North Carolina Veteran & Military Spouse Talent Roadshow: Wilmington

Date: October 28, 2026

Location: University of North Carolina Wilmington, North Carolina

Guest Speakers

Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette

Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette is the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is a third-generation service member. As Secretary, Jocelyn leads the Department in its mission to support the military and veteran connected communities in North Carolina.

As the daughter of Goldsboro natives, Jocelyn received her nomination to the United States Air Force (USAF) Academy from North Carolina Congresswoman Eva Clayton. After graduating, Jocelyn served for ten years in the USAF. First, as an Admissions Officer at the Air Force Academy. Then, she secured a mission critical assignment as an intelligence officer, during which she briefed pilots in South Carolina and in Germany. Jocelyn cross-trained into the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps after graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law.

Jocelyn served as a prosecutor and general practice attorney in the JAG Corps at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. After ten years of active-duty military service, Jocelyn started her civilian career as an attorney by clerking for the Honorable Barbara A. Jackson of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Following her clerkship, Jocelyn spent six years at the international law firm of McGuireWoods, where she represented Fortune 500 companies in complex commercial litigation and became partner.  

As an active member of her community, Jocelyn currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Southeast Raleigh YMCA. She also is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and the Junior League of Raleigh. She is married to Harold A. Mallette, who is a licensed architect, and she is the proud mother of two hilarious and lively children. 

Dr. Christine Reed Davis

Christine Reed Davis is the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She arrives to UNCW after serving for more than 25 years at UNC Charlotte, where she held a broad spectrum of responsibilities and experience. Dr. Reed Davis was most recently Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students from 2013 to 2023, where she provided administrative leadership, strategic planning and management for program units within the Division of Student Affairs.

Vice Chancellor Reed Davis started her career in student affairs at UNC Charlotte as a Resident Coordinator with Housing and Residence Life. She then served as Assistant Director for Staff and Judicial Programs from 2000 to 2006, and six years as Senior Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct and Outreach. Dr. Reed Davis was also Assistant Dean for Conduct at Boston College from 2012 to 2013 before returning to UNC Charlotte.

Dr. Reed Davis holds a Doctor of Education degree from UNC Charlotte in Educational Leadership, a Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. She also holds a certificate in Crisis Leadership in Higher Education from Harvard University.

Vice Chancellor Reed Davis served on the North Carolina State Board of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. She received the organization’s national Melvene Hardee Dissertation of the Year Award, which recognizes outstanding dissertation research by doctoral degree recipients in the student affairs profession. Dr. Reed Davis is also a board member of the HUE Leadership Alliance, which assists women of color in advancing their careers. She also served as President-Elect of the UNC Charlotte chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Psi and was selected for the 2022-23 class of Leadership North Carolina.

Mike Benson

As Chief Talent Officer of GE Aerospace, Mike Benson is responsible for providing strategy, leadership and expertise for the full scope of talent management, organizational development/effectiveness, culture/engagement, leadership development & learning, talent acquisition and leadership pipeline activities for the business.  Mike and his team have a wealth of expertise focused on talent management, leadership development, organizational performance, and building a diverse pipelines.  Mike has been a leader in Human Resources, Talent Management, and the Military for more than two decades as well as being a published author and invited speaker across industry groups and professional associations.  Prior to GE Aerospace, Mike served as Vice President, Talent & Organization Capabilities at General Mills where he was responsible for delivering a robust, diverse leadership pipeline through best-in-class talent management initiatives while leading the integrated, end-to-end talent management ecosystem. Additionally, Mike has held a variety of senior talent management and consulting roles at Johnson & Johnson and Personnel Decisions International, a global HR consultancy. During his tenure at J&J & PDI, Mike had responsibility for several global and enterprise-wide initiatives delivering impact to leaders and organizations around the world.  Mike started his career as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force where he spent 12 years on active duty serving across several specialties including time as an aircraft maintenance officer (one of his cherished roles was leading the Propulsion Operation at Shaw AFB where the team maintained F110-129s and TF-34s).  Mike has delivered leadership training sessions, performance feedback and talent management consulting to military and corporate audiences around the world.    Mike has a Ph.D. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from the University of Minnesota, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Behavioral Sciences & Leadership from the United States Air Force Academy.  He holds memberships in the American Psychological Association, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and the Academy of Management.  

