Hiring Our Heroes Sitrep Podcast

This week’s guest is Eric Eversole, a vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and president of Hiring Our Heroes. As the leader of Hiring Our Heroes, Eversole strategically engages the program’s private- and public-sector partners in an effort to connect businesses to the talented men and women transitioning out of the military as well as their spouses. For nearly two decades, Eversole has shown a strong commitment to the military and the men and women who serve. He first entered military service in 1994 as an enlisted security specialist in the Indiana Air National Guard. Eversole later accepted a commission in the U.S. Navy JAG Corps in 1998 and served on active duty until 2001. At that time, he transferred to the Navy Reserve. Eversole recently retired as a captain. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Hiring Our Heroes is changing its events to meet the needs of today’s transitioning service members Industry-based training that will be available in 2020 Which employment trends are impacting Hiring Our Heroes’ programming

Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. Inc. is a new venture that will produce vehicles in Huntsville, Alabama, starting in 2021. The $1.6 billion manufacturing plant is jointly owned by Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation and is expected to create up to 4,000 jobs. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing is currently ramping up its hiring effort for team members, with a target to start the hands-on assessments in January 2020 and have those first applicants on the job as early as March 2020. The Mazda Toyota Manufacturing hiring process is a competitive one. Its recruiting managers estimate between 7% and 10% of applicants will make it all the way through the hiring process and receive a job offer. This week’s guests are Todd Maloney and Tony Walker from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. After a 21-year career in the U.S. Air Force, Maloney joined Kelly OCG as a recruiting manager supporting Toyota North America. After two years at Toyota, Maloney was asked to join the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing partnership to assist in leading recruitment and to drive strategic initiatives in support of Mazda Toyota’s joint venture in Huntsville, Alabama.   Joining Maloney on this Sitrep podcast episode is Tony Walker. After serving 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Walker landed a job as a team member in the quality control department at Toyota. Through the years, Walker has been promoted and now works as the general manager of quality control at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. Walker says he lives by the motto, "God, Family, Toyota." In this episode, you’ll learn: How Mazda Toyota Manufacturing’s three-step hiring process identifies job candidates Mazda Toyota Manufacturing’s veteran hiring goal How the joint venture’s leadership believes veterans will help Mazda Toyota Manufacturing grow to be one of the great manufacturing companies in the United States

This week’s guest is Bryan Rollins, national director for the Warriors to Work program at the Wounded Warrior Project. The Warriors to Work program offers free career counseling to help wounded service members and their families find their next careers during their transitions to civilian life. Since its inception in 2009, Warriors to Work has placed more than 15,000 wounded veterans and family support members in careers, with combined first-year salaries greater than $500 million. In this episode, you’ll learn: -- Challenges warriors face during their transition out of the military -- How Warriors to Work helps employers reduce and eliminate those challenges for veterans at their companies -- Common misconceptions employers have about hiring warriors

In August 2019, Wells Fargo Advisors welcomed 22 fellows. This is the largest group of fellows for a corporation’s first cohort in Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program’s history. Listen in as Diane Gabriel, head of Next Generation Talent at Wells Fargo Advisors, explains the behind-the-scenes preparation that went into making this fellowship experience a successful one for both Wells Fargo and its fellows. In this episode, you’ll learn: -- Details about the fellowship experience at Wells Fargo Advisors -- Why Wells Fargo plans to hire 20,000 veterans -- How Wells Fargo supports veterans and military families

The newly launched Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program is a first of its kind initiative that provides military spouses with professional training, networking and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce. This week’s guests, Crystal Cochran and Laura Schmiegel, discuss the professional development and direct connections to local employers available to military spouses through this program. Cochran is the deputy director of the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Fellowship Program and Schmiegel is the head of Military and Veteran Affairs at Booz Allen Hamilton. In this episode, you’ll learn: -- How this program connects military spouses with meaningful employment -- What a military spouse can expect to learn during a six-week fellowship -- Why employers should consider hosting a military spouse fellow

