Puget Sound Companies Gather to Help Hire Jobless Veterans

Business, State Agency and Federal Legislative Programs Cited

SEATTLE – The introduction of a comprehensive Veterans Employment Bill by US Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) on April 20, 2010 is one of the latest in a number of efforts to combat soaring jobless rates among former military members. The proposed bill reinforces the advocacy efforts of Hire America’s Heroes, a Puget Sound Area organization that works with major corporations to open employment opportunities to veterans. Hire America’s Heroes sponsored a Symposium held at McChord Field on Thursday that brought together over 200 attendees to seek solutions to veteran, National Guard and reservist unemployment.

Besides leaders from all military services, the offices of Senator Murray, Congressmen Norm Dicks and Dave Reichert and “First Mike” Gregoire, Director of Washington Department of Veterans Affairs John Lee attended and reviewed the technical skill, work ethic and determination found in this growing pool of talent.

Human Resources vice presidents and senior managers representing Hire America’s Heroes sponsors provided program overviews and best practices to peers from nearly 50 companies in attendance including:

- CEO Tay Yoshitani described the Port of Seattle Veterans Fellowship Program bringing interns with full pay and benefits to selected Port positions for six months of on-the-job-experience leading to full time employment with the Port or Port contractors.

- Doug Kight, Boeing Commercial Aircraft’s Vice President for Human Resources cited outreach programs to former military, an internal mentoring program to help in the “on-boarding” process and the heritage of commitment to former service personnel as demonstrated in the large percentage of Boeing workers with military experience.

- Microsoft, represented by HR Director Sean Kelley, announced the launch of Elevate American Veterans Initiative – a competitive program that provides software, technical training and grants to those helping make service members and families even more competitive in the technology-based job market of today.

- The Volt Military Heroes Program was referenced by Steven Shaw, President & CEO of Volt, a staffing company started by his father in 1950 using the Engineering degree he gained from the original GI Bill. Marjorie James, Program Manager, Volt Military Programs, was one of the founders of Hire America’s Heroes and has been President of the organization since its inception in 2007.

In addition to corporate programs to facilitate the hiring of former military, Tom Riggs from the Washington Army & Air National Guard described their new Employment Enhancement Program which will be evaluated as a national model over the next four years under Murray’s proposed legislation.

The 2010 Hire America’s Heroes Symposium was hosted by the 446th Airlift Wing, a US Air Force Reserve organization intimately familiar with transition issues faced by their citizen airmen. The 2011 Symposium will be held at Fort Lewis, Joint Base Lewis McChord in partnership with the US Army.

Mentors Train to Help Returning Troops

Area Business People to Guide Separating Military Members

SEATTLE – What can combat-trained troops learn from a software engineer? Plenty when it comes to that first civilian job after military serves ends. Over 45 business people from all walks of life joined a workshop today to learn how they can mentor a member of our armed forces nearing the end of their service commitment.

“This is a difficult time for any job seeker, but even more so for those leaving the military after serving our nation,” said Sean Kelley, Vice President of Hire America’s Heroes and a Staffing Director at Microsoft Corporation. “That’s why we wanted to provide training to a group of community members who could share their workplace experiences with some of our returning troops.”

Held at SeaTac and presented as a partnership between Hire America's Heroes and the Port of Seattle's Office of Social Responsibility, the workshop was designed to enhance and increase the mentoring capability in the Puget Sound Area supporting transitioned and transitioning service members.

Eddie Pate, who led the call to action event said, “This was a chance to find out how you can give back to your community and make a real difference as a mentor. I can think of no more deserving group to help out than those risking their lives to keep our country safe. We covered what it takes to be a great mentor, what programs exist to help separating military, some best corporate practices and how to connect mentors with mentees. We also talked about harnessing the power of social media to create a network to help get that civilian job.”

The Port of Seattle, host for today’s event, is one of a growing number of corporations, including Microsoft and Volt, that support Hire America’s Heroes. Formed in 2006, Hire America’s Heroes conducts quarterly events to share best military hiring practices among corporations. They have also formed close relationships within the regional military community.

The next event sponsored by Hire America’s Heroes is a Military Spouse Career Fair to be held on May 20, 2009 at the American Lake Club in North Ft. Lewis. The Career Fair will feature information on “portable” occupations identified for future growth.

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About Pate Consulting & AssociatesEddie Pate has spent eight years driving corporate diversity strategies in the technology and retail industries. His experience has enabled him to build expertise in creating strategies specific to field organizations, headquarter groups, and international subsidiaries. His diversity and inclusion corporate experience has been molded by reporting directly to a senior VP of a line-business group outside of HR and by being a senior leader within HR organizations. See www.eddiepate.com

Wounded Warriors Thank Hire America’s Heroes

Marjorie James, President of Hire America’s Heroes, was recognized at the 2^nd Annual Caregiver Appreciation Awards Dinner hosted by the Warrior Transition Battalion in Ft. Lewis on November 20, 2009. Lieutenant Colonel Dudek, Commander of the Army’s Wounded Warriors in Washington, presented a commemorative plaque and certificate to Hire America’s Heroes for its key role as a supporting organization helping promote corporate hiring of former military members. Ms James of Volt Workplace Solutions, in accepting the award, credited the fine work of sponsor companies in sharing information with troops at the Soldiers & Family Assistance Center and with setting an example for hiring by other employers.

Posted by Tom HInman, CDR/USN/Ret, Member, Military Advisory Board,Hire America’s Heroes.

woundedhonor

Lieutenant Colonel Dudek on left presenting a commemorative plaque and certificate to Marjorie James

Help for Puget Sound Vets Noted in Senate

Senator Patty Murray cited local efforts to employ military veterans in a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing on November 18, 2009. In recognizing Redmond-based Hire America’s Heroes, Murray acknowledged the barriers that must be overcome when service members seek work after their service to our nation. Testimony from Microsoft General Manager Lutz Ziob described the special technology skills many veterans bring to employers.

Complete coverage, including audio links with Senator Murray’s remarks and testimony from Mr Ziob is available.
Besides Lutz Ziob, Senator Murray recognized Hire America’s HeroesPresident Marjorie James of Volt Workforce Solutions, former Board member MG Jimmy Collins, (retired) and corporate founding sponsors including Microsoft, Boeing, Weyerhauser, Starbucks and Comcast for their leadership in building teams able to sidestep barriers and recognize unique skill sets found in many veterans.

Posted by Tom Hinman CDR/USN/Ret, Hire America’s Heroes Military Advisory Board

Hire America's Heroes