Vol. 17 Issue 4 • FALL 2016 The Magazine of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce Lawrence Gaines Frontier Communications Navy Veteran From Deployment To Employment Vol. 17 Issue 4 • FALL 2016 The Magazine of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce 4 COVER From Deployment To Employment FEATURES 8 HELPING OUR HEROES 12 VETERAN ASSISTANCE SECTIONS A publication of the Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce 162 W Lincolnway, Valparaiso, IN 46383 Phone (219) 462-1105, Fax (219) 462-5710 [email protected] 16 NEW MEMBER INVESTORS www.valpochamber.org New Board-approved members GREATER VALPARAISO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Rex Richards, President 18 CHAMBER NETWORK NIGHT Julie Gaskell, Executive Vice President Danielle Oeding, Vice President, Sales & Marketing 22 VETERAN SNAPSHOTS Kurt Gillins, Member Services Director Christine Pazdur, Accounting Director Sue Stymiest, Resource Director 26 AROUND TOWN VALPARAISO MAGAZINE Local Business News PUBLISHER: Rex Richards EDITOR: Kurt Gillins 30 A LOOK BACK SALES: Danielle Oeding Answering the Call DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: AC Incorporated FEATURE WRITING: D. Cohn Communications COVER/FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY: Aran Kessler Photo.Imaging 33 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT PRINTING: Home Mountain Printing MAILING: Flanagin’s Bulk Mail Service To submit “Around Town” entries, call (219) 462-1105 34 OUR CORNER or send to [email protected], Attn: Editor For advertising inquiries: call (219) 462-1105, Attn: Danielle or [email protected] Valparaiso Magazine circulates 18,000 copies per issue by direct mail to all businesses, and, on a rotating basis, to most households in the 46383, 46384, and 46385 zip codes. From Deployment To Employment By Brianna Reeves Lawrence Gaines Frontier Communications A struggle for many veterans is finding employment once returning from active duty. Although the military arms men and women with an array of knowledge and skills that Acan translate into the civilian workforce, veterans often face difficulties finding placement in stimulating work environments. Several local companies, however, see the benefit and importance of hiring employees with a military background. Their belief in truly giving back to those who have bravely served our country is what motivates Frontier Communications (2401 Chicago Street) to recruit, hire, and support veterans. “Frontier puts a high value on those who stepped forward and served our country. We want to do more than say ‘thank you for your service’,” says General Manager Lawrence Gaines. By partnering with other organizations, such as Veteran Jobs Mission, Military Friendly Employers, and Military Spouse Employment Partnership, Frontier is able to recruit veterans across the country. With nearly 2,000 employees in Indiana, 11% are either veterans or spouses of veterans. They also offer a “digital interview platform” especially for applicants with a military background. Frontier Communications Region President – Greg Stephens, explains, “It can be hard to translate military skillsets and job titles to a civilian position, and we want to make it as easy as possible for vets to get into our recruitment and hiring system.” Putting time and resources into hiring veterans is not just a way of saying “thank you,” however. “We want to do more than say Gaines notes, “Supporting our military through the hiring of veterans makes Frontier more ‘thank you for your service’.” successful.” The technical and leadership - Lawrence Gaines skills garnered during their time in the service makes them especially qualified to work for a successful technology company, such as Frontier. Teamwork, accountability, and service before self are From just some of the other attributes that veterans bring Deployment to work with Frontier. Their efforts have earned them several professional accolades, as well, including 2015 To Outstanding Employer for Service to Our Country and Community, 2014 and 2015 Most Valuable Employer by Employment CivilianJobs.com, and 2014 and 2015 Top 100 Military Employer by Victory Media. Edward Jones (2000 Comeford Road, Suite B) has been committed to supporting military personnel since before the inception of the company itself. Local Financial Analyst, Darby Straw, explains, “Edward D. Jones was a World War I Navy vet, so going back to the first person in the >> Charles Vander Stelt Frontier Communications VALPOCHAMBER.ORG 5 company, military is key to our success.” With roughly 1500 “targeted military recruiting program, Kelly Veteran Employment military veterans currently working for Edward Jones around Transition Services (KVETS), recruits veterans in all stages of the country, the dedication to those who have served is still an transition