She is a sought after expert on the status of women veterans. She has traveled to the state capital as well as Washington DC to advocate on behalf of women veterans. Starting out, there was very little emphasis on women veterans. Her ability to deliver with passion and commitment has reached the ears of elected officials, even from other states. As part of her advocacy strategy to bring awareness, she led the collaboration of several community partners and hosted a weeklong celebration recognizing the accomplishments of women veterans on the First Coast. She was able to have the city of Jacksonville proclaim the 3rd week in March of each year, “Women Veterans Recognition Week” now going into its 7th year of celebration. The celebration culminated at a gala recognizing and honoring WWII and Korean War Female Veterans (Trailblazers) who had never been honored for their work and who assumed to be forgotten. She has served on numerous panels locally and nationally to speak concerning women veterans. She provides updates on national initiatives supporting veterans and serves a key resource for women vets in the community.

As CEO of a non-profit, Ms Quaranta has worked without pay for 8 years (1 paid). This contribution in itself, is noteworthy. She serves on the Duval County Veterans Council, currently serving on the VyStar Veteran’s Trust fund committee that determines recipients of grants. She is member of the Community & Veterans Engagement Board as Chair of Women Veterans initiatives. She serves on the Homeless Veterans Standdown committee and started an initiative to provide items for women veterans through the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. She serves on the mayor’s MLK committee. In addition, she is a cancer survivor and raise funds for Making Strides for Breast Cancer.

TRAINING:

Florida Certified Workforce Professional Tier I, II, & III, Dynamic Works Certified Professional Management Services-2009, Florida Workkeys Certification Gold, Crcstcom “Bullet Proof’ Manager – 2008; Associate Certified Career Coach and Certified Workforce Development Coach-2007

EDUCATION:

• University of Phoenix, Jacksonville FL
  MBA, Business Administration/Management, Completed June 2007
• Limestone College; Gaffney, SC
  BS, Business Management/Administration, Completed July 2003
• Community College of the Air Force; Maxwell AFB, AL
  Associate in Applied Science, Information Management, Completed Apr 98

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:

Manager with extensive experience leading multiple functions. Consistent track record of improving efficiency, reducing expenses, and maximizing employee productivity. Strong leader, excellent communicator, progressive change agent, and creative problem solver. Over 20 years of military experience (1978-1998).

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Found and manage a 501c3 organization with a team of 7 employees, in support of women veterans; overseeing all programs and functions.
• Confer with community partners, local, state, and national officials to advocate for women veterans.
• Determine budgetary needs of organization.
• Conduct staff meetings and training to establish continuous process improvement efforts.
• Create process improvement initiatives using project management methodology.
• Originated “Women Veterans Recognition Week” to celebrate the accomplishments and bring awareness to the challenges of women veterans.
• Participate in job fairs, community activities, focus groups, and other partnership forums to build rapport and gather information that will help provide transitional resources to Veterans.
• Collect statistical data and prepare operational reports
• Provided excellent customer service to a diverse community of job seekers; providing supportive referral service, resume preparation, and conflict resolution.
• Assisted veterans in preparing for the workforce and provided follow-up support once placed.
• Assessed skills and experience of job seekers to match with employer needs.
• Created work schedules and task for staff according to organization’s mission and requirements.. Provided one-one case management to veterans in need of supportive services
• Recruited, screened, interviewed and referred volunteers for placement in critical positions within the military organization through assessment of individual talents, skills and background. Assisted in raising over $ 11 milion to fund the Chamber of Commerce “Cornerstone”.
• Made cold calls to community partners to set appointments, prepared mailouts, and maintained spreadsheets.

Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc Jacksonville, FL
President/CEO

CareerSource Jacksonville, FL
Core Supervisor/Local Veteran Employment Representative

Chamber of Commerce (RDG) Jacksonville, FL
Campaign Coordinator (1 year contract)

ADVOCACY

In 2011, Ms Quaranta began forming Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc, in response to a need in the community. She first acquired a grant from the Women’s Giving Alliance. She partnered with University of Florida and the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition to do research in NE Florida to assess the needs of women Veterans. Project “RestorHER” was completed in 2016. The final report resulted in the creation of “HerTOTALWellness” which is a 6-week program designed to empower women veterans on their path to self-sufficiency by addressing their holistic needs. HerTOTALWellness is focused on three primary domains of wellness: Body, Mind, and Economic Empowerment. Now in chort 14, this program has been proven to be impactful, even preventing suicide.

