgeon General. She was Vice President for Nursing at the prestigious Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and was the first female in the Army to be awarded the Expert Field Medical Badge. She also commanded an army post, a position equivalent to city manager, magistrate and mayor of a city. General Adams-Ender is a past Chair, Board of Directors, Andrews Federal Credit Union, and a former member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS). She was recently selected as Chair, Board of Directors, THE ROCKS, INC., and appointed to the Board of Medicine of the Commonwealth of Virginia. She has received many awards for her community service, including the Roy Wilkins Meritorious Service Award of the NAACP, the Regents Distinguished Graduate Award of the University of Minnesota and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the National Black Nurses Association.
Allie Braswell, USMC
African American
Mr. Allie Braswell, Jr. served 13 years in the United States Marine Corps. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from American Intercontinental University. Prior to his current role as President and CEO of the Central Florida Urban League, Allie held the position of Senior Manager of Global Strategies for Diversity and Inclusion at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Mr. Braswell is the past Chairman of Leadership Orlando Alumni and a member of the Board of Governors for the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce. Most recently, he was appointed as an Army Reserve Ambassador by the Chief of the Army Reserve. Allie also serves on the Board for Quest, Inc., and MyRegion.org. In May 2009, he was honored by the General Daniel “Chappie” James Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. in recognition for his service to the community. In his spare time, Allie enjoys spending time with his wife, Rosemary, and their five children.
Amanda Heidenreiter, Captain (Retired), USA
Asian American
Ms. Amanda Heidenreiter was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the United States Army Chemical Corps, May 2006. She attended all mandatory training prior to arriving at her first duty station. Ms. Heidenreiter deployed with 1 Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She joined the military because she had a great family lineage of Army, Air force, Navy and Marines. Ms. Heidenreiter felt it was her patriotic duty and it has been the only lifestyle she has known; the military life. While deployed in support of OIF, she suffered injuries to her back, neck, knees and head. Ms. Heidenreiter was sent to Landstuhl Army Medical Center where the determination was made that her injuries required further treatment and care and was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. There she was a Wounded Warrior from March 2008 to December 2009. On December 15, 2009, Ms. Heidenreiter retired from the Army as a Captain. While she was a Wounded Warrior, she participated in a program called Paws for Purple Hearts. Ms. Heidenreiter learned how to train Service Dogs that would eventually be placed with fellow Veterans if they met all the requirements for a Service Dog. Presently, she still helps them out, but now more as a networking assistant and attends college. Ms. Heidenreiter is working towards becoming a Physician Assistant. Ms. Heidenreiter resides in Maryland.
Oscar B. Hilman, Brigadier General (Retired), USA
Asian American
Brigadier General Oscar Bautista Hilman was born in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, Republic of Philippines. He graduated from Central Washington University with Bachelor of Science in Law and Justice and he received his Masters of Science Degree in Strategic Science from the United States Army War College. He received his commission through the Officer Candidate School in 1977. He was an enlisted man and attained the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) before commissioning as Second Lieutenant. His military education includes Armor Basic and Advanced Courses, Tank Commander Course, Combined Arms Services Staff Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College, United States Army War College. While assigned as United States for Property and Fiscal Officer for State of Washington (USC Title 10), he attended numerous courses in finance and resource management, procurement and contracting, audit and internal review, facilities and base management, supply and logistics management, and human resource management courses. General Hilman served as Commander of the 81st Brigade Combat Team in support of Iraqi Freedom II (2004-2005) where his brigade received two combat streamers. His brigade secured seven forward operating bases (Scania, Camp Bucca, Tallil and Cedar, Kalsu, Baghdad, Green Zone, LSA Anaconda/Balad Air Base). While at Anaconda, the 81st Brigade set up a Joint Defense Operating Base to protect the air base and major logistic base. Soldiers of Task Force Tacoma conducted combat operations to protect thousands of military and civilians at LSA Anaconda and Joint Balad Air Base. Additionally, the 81st Brigade also assisted the Iraqis at their first national election and transfer of sovereignty. He retired as Deputy Commanding General, I Corps and Fort Lewis. His awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. General Hilman resides in Tacoma, Washington with his wife Patty.
Shoshana N. Johnson, Specialist (Retired), USA
Black Hispanic
Ms. Shoshana Johnson, a second-generation Army Veteran, was born in the Republic of Panama to Panamanian. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso, and later joined the US Army in September 1998. In February 2003, Specialist Johnson received orders to deploy to Iraq as a Food Service Specialist, (92G) with the 507th Maintenance Company, 552 Battalion 11th Brigade. On March 23, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Specialist Johnson was in a convoy that was ambushed in the city of an-Nasiriyah. Specialist Johnson received a bullet wound to her ankle, causing injuries to both legs. She and 5 other members of the 507th Maintenance Company were captured and taken Prisoners of War. House raids conducted by US Marines in the city of Samarra, Iraq, resulted in the successful rescue of seven POWs on the morning of April 13. Specialist Johnson retired from the Army on a Temporary Disability Honorable Discharge on December 12, 2003. US Army officials identified Specialist Johnson as the first female POW of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the first black female POW in US war history. Since her return to the United States, Specialist Johnson has received numerous awards, and recognition for her courage, valor, and service to the United States. She resides in El Paso, Texas.
