About the SoCal VBOC

Traci Cole has over 20 years of experience in marketing, product development, entrepreneurship, consulting, and finance. She has worked for large corporations, startups, government agencies, and small boutique firms as well as founding several small businesses in the caregiving and eco-friendly industries.  She thoroughly enjoys working with and inspiring Veteran Small Business entrepreneurs as they work towards their dreams.  Her educational background includes a BS in mathematics from the University of Michigan, an MBA in finance from the University of Detroit, and a Masters in Engineering Management in marketing from Northwestern University.

Cally Ingebritson (she/her) is an experienced Business Consultant with 6 years of experience working with small business owners. Prior to joining the Veteran’s Business Outreach Center, Cally worked at the San Diego & Imperial Women’s Business Center helping new business owners launch their businesses and led workshops and business accelerators.

Cally is bilingual in English and Spanish. She lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Spain before moving to San Diego. Cally is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and comes from a family with a strong military background—her brother, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the military. Outside her role at VBOC, Cally has her own small business as a financial coach.

Wes is a small business consultant specializing in access to capital, helping entrepreneurs secure financing for both start-up and existing businesses. He works closely with clients to review business plans and financials, identify the most appropriate funding options, and prepare them for successful engagement with lenders.

Known for his hands-on and strategic approach, Wes guides clients through the full lending process—from organizing required documentation to anticipating lender questions—ensuring they are well-positioned for approval. He remains actively engaged throughout the process, supporting both the client and lending institution through to a successful funding outcome.

Wes brings a strong background in commercial lending and business ownership, with experience underwriting loans, structuring financing opportunities, and evaluating the feasibility of business ventures. His expertise spans financial analysis, market evaluation, and strategic growth planning.

As an entrepreneur himself, Wes understands the challenges business owners face and brings a practical, results-driven perspective to his advising. His experience in marketing and business development further enhances his ability to help clients position themselves effectively and pursue opportunities for growth.

Wes is committed to helping small businesses access the capital they need to succeed, grow, and build long-term sustainability.

Carrie Welsh is the Administrative Support Assistant for the SoCal VBOC. Previously, she provided support to the Work Skills programs for Community Education & Workforce Development at MiraCosta College, where several programs were geared towards Veterans. Carrie obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in education, from California State University San Marcos. Carrie utilizes her skills and experiences to point our military and their family members in the direction of success.

Growing up as the son of a veteran and small business owner, Darrell learned first-hand the skills and discipline needed to be successful in business. His professional career includes starting and running his own marketing business, as well as having over 25 years as a senior executive at several companies, two of which went from start-up to “liquidity events;” one was acquired by large public companies and one completed an IPO. He was also with a couple that didn’t succeed.

Darrell’s management experience includes business development, sales, marketing, sales management, and sales operations. In addition, he has extensive experience with training of large and small groups, business growth consulting, process and efficiency consulting, client needs assessment, product development, product and project launches, project management, public speaking, and he’s a published author.

John grew up on Air Force bases all over the world, his father being a career officer. John himself served active duty for 4-plus years as an Air Force telecommunications-electronics officer. John then transitioned to the civilian world, initially working in securities sales, and settling in the management consulting industry.

John started his own consulting practice in 2005, providing accounting, marketing and systems services to the Southern California small business community. John’s educational background includes a BS from the US Air Force Academy and an MBA from Pepperdine University. John has taught business classes at the college level.