She is a sought after expert on the status of women veterans. She has traveled to the state capital as well as Washington DC to advocate on behalf of women veterans. Starting out, there was very little emphasis on women veterans. Her ability to deliver with passion and commitment has reached the ears of elected officials, even from other states. As part of her advocacy strategy to bring awareness, she led the collaboration of several community partners and hosted a weeklong celebration recognizing the accomplishments of women veterans on the First Coast. She was able to have the city of Jacksonville proclaim the 3rd week in March of each year, “Women Veterans Recognition Week” now going into its 7th year of celebration. The celebration culminated at a gala recognizing and honoring WWII and Korean War Female Veterans (Trailblazers) who had never been honored for their work and who assumed to be forgotten. She has served on numerous panels locally and nationally to speak concerning women veterans. She provides updates on national initiatives supporting veterans and serves a key resource for women vets in the community.
Jan 2012 – Present
May 06-May 2015 Jan 05 – Jan 06

She serves as Vice Chair, Military Women Coalition, (https://www.military vv omenscoalition.org/) a national group of formal and informal organizations who work collaboratively to serve and support US active duty, Guard, Reserve, Veteran, and retired servicewomen by uniting and elevating their voices to influence policy and improve their well-being.

CIVIL ACTIVITIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS:

As CEO of a non-profit, Ms Quaranta has worked without pay for 8 years (1 paid). This contribution in itself, is noteworthy. She serves on the Duval County Veterans Council, currently serving on the VyStar Veteran’s Trust fund committee that determines recipients of grants. She is member of the Community & Veterans Engagement Board as Chair of Women Veterans initiatives. She serves on the Homeless Veterans Standdown committee and started an initiative to provide items for women veterans through the Disabled Veterans National Foundation. She serves on the mayor’s MLK committee. In addition, she is a cancer survivor and raise funds for Making Strides for Breast Cancer.

AWARDS:

2019 – Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce “Military Hall of Fame Inductee”
2019 – The National Association of Veterans and Families “Champion for Veterans Award” 2019 – COGIC Women’s Department “Citizen of Valor Award”
2016 – Jacksonville Business Journal “Veteran of Influence”
2014 – “Workforce Champion Award” for Florida Workforce Region 8
2015 – Wealth Watchers Homes for “Heroes Recognition”
2015 – HandsOn Jacksonville “Champion in Uniform Award”
2011 – Large Center “Veteran Team Incentive Award”
2004 – Commander’s Award for Public Service
1998 – Meritorious Service Medal
1996 – HQ ACC Quality Air Force Assessment Exceptional Team Award
1996 – Humanitarian Service Medal
1996 – Air Force Angel Award for Volunteerism
1995 – NCO Academy Distinguished Graduate
1995 – 552d Air Control Wing Information Manager of the Year
1994 – 552nd Air Control Wing Quality Award recipient

• Air Force Commendation Medal w/lolc 
• Joint Service Commendation Medal 
• Air Force Achievement Medal
• Joint Service Achievement Medal 
• NATO Medal
• Numerous “flag” level letters of appreciation and recognition

WRITTEN NARRATIVE:

I have known Deloris Quaranta for the last 6 years and have served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Northeast Florida Women Veterans for the past two years.

Dee is truly a force to be reckoned with! She will move mountains to help a fellow veteran. She is passionate about her service to others. As the founder of Northeast Florida Women Veterans, she has impacted hundreds of women veterans’ lives. As the CEO of NFWV, she has developed relationships with key personnel in the City of Jacksonville, the State of Florida, at the Federal Level, civilian organizations and their key leaders.

Last year Dee was the honoree at the City of Jacksonville’s Military’ Appreciation Ceremony and the first female and non-commissioned veteran inducted onto the Kevin Delaney Hall of Fame. It was a true honor that the City of Jacksonville recognized Dee’s efforts to better the lives of the population of women veterans in this city of a million people. Their nomination—written and submitted by the Mayor’s Department of Military and Veteran’s affairs read in part (and T can say it no better):

People like Dee are rare in this day and age. Most people see a need in their community and think “someone should do something about that.” Dee saw a need in our local community and dedicated her life to filling it.

Anyone who knows Dee knows about her tireless efforts to advocate for women veterans. Prior to starting the Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc., Dee worked for the State of Florida as a veterans representative. She learned about the challenges women veterans face and at times their reluctance to speak about them. Northeast Florida Women Veterans, Inc. deals with women veterans in a personal way by providing counseling, utility and rent assistance, housing, employment, clothing, bus passes, computer use or anything else women veterans and their children might need. Most importantly, Dee provides women veterans with a friend. She is known for answering phones calls from clients in the middle of the night and housing families in her own home after work. Dee cares in a way that inspires others around her to give back to their community.

Dee provides a voice for the voiceless, and she uses that voice to honor others deserving members in our community. Dee’s work has increased awareness about the needs of women veterans at a local, state, and national level. Dee created the Women Veterans Recognition Week as a way to honor the sacrifice of women veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Known for her tenacity, Dee expanded Women Veterans Recognition Week from a local to state-wide initiative. She embodies service, sacrifice, dedication, and the highest levels of personal and professional integrity.

Dee is one of a kind veteran and human being. She is making a difference in a world where a difference is needed.

I give my strongest personal and professional endorsement for her selection to the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame for 2020.

Patricia E. Wolfe RADM, SC, USN Retiree