*James T. McLawhorn, Jr.
African American
Mr. James McLawhorn has developed innovative programs to improve the quality of life for thousands of disadvantaged persons in the Midlands of South Carolina. He also serves as a catalyst to improve race relations and diversity in the community. He spearheaded the establishment of the South Carolina Race Relations Commission. He has provided more than twenty years of leadership in social policy planning and human service development. Mr. McLawhorn was Housing and Transportation Planner and an Assistant Director for Employment and Training for the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. He also taught social planning as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of North Carolina. Mr. McLawhorn is presently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Columbia Urban League in Columbia, South Carolina. He has held this position since 1979. Mr. McLawhorn has been extensively recognized for his social activism. Awards received include: United Black Fund Chairman’s Award, 2005; Wil Lou Gray Award for Youth Leadership, 2003; Trailblazer Award, Alpha Kappa Alpha South Atlantic Region, 2000; National Urban League President of the Decade, 1999; National Urban League Whitney M. Young, Jr. Leadership Award in Race Relations, 1996. Mr. McLawhorn resides in Columbia, South Carolina.
Pedro “Pete” Molina, USA
American Indian
Mr. Pedro “Pete” Molina is the first in the nation Assistant Secretary for Native American Veterans in the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), he was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his tenure as Assistant Secretary Molina has worked on various initiatives including the 2010 Native American Day held at the State Capital to reach out to the Native American population. Other outreach efforts include the collection of reintegration forms from Native American Veterans, establishing a database filled with Native American contacts, creating the Native American Veterans Newsletter called the “Drum Beat,” and Memorandums of Understanding with Native American Health Care systems. Prior to being appointed to Assistant Secretary, Mr. Molina worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he served in many positions. He has served as American Indian Program Manager, Marketing & Community Relations Representative, Minority Veterans Program Coordinator (MVPC), and Hispanic Veterans Program Manager. Mr. Molina served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973. He is a member of the Yaqui Nation from Tucson, Arizona. Mr. Molina resides in Fresno, California.
Wayne Nickens, M.D.
Native American
Dr. Wayne Nickens received a B.S. from Howard University in 1968 and an M.D. from George Washington University in 1972. In his 37 years of practice, Dr. Nickens has directed family practice clinics, served as Clinical Director and Medical Director of various hospitals, wellness centers, and chemical dependency treatment centers. Dr. Nickens is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) as an addiction medicine specialist. He is the author of “Not Guilty, Not Crazy”, Alcoholism is an Inherited Disease (1986) and wrote and developed the continuum of care program for chemical dependency treatment for the State of Nebraska, the Cherokee Nation, and Charter Hospital. From 2007 to 2010 Dr. Nickens has taught Military Chaplains and Chaplain’s Assistants, soldiers, military commanders, Veterans, and families from his new book “Eat Me, the Ultimate Diet” at Tripler Army Hospital, AMR, and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, and Fort Sill in Oklahoma, courses on the physical basis of stress related illness and a holistic model for healing. He was consulting researcher in a DoD research paper titled PTSD AND THE NATIVE SOLDIER published 2009. He is present chairman of the Hawaii chapter of the Blue Star Families. Dr. Nickens was also named Principal Investigator of a Congressional Medical Research Project to test Advanced Technology for measuring brain stress and effectiveness of interventions to promote healing in brain injury. Dr. Nickens is serving on the board of the Veterans Engagement Research Center of Pittsburg, PA and has served the interests of homeless Veterans and their families nationally for 37 years. He is founder and Chief Overseer of the Healing Community, consultant to Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC in Hawaii, the NANAINA Nurses, the Comanche Nation, and the Cherokee elders.
Benjamin C. Palacios, Command Sergeant Major, USA (Retired)
Pacific Islander
Mr. Benjamin Palacios retired from the United State Army in May 2003 after serving for 32 years; Mr. Palacios worked as the Vice President for Green Millennium Industries, Ltd., in Seoul, Korea. In November 2004, Ben joined the Anteon Corporations as a Business Development Manager for the Pacific region which covers the Republic of Korea, Guam, Japan, and Okinawa. In August 2007, Ben relocated back to Guam and opened his own consulting company. He assisted several companies to include COMARK, HNTB, CH2MHILL, and Kellogg Brown and Root and established their businesses on the island. He is an Associate Partner for Doran Capital Partners and opened and managed their office on Guam. He also served as an Advisor for POONGSAN Corporations and HK Industry, Ltd. In December 2009, Mr. Palacios started working for Science Application International Corporation (SAIC) as an Assistant Vice President, Regional Account Manager for Guam and CNMI region. He is a member of numerous professional organizations to include the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), the Noncommissioned Officer Association (NCOA), the AFCEA, and the Pan Pacific American Leaders and Mentors (PPALM).
