Our Agenda for the Meeting…
More about our Panelists…
Cindy Rapier, Allfirst Employee Education and Apprenticeship Coordinator / Mid Atlantic Academy of Skilled Trades holds a Bachelor’s in Education and a Master’s in Business from Liberty University. In her role, Cindy oversees strategic initiatives to align and enhance training at Allfirst, ensuring that employees develop the skills and knowledge essential for success on the job site. She also leads efforts to inspire the next generation by raising awareness about career opportunities in the skilled trades, aiming to provide all interested high school students with pathways to learn these valuable skills. With over 20 years of experience in creating educational foundations for high school students, Cindy partners with Allfirst and the Mid Atlantic Academy of Skilled Trades to develop apprenticeship programs and community outreach that promote skilled trades. She will also work to secure funding to open new pathways for students, enhancing their employability and preparing them for a successful transition into the workforce.
Regina McLean, Hiring and Student Affairs Manager, The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding, a Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Regina has reestablished thepre-apprenticeship pathways for high school, private school andhome-schooled students through the Youth Builders program, and she has also created The Apprentice EDGE program. The school is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education and is registered with the VirginiaApprenticeship Council and The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has certified the school to operate in Virginia. There is no place she will not go to connect with learners. She has a master’s degree in human resources and aMBA from Florida Institute of Technology.
Sidnee McGee has worked tirelessly in the field of education for ten years, collaborating with teachers, administrators, and students in public and independent schools in the greater DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Over the years she has gained experience teaching in the classroom and as an AdmissionsDirector. After serving in k-12 schools, she decided to pursue a new challenge, and her passion for creating and innovating led to her current role as the Chief of Education and Intern Development for the Virginia Spaceport Authority (VSA). In her capacity as the Chief of Education and Intern Development, she established the Education Department at VSA and seized the opportunity to revitalize the internship program and expand it to include high school students, improved the student and teacher experience at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), signed Memorandums of Understanding with universities, worked with local library systems to open avenues for homeschooled students to interact with the spaceport and continues to drive MARS to become an educational hub in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Kristen Long, Educational and Clinical Coordinator at Riverside Health, is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 11 years of experience in clinical education and program coordination. As the Educational and Clinical Coordinator at Riverside Health, she plays an integral role in bridging educational initiatives with real-world healthcare practices, ensuring that both staff and patients benefit from high-quality care and training.
Kristen attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she earned a foundational understanding of diverse subjects. Currently, she is furthering her education in Healthcare Law at Regent University, with the goal of combining her extensive experience in healthcare with legal expertise to drive positive change in the industry.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kristen is a dedicated mother of five, skillfully balancing a fulfilling career with her family life. Her passion for both healthcare and law, coupled with her commitment to her family, continues to inspire her work and personal growth.
James Perry, Operator/Owner,Chick-fil-A, Marketplace Dr., Hampton, VA
Get to know James through this video!
Choose Hampton: Mercury Boulevard Chick-fil-A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcl5SaKVc9s