Quinton Ward is an Army veteran and the 2018 winner of Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award campaign sponsored by the Kenworth, FASTPORT and Hiring Our Heroes.  During his military career, Ward worked as a mechanic, instructor and career counselor before becoming medically retired in 2010. After six years of undergoing medical treatment, Ward began to seek a new career. Utilizing the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Ward graduated with a Commercial Driver’s License and joined Werner Enterprises. Last December, Ward was named the 2018 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award winner and presented with keys to a new, fully-loaded Kenworth T680 truck. Today, Ward works as a regional manager and field recruiter at Werner Enterprises.  In this episode, you’ll learn: -- The purpose of the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award campaign -- Career opportunities for transitioning service members in the trucking industry -- The voting deadline for the 2019 Transition Trucking campaign

Listen in as Sarah Roberts, head of Military and Veterans Programs at LinkedIn, offers her tips for leveraging LinkedIn Premium and explains why service members should wear a smile -- not their military uniforms -- in their LinkedIn profile pictures. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to leverage LinkedIn in your job search The most underutilized tool on LinkedIn Premium Common mistakes transitioning service members make when using LinkedIn

Johnnie Garlington, Senior Manager of Technical Training and T-10 at Toyota Motor North America, and Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce share how the M-TEN program provides career opportunities for transitioning service members, reservists, and veterans as automotive technicians at one of 1,500 Toyota or Lexus dealerships in the United States.  In this episode, you’ll learn: The application process and eligibility requirements for the Military Technician Education Network program How 480 hours of skills-based training at a Toyota designated training facility coupled with a structured 1,520-hour dealer apprenticeship puts veterans on the pathway to a rewarding career Why service members with an aptitude and a passion for automotive technology should consider this opportunity

Our employment partners often look for innovative practices to improve their military talent hiring and retention rates. During their searches, they may find an employer that implemented a program equally beneficial to their company. In this case, the two companies may choose to collaborate through a mutually beneficial partnership.  On this episode of the Hiring Our Heroes Sitrep podcast, Jim Beamesderfer, Vice President of Veterans Initiatives at Prudential Financial, discusses Prudential’s partnership with Salesforce. Listen in as Beamesderfer explains how companies, like Prudential, struggle to find job candidates with Salesforce training and how military spouses and veterans can connect with the Vetforce Alliance to receive free Salesforce training.

For those of us who have lived on a military installation or for those of us who have worked on one, it's quite possible that you picture a military community as the homes and buildings within the gate. Maybe you consider a military community the family you have curated across many moves, deployments, and duty assignments. It turns out, concerned citizens and co-workers with no direct affiliation to the military can become just as much a part of your military family as those you served with or lived next door to. Tim Tarchick, VP at Bank of America Merchant Services wants to share with you how to make that happen. Email him directly (he really wants you to!) at Timothy.Tarchick@bankofamericamerchant.com. 

Spectrum, the nation’s second largest cable operator, is on a mission to hire veterans and military spouses. Up until recently, recruiting and hiring veterans, National Guard members, Reservists, and military spouses has been done through an organic approach at Spectrum. Currently, 10% of its workforce has an affiliation to the military community. Now, Spectrum is developing corporate initiatives to retain their military talent, even if you are a military spouse moving with your active duty service member to a new location. Their company culture is one that allows veterans and military spouses to thrive at Spectrum. Listen in as Brian Armstrong, Manager of Military Programs and Recruitment at Spectrum, offers his advice on networking as a job seeker and discusses an innovative way to connect with his team.

The Fort Bliss Military Spouse Professional Network boasts nearly 1,500 like-minded professional military spouse members. These members share tips, tricks, job openings, or even just an ear to fellow members. The work that is done through these networks would not happen were it not for our fantastic volunteers. Listen in as two volunteers at the Fort Bliss Military Spouse Professional Network share their experience as MSPN members, volunteers, and military spouses.  

Our CFP program managers wear many hats. They inform company executives about the values that military talent will bring to their organizations. They coach transitioning service members during the interview process. Program managers match fellows with corporations and work to ensure that this relationship is a symbiotic one for both parties. They also provide a listening ear when fellows are experiencing doubts about their upcoming separation from the military. On this episode of the Sitrep podcast, we learn how program managers help transitioning service members make the most out of the Corporate Fellowship Program. Listen in as Carla Miller, CFP program manager for El Paso and San Antonio, explains how networking, mentoring, and giving back are the three principles of our Corporate Fellowship Program.  

