Presented by SVA Employment Pathways
Mentorship Sessions
Welcome to the University of Social Florida Virtual Student Veterans Mentorship Session hosted by SVA Employment Pathways! Please register via the link above to attend this event.
This is more than an information session. It’s a direct connection to someone who is committed to helping you succeed.
You’ll meet veterans who have built careers at leading Fortune 500 companies and are willing to share what they’ve learned, how they navigated their own transitions, and what it takes to build a successful career after service.
And the relationship doesn’t end when the session is over. You have the opportunity to reach out directly to a veteran who is invested in your future— to ask questions, seek guidance, find a mentor, and get advice as you build your career.
Their experience can help shape your path. Their guidance can help open doors. Your future is worth the connection.
In this Information Session, we are honored to be joined by the UCF team, as well as the veterans below. Along with the UCF team, you will have the opportunity to hear presentations from Peter, Sean, and Ron, as well as connect with them via the Exhibitors tab on this page.
Speaker 01
Ron DeSilva
U.S. Air Force Veteran
Ernst & Young, LLP
Veterans Recruiting Lead
Ron DeSilva is an Assistant Director within EY’s Talent Function. Ron has been with EY for 16 years, and he has managed the experienced recruiting functions for multiple EY businesses in consulting, assurance, and strategy before taking on the role of EY’s veteran recruiting program leader in 2019.
Ron is a US Air Force veteran who served honorably during Operation Desert Storm as an Air Traffic Controller. Additionally, Ron was on special assignment in Colombia with the U.S. Drug Interdiction Program. After his time with the USAF, Ron spent 4 years in government consulting in Washington, D.C., before moving to Atlanta and transitioning into the HR/ Talent Acquisition field.
Ron holds a Master’s Degree in HR Management from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Wilmington University. Ron has been married for 28 years and has 2 children. In his spare time, Ron enjoys golfing, cooking, and traveling with his family.
Speaker 02
Sean Wilkins
U.S. Army Veteran
Penske Transportation Solutions
Military Recruiting Manager
Sean Wilkins joined Penske in April of 2018 and is serving as the company’s first Military Recruiting Manager. In this role, Sean is spearheading the organization’s efforts to build an industry-leading military recruitment program focused on attracting, hiring, onboarding, training, and retaining top veteran talent across the organization. A few of his achievements include creating Penske’s first Department of Labor registered apprenticeship for drivers, helping to establish the Veteran Business Resource Group and serving as the Texas chapter chair, developing a Department of Defense Skillbridge program for logistics leaders, and leading enterprise efforts for Penske’s recognition as a Military.com top 25 Veteran Employer for 2024.
Before joining Penske, Sean proudly served for eight years as an officer in the United States Army. He held a variety of staff positions, serving primarily as a Human Resources officer at the Battalion and Brigade levels at Fort Carson, CO, and during deployments to Ramadi, Iraq, and Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Sean also served as an instructor at the US Army’s Human Resources School in Fort Jackson, SC, developing junior officers at the Basic Officer Leader’s Course. Following his military service, Sean continued his career in Human Resources, building and leading talent acquisition teams for several companies in the mortgage industry before joining Penske.
Sean earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire in 2005 and currently resides in Fort Worth, TX.
Speaker 03
Peter Mahmood
U.S. Army Veteran
Cox Enterprises
Military Relations Manager, Programs and Partnerships
Peter Mahmood is a retired Army Officer with twenty-four years’ active-duty service. Peter is currently the Military Relations Manager for Programs and Partnerships at Cox Enterprises. Peter is responsible for the oversight of Military partnerships and Military recruiting programs for Cox and the Cox family of brands, including Cox Communications and Cox Automotive. Peter drives recruiting at twenty-six Military base partners and a dozen Veteran Organizations to support the Cox strategy of recruiting transitioning Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses. Peter has developed outreach programs for the Military, Veteran, and Military Spouse communities, and has served as a Cox Brand Advocate. Peter has led Military Relations at Cox since March 2022. Peter is the 2026 Florida Military Friendly® Veteran of the Year.
Before joining Cox Enterprises, Peter led three Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) High School programs in Broward County, Florida, over his ten years following Military service as a Senior Army Instructor. Peter has coached and mentored hundreds of our future Leaders.
Peter’s Military assignments include Platoon Leader and Executive Officer, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. Brigade Air Defense Officer and Plans Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, CO; Recruiting Company Commander, Colorado Springs, CO; and Senior Fires Officer, Brigade Modernization Command, Fort Bliss, TX. Peter served three combat deployments in Iraq.
Peter holds a Certificate in Leadership from Harvard Business School, a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Saint Leo University, a Master’s degree in Health Administration from Webster University, and a Master’s Degree in Leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso.
