Veterans Club
The Veterans Club at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management supports military veterans pursuing business degrees by providing resources, networking, mentorship and career development opportunities. The club helps veterans transition smoothly into graduate school, connects them with alumni and professional networks and offers tailored support to enhance their academic and professional success.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Veterans Club is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive community for military veterans pursuing business degrees. Our club is dedicated to empowering veteran students by providing resources, networking opportunities and tailored events that bridge the gap between academia and the business world. We strive to connect veterans at the GSM with the wealth of information and resources available to student veterans, facilitating their professional development, internship opportunities and full-time employment prospects. Through our initiatives, we aim to promote camaraderie, foster mentorship relationships and enhance the overall experience of veteran students at the GSM.
Meet Our Board
Dalena Huynh
President
Dalena Huynh is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran with 4.5 years of distinguished service specializing in search and rescue operations and incident management. Her dedication and teamwork were recognized through a letter of commendation and a Meritorious Team Commendation award. She holds a degree in oceanography from the University of Washington, where her passion for the environment began.
Huynh is now focused on building a career in the environmental, sustainability or humanitarian sectors. She is passionate about making a meaningful impact by helping communities thrive and protecting our planet for future generations.
Huynh is an avid traveler who delights in exploring new cultures through local cuisine. She thrives on adventure and stays active through hiking, climbing, tennis and snowboarding. She brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life as she does to her career, always seeking new ways to grow, connect and give back.
Nathaniel Wentland
Vice President
Nathaniel Wentland is a full-time MBA student at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management and a peer advisor at the UC Davis Veterans Success Center. Before business school, he spent more than a decade as a U.S. merchant mariner and continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he’s been a member for more than 11 years.
As vice president of the GSM Veterans Club, Wentland is committed to building a strong, inclusive community that supports fellow veterans as they transition from military service into graduate school and business careers. He focuses on connecting members with mentorship, resources and opportunities that support both academic and professional success.
Originally from Idaho, Wentland enjoys baking cookies with his daughter, exploring Northern California with his family and hanging out with the world-class cows on campus.
Jorge Casablanca
Co Vice-President, OMBA
Jorge Casablanca is a seasoned supply chain manager with more than 20 years of experience leading procurement, contracting, and logistics operations in austere and high-pressure environments, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. As an active-duty U.S. Coast Guard member, he has managed high-performing individuals, led cross-functional teams, and driven operational results while maintaining a focus on compliance and accountability. His background spans federal acquisition, supplier management, and lifecycle asset oversight with an emphasis on efficiency and impact.
He is currently pursuing an MBA at GSM to sharpen his strategic thinking, leadership and data-driven decision-making skills. Upon retirement, which he hopes will be soon, Casablanca plans to transition into a senior supply chain management role in the private sector, ideally where supply chain operations intersect with innovation in consumer goods, manufacturing or high-tech industries.
Outside of work and school, Casablanca can often be found paddleboarding, playing Dungeons & Dragons (Rogues unite!), or diving into a book (he is currently reading Iron Flame with his wife) or podcast (currently binge-listening to Serial).
For those in the OMBA program needing assistance with navigating the “what do I need to do?” or “who do I talk to for this?” questions, Casablanca serves as a point of contact.