Hiring Our Heroes, in collaboration with Starbucks, launched the Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses campaign a year ago. This three-year hiring initiative calls for companies and businesses, of all sizes, across America to make a collective commitment to hire 100,000 military spouses. Listen in as Brian Alvarado, Military Spouse Program Senior Manager of Operations & Programs, explains the goals of this ambitious hiring initiative and how companies can join the coalition

You never know when a life-changing opportunity will present itself. Being prepared for the off-chance occasion that opportunity will be knocking on your door is key to a successful transition. Through our many workshops and unique programs like our Corporate Fellowship Program, Hiring Our Heroes has a wealth of resources to ensure you are prepared. Listen in as our Executive Director at Hiring Our Heroes shares his personal transition and what it's been like watching the Corporate Fellowship Program develop into a highly sought-out program.   

Since Career Summits began, less than five years ago, we have held nearly 100 events reaching thousands of service members, military spouses and veterans. Join Hiring Our Heroes Executive Director, Chuck Hodges and Director of Career Summits, Marnie Holder as they discuss the progression and changes of the events over the years and what they are looking forward to in the coming years.  

What do you do when your community has an abundance of people and organizations looking to help military families? You pool the resources! Learn how NextOp is doing just that and ultimately helping dozens of non-profits thrive while touching the lives of countless military families.  

Since 2009, Penske has been committed to hiring veterans and National Guard and Reserve personnel. Join Penske's Sean Wilkins to find out how he took his own transition experience to drive change within Penske's veteran and military recruitment program and why he believes ownership and planning are two key pieces to success for both companies and military job seekers. 

From job listings to workshops and resume training, our community partners at the state and local level provide a great number of day-to-day support services. Often, the services they offer are as unique as the communities they serve. Listen in to hear about the programs and services offered by the Texas Workforce Commission and learn why veterans and military spouses are such an important part of their mission.  

Comcast NBCUniversal has a small, but mighty team conducting veteran and military spouse hiring efforts. Their team of eight are working to hire 21,000 military community members by 2021. As a founding coalition member of the Hiring 100,000 Military Spouses campaign, Comcast has a storied history of supporting military families through their founder and U.S. Navy veteran, Ralph Roberts. It is evident in their passion for the unique programs they provide for service members and their families. Listen in as we talk to Ed Carr, Director of Military & Veteran Affairs at Comcast NBCUniversal, and learn about what over 100 years of military experience on a small team can accomplish.  

Supporting veteran-owned small businesses is an important part of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s mission. Listen in as Economic Development Specialist and Veteran Liaison Bridget Moon sat down at a hiring event with Andrea Hutchins, Senior Manager of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Hiring Our Heroes, to discuss the SBA’s resources for veterans and military spouses who want to start and grow a business.

How do you know when it's the right time to tell your story? We all take unique paths along our personal and professional journeys and some of us travel roads that are harder than others. Listen in as former Marine Sgt. Mark Fackler and his wife Angela share their story. 

What are job recruiters really looking for when they're searching for talent? Hear it straight from Houston Rockets Director of Human Resources Kristen Harper. The Houston Rockets organization is so decisive about their talent -- they often never have an opening! Find out why on this episode of the Sitrep podcast.

Volunteering isn’t just good for those you’re helping. It can be a great tool for increasing your own state of mental wellness. Hear from HOH Volunteer, Maj. (Ret.) and Military Spouse, Frankie Roberts about her own transition and how volunteering has helped her get through the latest transition in her life - the loss of her spouse.  

Hiring Our Heroes Sports Expos are hosted in partnership with the NHL, NBA, and Major League Baseball at arenas across the United States. In this episode of the Sitrep podcast, Gary Soldato, Director of Sports and Entertainment Expos at Hiring Our Heroes, explains how hiring managers can maximize their expo experience and how job seekers can use this opportunity to potentially get a job offer at an expo.

Since January 2018, we have launched Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zones (MSEEZ) from coast to coast. Each community is able to shape their efforts based on the needs of the local military population. Learn more about the MSEEZ program and the unique activities going on in zones throughout the country.  

Medal of Honor Recipient Ryan Pitts takes a sunny ride in the Hiring Our Heroes Toyota wrapped vehicle to share his insight into transition and his views on how the support networks surrounding service members can truly set military families up for success. 

Hiring Our Heroes has held over 1,200 hiring events. Our venues are just one of the special pieces we try to wrap into successful hiring events. The recent Career Summit aboard the USS Midway is just one example.  If you have been wondering what it's like to attend a Career Summit - take a listen. Hear directly from employers and job seekers about their experience.  

