2022 Corporate Advisory Board
The VIB Network is excited to introduce our first Corporate Advisory Board. The Board meets quarterly with CEO Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner, Chairman Cole Woodman, and VIB Advocate Corey Vickers to identify opportunities, better understand our corporate partners’ needs, and help veteran owned small businesses win more contracts.
Pradip Khemani
Blue Shield of California
Vice President, Global Business Services and Healthcare Business Operations
Email Pradip
(415) 815-8765
blueshieldca.com
Pradip joined Blue Shield of California in 2009 and in his current role is the Vice President over Global Business Services and Healthcare Business Operations. The 
Edward A. Simon II
California American Water
Director of Business Performance and Supplier Diversity and Inclusion and Diversity Officers
Email Edward
(619) 721-9524
californiaamwater.com
Edward Simon II currently serves as California American Water’s Director of Business Performance and Supplier Diversity and Inclusion and Diversity Officers. Under his leadership, California American Water’s supplier diversity strategies/efforts has consistently met and exceeded the California Public Utilities Commission 21.5% spend goal with diverse suppliers. 
In 2020 Elwyn joined Dexcom as the Sr. Manager of Supplier Risk & Diversity. With over 20 year of experience in Supply Chain, he has had an opportunity to work in complex operations such as Medical Device, Aerospace, Plastics and Consumer Goods. He is currently leading all Supplier Diversity activities as well as Supplier Sustainability and Risk Management in the PCM organization. At Dexcom, our goal is to actively engage with Diverse Suppliers as well as to develop this space and promote long term business relationships.
Dennis Thurston
Southern California Edison
Supplier Diversity Program Manager
Email Dennis
(949) 981-3720
sce.com
Dennis J. Thurston, a 35-year employee of Southern California Edison (SCE), beginning in August of 1987 serving in his current capacity as a Supplier Diversity Program Manager for 21 years assisting small and diverse businesses understand the Company’s general procurement practices and procedures. Prior to SCE, Mr. Thurston worked at Consolidated Edison in New York bringing 12 years of experience with him.
Vaughn Williams III
SoCalGas
Principal Supplier Diversity Advisor
Email Vaughn
(310) 941-8264
socalgas.com
Vaughn M. Williams III currently serves as the Principal Supplier Diversity Advisor for SoCalGas Company. In this capacity he is responsible for ensuring the advancement of small, minority and underrepresented businesses. Previously he served as Category Manager for Southern California Gas Company (A Division of Sempra Energy), his responsibilities included management of all staff augmentation, contracts negotiation and management, fostering long-term client relationships in the areas of engineering, food services and Human Resources. 
An accomplished Sr. Program Manager at T-Mobile with over 25+ years of experience in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, and Supplier Diversity Programs, he has worked across numerous industries, including Telecommunications, IT, Financial Services, Human Resources & Legal. He focuses on highly visible projects and impactful programs to exceed expectations. He is now an integral addition to the T-Mobile Supplier Diversity team, where he uses his skills to help the Un-carrier achieve excellent results through a collaborative work style, critical thinking and leverages his many years of experience in procurement.
Donna Ruff
Union Bank
VP Supplier Diversity & Development Manager
Email Donna
(832) 524-9093
unionbank.com
Donna Ruff joined the Corporate Social Responsibility team, managing Supplier Diversity & Development at MUFG, Union Bank N.A. in 2018. The MUFG Union Bank, N.A. Office of Supplier Diversity and Development is committed to promoting economic vitality in the communities they serve and increasing the number of diverse business enterprises from which they purchase goods and services.
Larry Williams
USAA/Small Business Insurance
Head of Small Business Insurance (SBI) Division
Email Larry
(267) 218-3181
usaa.com
Larry joined USAA in mid-2019 to lead our emerging Small Business Insurance (SBI) Division. From strategy to execution, Larry is accountable for product development & management, underwriting, actuarial & analytics and digital experiences for our new small commercial products and services. In addition to his core responsibilities, Larry is being tasked with developing USAA’s approach to member owned businesses across the franchise to protect the American Dream for those that put their lives on the line to protect it for us.
Corey Vickers
Stinnett
Supply Chain Management Lead
Email Corey
(832) 993-7997
stinnett-associates.com
Corey Vickers is a US Air Force Academy graduate and served as a Logistics Officer for the United States Air Force for over 6 years. He has more than 25 years’ experience in logistics, materials management, procurement, and contracting. Prior to joining Stinnett, Corey held positions of increasing responsibility in Logistics at Chevron Corporation culminating in roles as Global Logistics Category Manager and Global Logistics Operations Discipline Lead. Corey is the lead for the firm’s Supply Chain Management line of service where he applies experience gained from the military, consulting roles, and Fortune 500 supply chain expertise. 
Cole Woodman
VIB Network
Chairman and Co-Founder
Email Cole
(619) 948-8541
vibnetwork.org
Cole Woodman is a US Naval Academy graduate who received his B.S. in Quantitative Economics in 2005. He is the owner of a successful SDVOSB/DVBE general engineering and construction company. As a Disabled Veteran, he believes in giving back to the veteran community and sharing his entrepreneurship and business skills with other Vets is the best way to achieve this. He is the co-founder of the VIB Network and feels that the SDVOSB and DVBE programs offer excellent opportunities for all veterans in business to succeed.
Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner
VIB Network
CEO and Co-Founder
Email Rebecca
(619) 995-1969
vibnetwork.org
Sydney Santiago
VIB Network
Operations & Program Director
Email Sydney
(760) 449-4780
vibnetwork.org