2022 Denim & Pearls Program

KeynoteSpeaker Devon Riley

Devon Riley serves as a Fellow at the West Haven VA hospital. He is an Administrative Officer charged with ensuring high quality hospital services. With a passion for Healthcare Administration, Veteran Affairs, and providing resources to improve the quality of life for all people, Devon’s strengths include organizational skills, public speaking, and problem solving.

Devon has a Bachelor of Science in Health Service Management from the University of Maryland and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of New Haven. He has received other certificates in the Health Administration industry.

Devon is a veteran who served eight years in the Airforce, ranking as a Staff Sergeant in Yigo, Guam. Devon holds memberships in the American College of Healthcare Executives, the Connecticut Public Health Association, and the American Public Health Association. Devon is married with three children and resides in North Haven, CT.

USAirForce: MelindaChapman

Melinda Chapman is an OIF/OEF (Operation Iraqi Freedom/ Operation Enduring Freedom) Veteran. She served in the United States Air Force for eight years. Upon her separation from the Air Force, she received an Air Force commendation medal and an honorable discharge. While serving, she had many administrative assignments dedicated to the Air Force’s mission. Her last assignment before she separated was working directly for the General on the base installation.

After the Air Force, Melinda received her Master’s in Business Administration and started working for the Veteran’s hospital where she currently works. Her passion for helping Veterans inspires her to continue to apply for positions involving Homeless Veterans. She continues to help them as best she can even when it does not apply directly to her job position.

For the past 8 years, Melinda has been feeding and clothing homeless Veterans around the New Haven, CT area. Right before the COVID pandemic, she fed and ate with Veterans on Thanksgiving day and on occasions fed them lunch. On Christmas day, she brings them gifts and food. There are other holidays where she feeds, clothes, talk to them, and see how she can help them.

Melinda has helped Veterans get started with the process of getting their DD214, disability claims, resumes, employment, and housing. She directs Veterans to the right resources to help make their process easier and seamless. Her most recent assignment is when she assisted and spoke at the Veteran’s Organization Battle 2 Battle Event for Veterans. She is a Minister at Universal Faith Outreach Ministries in Bridgeport, CT. Melinda has provided Veterans and their families with useful information. She helped Veterans get connected with housing and acted as the liaison between Veterans, VA hospital, and shelters. She prays with them as needed. She goes FB live every Thursday with a word and prayer and she also goes on Facebook live the last day of every month with prayer and Veterans are apart of her audience.

DarleneHouston

USArmy:

DarleneHoustonservedfouryearsintheU.S.Armywithhonorableserviceto countryandself.Afterleavingthemilitary,shebeganworkingasanemployeefor thefederalgovernmentandhasbeenworkingforover15yearsinadministrative supportroles.

Darlenepresentlyworksasaclaim’sspecialistattheSocialSecurityAdministration inNewHaven,CT.Darlenehasbeenapartofseveralmilitaryveteranand communityorganizationsoverthepastseveral yearsincludingtheYaleVeteransNetwork,NationalVeteransCouncilforLegal Redress,NewHavenFBICitizensAcademy,HumanResourcesAssociationofCentral Connecticut,TakeAVetFishing,andSocietyForHumanResourcesManagement.

Darlene’seducationalbackgroundincludesamaster’sdegreeinLaborRelations fromtheUniversityofNewHavenin2015.Darleneremainsanactivealumanda lifelonglearner.SheiscurrentlyenrolledintheHumanResourcesAssociationof CentralConnecticutProfessionalCertificateProgramatCentralConnecticutState University.Darleneispassionateabouteducation,health,humanrights,science andtechnology,andsocialservices.

USMarineCorps: LouV.Hughes:

LouVanHughesisanativeofFortWorth,Texas.HegraduatedfromI.M.TerrellHigh SchoolofFortWorth,Texas.HeattendedTarrantCountyJr.Collegefor2years.Hethen enlistedintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsin1972.Whileintheserviceheattended severalcollegesincludingtheUniversityofMarylandatCollegePark,TexasA&M University,andNationalUniversityofSanDiego,CAtocompletehisBachelorsin BusinessAdministration,andhisMastersofSciencedegreeinLogistics.

Afterserving20plusfaithfulyearasaMarine,LouretiredfromtheMarinesasa GunnerySergeant.HeLaterworkedasaLogisticsAnalystforBellHelicopterforfive years.HethenwentbacktocollegetopursuehispassionofteachingatTexas A&MUniversity(Commerce).HebecameacertifiedSpecialEducationteacher specializinginworkingwithSeverelyEmotionallyDisturbedstudents.After17yearsin theteachingprofession,hereturnedtotheaerospaceindustry,andwasquickly contacted,andhiredbySikorskyHelicopterdivision,inStratfordCTforthepositionof LogisticsEngineerwhereheworkedfor9years.

Hehassinceobtainedhisrealtorcertificationandiscurrentlyanauthorizedrealtorfor thestateofConnecticut.

Louhasadeeppassionforthegameofgolfwhichledhimtobecomeamemberofthe famedKnickerbockerGolfClubInc.HewaselectedPresidentoftheClubin2012and stillservesaspresidentoftheclubpresently.Healsohasapassionforastyleof dancingcalledSwing Out,andteachesthatattheclubbuildingonThursdayevenings.

HeresideswithhiswifeMyraRichardsonHughesinNewHaven,CT.Louhastwosons Lynnon,whoisanAutisticadult,currentlyresidingwithhim,andKristopherwhoisa residentDallas,TX.