Lupe G. Saldana, USMC
Hispanic
Mr. Lupe Saldana was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended the University of Corpus Christi on a boxing scholarship. After graduation, he began his public service career as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965 to 1971. He rose to the rank of Captain while serving a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1968. Mr. Saldana resigned his commission as a Regular Marine Corps Officer in 1971, while stationed at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, DC, to become a public servant and an advocate for Veterans’ issues. He joined the American GI Forum in 1972 and was elected National Commander in 1979. As National Commander, he represented the American GI Forum before the Administration, Congress and Federal government. In March 1980, Mr. Saldana was named a member of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee (The Wall) and addressed the first National Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service on March 26, 1980. In October 2005, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James Nicholson, appointed him to serve as a Secretarial Appointee on the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. In December 2010, he was re-elected to the Executive Committee of the Veterans’ Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force). Mr. Saldana has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics and a graduate Certificate in Urban Affairs from American University. In 1984, he completed the Contemporary Executive Development Program for Senior Executives at George Washington University and the Washington Executive Seminar at the USDA Graduate School in June 1986. In May 2006, Mr. Saldana retired after 41 years of Public Service. He resides in Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Celia Renteria Szelwach, DBA, USA
Hispanic
Dr. Celia Renteria Szelwach provides project management and technical leadership of public health projects focused on rural, women, and minority Veterans as program manager for Atlas Research. She has over 21 years of experience as an internal and external consultant guiding large-scale change, business partnerships, client and community relations, and organizational communications in industries such as Fortune 100 defense, Fortune 100 food and beverage, durable manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, professional services, federal government, education, and non-profit. As an officer and senior-rated parachutist in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps at Fort Bragg, NC, she coordinated logistics requirements for the 18th Airborne Corps Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during Desert Storm and managed logistical operations for two humanitarian service deployments in support of Hurricane Andrew disaster relief in Homestead, Florida and Haitian relief in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. From 2006 to 2009, Dr. Szelwach was appointed by the VA Secretary to serve on the 14-member VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. She also completed a three-year term on the Bay Pines VA Medical Center’s Women Veterans Health Committee in St. Petersburg, Fla. Since 2007, she has served as founder and director of WOVEN Women Veterans Network, a global online community committed to helping women Veterans successfully transition from military service. Dr. Szelwach is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and teaches ethics, leadership, and managing change for several universities. She holds a B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MBA in International Trade from the University of Sarasota, and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Management from Argosy University. Her research interests include: Veterans’ and women’s health, ethics, leadership and culture change, emotional intelligence, and cultural competence/disparities in healthcare. She resides in Asheville, North Carolina.
Joseph "Joe" Wynn, USAF
African American
Mr. Joe Wynn, Executive Director of the National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) National Capital Area, serves as their Legislative Liaison on Capitol Hill. NABVETS, a certified Veteran service organization, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1978, has over 35 Chapters and thousands of members in cities around the country. In 2004, he founded the Veterans Enterprise Training & Services Group, Inc. (VETS Group), a non-profit organization that provides entrepreneurial education, federal procurement training, employment assistance and other supportive services primarily for Veterans, people with disabilities and persons of limited means.
Mr. Wynn received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Air Force at the end of the Vietnam War and has been an advocate for Veterans for more than 19 years. Through the VETS Group, Joe is helping to develop an initiative to increase the number of capable and qualified Veteran and service-disabled Veteran owned businesses. Partnerships are being formed with large corporate enterprises to offer Veterans employment opportunities, business education, mentoring, technical assistance, growth capital, and access to international markets. In recent years, while also serving as a Senior Advisor to the Director of Government Relations for the Vietnam Veterans of America, Joe has provided testimony to Congress on matters pertaining to federal procurement and Veterans’ employment; served on the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission; and is on the Executive Committee of the Veterans Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force), which is composed of over 200 organizations and affiliates representing thousands of Veterans throughout the U.S. that monitor the impact of legislation on Veterans procurement programs. Mr. Wynn is the current Chairman of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee for the NAACP-DC Branch; member of the Veterans Health Council and the Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Board for the District of Columbia. In 2005, Joe was appointed by the Honorable Nancy Pelosi to serve as a Commissioner on the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission that completed its work in early 2008.
* Denotes Chairman
** Denotes Vice Chairman