Chris Cortez

As vice president of Military Affairs at Microsoft, Chris Cortez leads the company’s engagement with veterans and military families as part of its focus on inspiring and developing former service members for roles in the IT industry. Chris’ responsibilities touch STEM education, veteran community engagement, high-tech training and employment of veterans. His team’s mission is to lead and challenge the technology industry to fill the IT pipeline with former service members. Chris is an advocate for Microsoft employees who have served in the military and is executive sponsor of the Military Veterans at Microsoft Employee Resource Group. He has worked at Microsoft since 2006.

Chris served for more than 33 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. When he retired in 2004 as a major general, Chris had been leading the Marine Corps Recruiting Command in Quantico, Va., recruiting more than 75,000 men and women. Before that, he was director of operations for the U.S. Pacific Command — overseeing operations for 300,000 military personnel — and he previously commanded Marines at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental levels, including during Operation Desert Storm. Chris not only advocates for education, he also mentors others. It’s something he did in the Marine Corps and has continued to do at Microsoft.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Marietta College in Ohio and a master’s degree in business management from Azusa Pacific University.

John Maslin

John Maslin is Vulcan Elements’ Chief Executive Officer. Before founding Vulcan Elements, he spent several years as the financial manager for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion program (Naval Reactors), executing a $2B annual budget to finance and procure sensitive materials and components for nuclear reactors on the Navy’s newest aircraft carriers and submarines. A former Navy Supply Officer, John received his MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master of Accounting from the University of Cambridge, and a BS from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Major General Cristina Moore

Major General Cristina Moore has more than 30 years of military service. She served in the Engineer branch and deployed in 2004-2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 30th Engineer Brigade.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Russian with a minor in Mechanical Engineering from The United States Military Academy at West Point. She also has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
She is currently employed by Duke Energy as a General Manger leading the Learning and Development Team Fleet across the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, and Florida.
Her military awards include seven Meritorious Service Medals, the Humanitarian Service Medal for Hurricane Maria Relief efforts in Puerto Rico, as well as numerous other federal and state awards. She is the recipient of the Silver De Fleury from the Engineer Regiment.
MG Moore resides in Concord, NC with her husband MAJ (ret.) Rob Moore and twin daughters Hope and Helena Moore. She has two adult children, Tripp and Katie Moore.

Dr. Chambala Roach

Dr. Chambala Roach is the Program Manager of Military Affairs at HCA Healthcare, where she leads enterprise-wide efforts to connect service members, Veterans, and military spouses with meaningful and rewarding careers. She oversees strategic recruitment initiatives, strengthens Military Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), and partners with internal and external stakeholders to ensure military-connected colleagues have the support, resources, and pathways needed to thrive. She also serves as a Board Member for the Women Veterans Interactive Foundation, where she contributes to advancing support, advocacy, and engagement for women Veterans.
Before stepping into her current role, Dr. Roach served as a Human Resources Business Partner at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She joined HCA Healthcare in 2023 following a distinguished 25-year career in the United States Army, where she served as a Combat Medic, Human Resources Specialist, Career Recruiter, and ultimately Station Commander for the Army Medical Department (AMEDD). She also taught as an Adjunct Professor in the College of William & Mary’s ROTC program.
Dr. Roach holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, an MBA in Human Resources Management, and is a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. She is deeply committed to advancing opportunities for military talent and fostering a workplace culture that honors and empowers those who serve.

Todd Sowinski

Todd Sowinski is Vice President, Enterprise Risk, Resilience and Security at West Pharmaceutical Services, where he leads the company’s Enterprise Risk Management, Insurance Risk Management, Global Business Continuity, Crisis Management, and Security programs. He is responsible for advancing strategies that protect people, operations, assets, and brand reputation across a complex global manufacturing environment.

A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Todd served more than 30 years in leadership roles spanning domestic and international missions focused on security, force protection, and civil support operations. His military and corporate experience have shaped a strong commitment to helping veterans transition successfully into civilian careers and leadership roles.

In addition to his responsibilities at West, Todd leads West’s veteran employee business resource group, VALOR, serves on the Chester County, PA Veteran Advisory Council, and is President of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). Through these roles, he actively supports veteran advocacy, professional development, community engagement, and employment opportunities for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

Todd holds a B.S. in Administration of Justice from Rutgers University, an MBA from Delaware Valley University, and a Chief Risk Officer Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) and Certified Protection Professional (CPP).