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.

Maria Hughes serves as a Business Consultant for the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at MiraCosta College since July 2019. Her subject matter expertise is finance. She also provides general business counseling for start-ups and existing businesses. She also represents the SoCal VBOC at Veterans outreach events in Southern California.

Prior to joining the SoCal VBOC team, Maria was the Lead Lender Relations Specialist and Veteran Affairs Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) San Diego District Office. She was responsible for marketing SBA’s financial and management assistance programs in San Diego and Imperial Counties. She served as a financial resource for the San Diego District Office and provided training to banks and borrowers as needed. As the Veterans Affairs Officer, she provided financial training support for the SBA’s Boots to Business Program since its inception on 2013. She has assisted small businesses in obtaining financing and referring them to additional Resource Partners. Her other responsibilities included working with the SBA’s Surety Bond Guaranty program, assisting businesses to obtain bonding for their projects. Prior to SBA, Maria worked for the Navy at Naval Oceans Systems Center (formerly SPAWAR) as a contract negotiator. As an SBA team member, she was a frequently-requested speaker and panelist at many government and military functions, UCSD, USD and CIBU, as well as other finance and business events.

Maria also has experience as an ICU RN and a medical reviewer in the insurance industry. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, a Master of Business Administration Degree in Finance and a Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree. She is certified as a legal nurse consultant through UCSD (LNC). She is a proud Vietnam War Army Veteran.

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.

Jason Payne is a Southern California facilitator for the Boots to Business and Reboot programs. He is a Veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring after 25 years of honorable service.

Jason grew up in an entrepreneurial family and comes to the team with over 20 years of expertise in sales, marketing, business research, and training. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is working on his MBA. He is dedicated to assisting fellow Veterans and their families in achieving their entrepreneurial goals.

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.