Instructors and Staff

Karen Hardy is Assistant Director of Career Services. In her role, she develops relationships with industry employers and helps ATDM graduates secure jobs in the defense manufacturing sector. Karen has a broad range of experience ranging from the medical field to the manufacturing sector, serving in administration and management. She graduated from the University of Richmond with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts.

Joyce Culley is the Assistant Director for Recruitment and Admissions. Before joining ATDM, she was the Director of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at Danville Public School and the Associate Director of Admissions for Averett University. With over 30 years of experience in higher education and public K-12 education, Joyce has a passion for student learning and success. She has a Master’s of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Averett University.

Kevin Gatewood is the Assistant Director of Student Support Services. Before joining ATDM, he was the Student Activities Coordinator at Danville Community College for four years. Gatewood has a Bachelor of Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and a Master of Business Administration from Longwood University

Justin Scarce serves as the Manager of Industry Engagement. In this role, Scarce supports the ATDM initiative by collaborating with industry partners to further the mission of workforce development in the defense industrial base. Prior to joining IALR, Scarce gained industry experience at Abbott Laboratories, a leading global manufacturer of liquid nutrition products. Scarce also has DIB experience from BWX Technologies, a manufacturer of naval nuclear components. Scarce earned his Bachelor of Science from Liberty University.

Malik Shafaq serves as the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) Recruiter. Shafaq has worked in various positions with different international organizations, such as Relief International. He has a bachelor’s degree in literature and plans to pursue his master’s degree in international relations.

Stephen Gonzalez serves as the Veteran Recruitment Specialist for ATDM or Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing. In this role, he supports the ATDM initiative by prospectively recruiting the most qualified applicants within the Military affiliated communities. Prior to joining IALR, Stephen served eleven years (2011-2022) in the United States Marine Corps. While there he served in various Leadership roles ranging from Transmissions Chief to Senior Talent Acquisition Manager. Stephen Is a family man who on his free time enjoys road trips and outdoor adventures with his loved ones.

Brian was born in Hampton, Virginia, and raised in Halifax County, Virginia, in a small town called Alton. After graduating from high school, he decided to attend the local community college in Roxboro, North Carolina, where he earned a welding certification in 1988. In 1990, he accepted a welding position at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Brian accepted a position as an apprentice through their Apprentice School as a welder and graduated in 2006 as a welding journeyman. He welded on aircraft carriers and submarines in new construction as well as repair and overhaul welding. After 20 years there, he was given the role of welding supervisor at Newport News Industrial, a subsidiary of Newport News Shipbuilding, where he worked for seven years as a welding foreman. After being in the Hampton Roads area for 30 years, he longed to return to his hometown and take what he learned and teach it to the next generation of welders. Brian has always loved working with his hands and developing his craft as a welder. He feels the best way to give back to all those who helped him in his education and career path was to show the defense manufacturing community that their efforts were not in vain and that the ATDM welding program will produce the best entry-level welders possible. He spends his free time with friends and family and enjoying the outdoors – admiring the smells and sounds of nature, fishing, and hunting.

Sherri Dickens is the Senior Support Specialist for Student Support in the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. She joined IALR in 2020 with the Great Opportunities in Technology and Engineering Careers (GO TEC™) program as the Multimedia Technician, hosted and supported by IALR. Previously, she served as an AmeriCorps member with IALR’s IT department. Dickens has over 20 years of experience in business, finance, and the medical field, including her time as the former owner of Infinity Eyecare of Danville. She received her IT Systems Management certificate and two Associate Degrees from Danville Community College, Associate in Business Management, Business Specialization, and Associate in Business Management, Project Management. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Bellevue University in 2025. She has also received a certificate from Southern Virginia Higher Education Center/IT Academy for CompTIA A+ and Server +. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and take trips to the beach.

Misty Roveta is the Senior Support Specialist for Recruitment in the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program. This role will be critical in the transition of students to the ATDM program. Roveta will work with adult learners as they begin a new journey in a fast-paced, highly motivated learning environment. Prior to joining IALR, she worked for Danville Public Schools, providing support to the Career, Technical, and Adult Education Department. Roveta has associate degrees in Liberal Arts Social Science and Humanities Specializations from Danville Community College.