After years of military service, finding a fulfilling job might feel overwhelming. Veterans have a unique set of skills and experiences that often make them world-class candidates, especially in a fast-moving industry like technology.

The jump from the forces to the frontlines of tech can be a complex challenge, but you can conquer it with the right tools. Join Ex-Military Careers for a free webinar on how to build a career that works for you.

Discussion points:

• Tailoring military experience to tech roles
• Navigating transition challenges
• How to master the recruitment process
• Refining application materials

Our panel of speakers:

• Kendall Barnett - Business Manager @ Trust in SODA
• Joshua Johnson - Software Engineering Manager - IBM
• Laurie Sayles - President & CEO @ Civility Management Solutions
• Matt Cook - Software Engineering Manager @ Alkami Technology
• Kris Triplett - Senior Manager, IT & Cybersecurity Operations @ CrossFit LLC

Joshua Johnson

Joshua Johnson is not only a seasoned leader in software engineering and platform architecture but also a passionate advocate for helping veterans transition into the tech industry. With a distinguished military background, including serving in the US Army from 2003 to 2010, which encompassed a 15-month tour of duty in Iraq, Joshua brings a unique blend of discipline, leadership, and resilience to his work. Currently serving as Senior Software Engineering Manager at IBM, he leads the Global Cloud UI team, driving transformative advancements in account, billing, and estimator microservices.

Joshua's commitment to mentorship extends beyond the workplace as he actively engages in initiatives aimed at supporting veterans' transition into technology roles. Drawing from his own experiences, Joshua understands the challenges veterans face when entering civilian careers and leverages his platform to advocate for inclusive hiring practices and provide mentorship opportunities. Through his visionary leadership and dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry, Joshua is not only shaping the future of technology but also creating pathways for veterans to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of tech excellence.

Laurie Sayles

Laurie Sayles is an author, change agent, thought leader, serial entrepreneur, and the President & CEO of Civility Management Solutions, a professional consulting firm for government and commercial contracting.

Based in Prince George’s County, MD CivilityMS has provided a variety of professional services, including project, program, financial, and grants management; training and conference logistics; and administrative support to federal, state, and local government agencies and entities in and around the Washington, D.C – Baltimore metropolitan areas. As a certified Small Business Administration 8(a), Women Owned, and verified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with an office in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Laurie has contributed to the creation of jobs, providing of goods and services, and the facilitation of commerce that has been the driving force of Prince George’s County’s economic development.

Laurie was awarded the Washington Business Journal “2020 Veterans in Business” award; the 2019 Maryland Women Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year and Veterans in Business (VIB) Network’s “Above and Beyond” award; and in 2018 CivilityMS was selected as 1 of 100 Minority Businesses in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area. Elected as the first Woman Veteran Officer on the Veteran Entrepreneurship Task Force (VET-Force) Committee, Laurie has been recognized as a “Compassionate Business Leader” due to her advocacy on behalf of veteran business owners. She has served on Small Business Committee Hearings in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives and participated in many pilot programs for veterans and small business owners to provide direct input on the economic development and growth opportunities for women-owned and Veteran-owned businesses.

Laurie received her bachelor’s in social science, with a minor in Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, and a Business Project Management Certification from the University of Maryland University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus). She currently serves as the Chair of the Women Veterans Business Coalition, which fights for policy changes for Veteran Women-Owned Businesses. Laurie is also a member of the 2023–2025 UMGC Alumni Association Advisory Board. She authored “As My Leaders Go … So Do I,” which is an ode to the leaders she surrounded herself with throughout the years that have been examples of service and stewardship in their respective communities. Proceeds from her book support programming for survivors of economic domestic violence. Laurie recently launched a nonprofit “R3” (Recognize, Repair and Repeat), which aims to improve the lives of women, women who have served in the military, and their families by providing them with exposure and access to wealth-building resources for their success.

Matt Cook

As far back as he can remember, Matt grew up with a passion for technology and computers. He started learning PC hardware at around 10 years old and eventually transitioned into a love for software development at age 12. In his freshman year of high school, he created his first video game in classic QBasic.

Unfortunately, Matt was unable to afford college after high school, so he joined the Army as a cannon crewmember. During his time on active duty, he was promoted from Private to Staff Sergeant, where he led his section on shooting artillery. He received several commendations for his multiple deployments to Iraq and his “can do” attitude participating in countless competitions.

Matt was medically retired from the Army in 2015 due to injuries received on deployment and finally continued to college to fulfil his dreams of being a software developer. Matt went on to graduate college from Colorado State University-Pueblo with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Since graduation, he has had countless job titles from developer to architect and even engineering manager. Matt currently manages multiple teams at Alkami Technology during the day and is working on launching his own startup at night.

Kris Triplett

With nearly two decades of experience in the tech industry, spanning roles in software development, engineering, and IT and cybersecurity operations management, Kris has carved a niche for himself as a seasoned technology professional known for his dynamic career and exceptional leadership abilities. His journey began in the trenches of software development, where he quickly made a mark with his keen problem-solving skills and ability to deliver robust solutions that propelled business growth. As he transitioned into engineering management and later into IT and cybersecurity operations, his strategic vision and technical acumen have been pivotal in developing and executing strategies to safeguard critical business infrastructures against looming threats, creating resilient and secure technology ecosystems.

A US Marine Corps veteran, he brings to the table not just a rich tapestry of technical expertise, but also the unparalleled discipline, leadership, and resilience that come from his military service. He is particularly passionate about organizational transformation, having led and participated in initiatives that optimized processes and implemented innovative strategies to drive operational efficiency. As a leader, he draws upon his vast professional experiences and his journey as a veteran to inspire and mentor others, sharing insights into successful team building, cybersecurity strategies, and the ethos of continuous improvement. He is committed to connecting with like-minded professionals and exploring opportunities to drive meaningful impact in the tech industry and beyond.

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