and has a dedicated recruiting team in our Government important value to the company. Solutions area.” The KVETS team utilizes “sourcing best practices, Darby describes the relationship between veteran employees military recruitment expertise, and experience with government and the company as mutually beneficial. “Military candidates are supplies and agencies” to “establish candidate relationships that desirable, because they offer an array of direct and intangible result in immeasurable value to both veteran job seekers and job skills.” From disciplined leadership and integrity to critical employers.” With dedicated team members, ongoing relationships thinking and decision-making skills, former servicemen and with armed services, and the use of technology to reach veterans women come to Edward Jones with the skills necessary to be all over the world, they are able to help the many “service men and successful Financial Analysts, even without prior financial service service women as they step out of active duty and into the civilian experience. In return, Edward Jones offers outstanding training job market.” opportunities and the ability for Analysts to build their business In 2015, Kelly Services hired over 8,000 veterans, and Howard wherever they choose. “As these vets leave the military, they believes these professionals have much to offer to the civilian have a choice of where they want to live, work, and play, and workforce. “Veterans are highly trained individuals who are well when they get to choose where they want to be and who they qualified to support a variety of employment opportunities with want to work with, that leads to a much better opportunity,” competencies that translate to the in-demand skill sets many Darby concludes. organizations are looking for in potential candidates today.” As a world-wide staffing agency, Kelly Services (2146 N. Karwick The Van Gorp Group (10971 Four Seasons Pl, Crown Point) Road Ste. E, Michigan City) attracts and places a wide variety of provides services linked more directly to former service professionals into positions across the globe. Veterans are one members than most organizations. “We do executive protection, population they have worked with to design a specific program armed and unarmed security, and investigations,” describes for recruitment and placement of former service members. President and owner, Anthony Van Gorp. With the often Senior District Sales Manager, Nikki Howard, explains that their volatile and, at times, dangerous nature of the work performed by Van Gorp’s employees, “Going back to the first person in the company, military is key to our success.” - Darby Straw Darby Straw Edward Jones those with prior military experience often make ideal candidates. “We have people who have been trained and performed in military environments who know how to react if it gets violent. They don’t get scared, they don’t get intimidated, and they can diffuse. That training is tremendously important to us.” Having come from a long line of veterans personally, Van Gorp’s respect and gratitude for those who have served in the military has been long ingrained. “I love this country beyond words, so we’ll do anything we can do to help the men and women that make us free.” While Van Gorp is happy to support veterans, he believes it is the company that benefits from their experience and sacrifice. “It’s truly our privilege and honor to have them working for us. They were with the finest teams available, and we get to use that experience, so we’re blessed to have them working with us.” Whether the job is directly related to one’s past military experience or not, employers are well aware of the crucial attributes and skills Nikki Howard gained in the service. Many local companies can Kelly Services agree that veterans are welcome additions to their workforce. Van Gorp Group, Left to Right: Cory Coder (US Coast Guard 1994-2005) Adam Rollins (US Army) Anthony Van Gorp (civilian, owner Van Gorp Group) Gene Stevens (US Navy 1978-1982, Army National Guard 2007-2011) VALPOCHAMBER.ORG 79 Helping Our Heroes By Brianna Reeves “...you can make things better by taking action.” - James Berman James Berman, MA, LMHC, LCAC, NCC 8 VALPARAISO MAGAZINE • FALL 2016 S “Warriors go to war to protect, and the community helps warriors heal.” - Laurie Mullet Laurie Mullet Service members and veterans are often in need of help from the with traumatic brain injuries, adjusting to civilian life, addiction, or community, whether that be therapy for post-traumatic stress post-traumatic stress disorder, Berman stresses the importance of disorder (PTSD), assistance acclimating to civilian life, or simply getting help. “The worst thing you can do is nothing. Just coming in Sknowing they are not alone. Our close-knit community is full of and acknowledging ‘I have a problem’ to someone