Our special series on the USS Midway continues with Hiring Our Heroes and Toyota Personal Brand Ambassador, Mrs. Bonnie Amos, Principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, Kevin Burke, Director of Military Spouse Programs at Hiring Our Heroes, Elizabeth O'Brien and Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Andrea Hutchins. Pull up a seat alongside our guests this week as we discuss transitioning as a family and why retiring doesn't mean the end living.  

In mid-February, Hiring Our Heroes hosted a Career Summit aboard the USS Midway. While there, we had the privilege to sit down with Scott McGaugh, Marketing Director at the USS Midway. McGaugh played an integral role in bringing the floating museum to the San Diego coast in 2004. Listen in as this author, philanthropist, and USS Midway enthusiast describes the process of transitioning an aircraft carrier into the fifth most visited museum in the United States.  

Since 2013, Blackstone, a national private equity firm, has leveraged their portfolio of companies to hire over 50,000 Veterans. Michael McDermott, was integral in helping to implement veteran initiatives for Blackstone; eventually overseeing efforts to become a founding coalition member of the Hiring 100k Military Spouse initiative at Hiring Our Heroes.  Listen in as Michael explains the unique opportunities Blackstone is able to offer military spouses and veterans, alike, and why they have implemented policies to retain talent when possible.   

Senior Director of Military Spouse Programs, Elizabeth O'Brien and Deputy Director of Military Spouse Programs Anna Christen join our Senior Manager of Communications and Marketing, Andrea Hutchins to take a ride for another episode of our Toyota powered "Car-cast." Thanks to the support of our partners there are some exciting things happening with the Hiring Our Heroes Military Spouse Program this year. Listen in as the team hits the road ahead of our Military Spouse Advisory Council meeting in Dallas, TX to discuss all of the opportunities ahead and learn how you can get involved. 

Join Hiring Our Heroes Andrea Hutchins and Marnie Holder as they discuss the updated Summits program. Ever wondered who or when you should attend a Career Summit?  Listen is as they discuss how Summits have transformed to be more inclusive of the entire military family.  

The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program has been growing rapidly since its inception just a few short years ago. With nearly an 80% offer rate being extended to fellows participating in each cohort - the program is enjoying success for both companies and fellows alike. Today's podcast with LaQuinta's Derek Blake and U.S. Air Force Captain Caleb Leestma takes a look into the unique offerings of the Education With Industry Fellowship Program through the U.S. Air Force. Much like our Corporate Fellowship Program, the Education With Industry Fellowship allows active duty service members the opportunity to train with industry while still serving.  Listen in as we discuss the unique benefits of participating in a fellowship and why the U.S. Air Force allows active duty service members to train with industry while still active duty.  

Our Military Spouse (MSEAC) and Veteran Advisory Council's (VEAC) come together 3 times per year to identify best practices for recruiting and retaining veterans and military spouses. Hiring and retaining top talent can truly be a tough nut to crack, but these individuals are formally committed to leading the way. Join Prudential's Jim Beamesderfer, as he discusses the innovative overseas initiatives Prudential has taken-on to tackle military spouse employment issues overseas. Stay tuned as U.S. Army veteran, Frank Stanley and U.S. Marine veteran, Tom Dowd with Cushman & Wakefield go for a deep-dive in to their veteran and corporate fellowship programs at Cushman & Wakefield.  Learn more about the work of our MSEAC and VEAC members here.  

Recorded live during our Veteran and Military Spouse Hiring Council meeting at Capital One, this episode is jam-packed full of leaders in the veteran and military spouse recruiting and retention space. Join us as we sit down with Booz Allen Hamilton's Kathy Breeze and Laura Schmiegel; Toyota Personal Brand Ambassador and President of FASTPORT, Adam Rocke; Indeed's Andrew Dennis. Learn more about Hiring Our Heroes MSEAC and VEAC Advisory Councils.  

Join Toyota Personal Branding Ambassador Dakota Meyer and Director of Military Spouse Programs, Elizabeth O'Brien as they sit down with Jeff Duff and Grant Johnston to discuss the unique opportunities and myriad success stories for the transitioning service members, miitary spouses, and veterans who have joined Airstreams. With a 90% job offer rate - Airstreams has long been involved in the military employment space. Listen in as they discuss how the military employment landscape has changed over the last five years and what they are doing to ensure that change continues. Learn more about the Personal Branding Initiative.

Join Dakota Meyer and co-host Liz O'Brien at Camp Pendleton, Calif. where they sit down with former Toyota VP, Don Esmond. Don shares his experiences as a former marine and a Toyota VP. With over 50 years of professional experience, Don's personal story of transition is a great testament to why we all need a plan. Learn more about the impact companies, like Toyota, are making through our Veteran Advisory Council.  

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Liz O'Brien as they sit down with Tom Downs, Senior Manager, Diversity Talent Acquisition at Capital One to discuss their unique military hiring strategy. Listen in as he shares Capital One's military engagement is strategy and why, he believes, veteran and military hiring has been a key factor at putting Capital One in a position to win the long game. 

Join Toyota Personal Branding Ambassadors (and veterans) Dakota Meyer and Brad Snyder as they discuss the impact of Pearl Harbor on today’s generations. Listen in as Brad talks about what it’s like to be a Paralympian, learn why they both believe happiness is a choice, and hear firsthand their personal stories of transition troubles, triumphs, and more. Learn more about the Personal Branding Initiative.

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Liz O'Brien as they sit down with Derek Blake, Vice President of Marketing and Military Programs for La Quinta Inns & Suites, as he discusses the unique military hiring strategy at La Quinta. Listen in as he shares examples of how La Quinta's military engagement has changed the company from the inside out. Learn more about La Quinta Inns & Suites' military hiring programs.

Join Dakota Meyer and co-host Liz O'Brien as they sit down at Facebook HQ with Anna Christen from HOH and Adrienne Sherk from Team RWB as they share their experiences as military spouses, veterans, and their transition from active service to civilian careers. Learn more about the impact Team RWB and Hiring Our Heroes are making across the country by visiting their websites.

Join Dakota Meyer from Camp Pendleton in California as he talks with Steve Janke, statewide veterans field representative at Wisconsin's Department of Veterans Affairs, about the role state and local governments can play in veteran employment and the larger military community. Learn more about how the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is working on behalf of Wisconsin's veteran community on its website.

Join Dakota Meyer from Starbucks HQ in Seattle as he talks about veteran employment and military community initiatives at Starbucks with fellow Marines Matt Kress, Senior Manager Veterans and Military Affairs, and Tom Tice, Director of Human Resources. Learn more about job opportunities with Starbucks by visiting their career website.

Join Dakota Meyer as he sits down with fellow Marine and Territory Sales Manager with Phillips 66, Andrew Keifer-McNeill. Hear Andrew's military-to-civilian transition story and how he landed a right-fit job with Phillips 66. Visit the Phillips 66 veteran job portal and connect with Phillips 66 Careers via LinkedIn.

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Liz O'Brien as they sit down with Lauren Lobrano, Director of the Paving Access For Veteran's Employment (PAVE) Program at Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). Lauren explains the "high touch" one-on-one approach all job seekers receive from PAVE along with the vast resources PVA and PAVE have available for service members, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. Learn more at PVA and PAVE at PVA.org

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Elizabeth O'Brien as they sit down with Danny Chung, fellow Marine and Chief of Staff for Microsoft Military Affairs, as he shares his transition story and insight into Microsoft's efforts in recruiting and retaining military veterans and spouses. Hear how you can participate in their flagship program, Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) and tap into critical career skills required for today’s growing technology industry. Learn more at Microsoft's Military Affairs website.   

Join Dakota Meyer as he sits down with former First Lady of the Marine Corps, fellow HOH Personal Branding Ambassador, and "mom" Mrs. Bonnie Amos. Learn more about the Amoses' career transition story, how they've collectively failed to actually retire, and their strategies for finding "our people" in retirement.

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Elizabeth O'Brien as they sit down with Daniel Savage, Head of Military & Veterans Programs, with LinkedIn to find out more about their newest LinkedIn Premium membership program for military spouses and to hear his transition story. You can learn more about LinkedIn Premium for Military Spouses at the mySECO website and LinkedIn's Military and Veterans program here.

Join Dakota Meyer and HOH's Elizabeth O'Brien as they sit down with Jack McCarthy, Senior Recruiter-Military with CarMax to discuss how CarMax has evolved its recruitment and retention efforts of military veterans and spouses and embraced a military-ready company culture. Learn more about career opportunities with CarMax on their website.