Top Honor for Small Business or Organization That Demonstrates Leadership in Hiring Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced today that FASTPORT was awarded the 4th Annual Hiring Our Heroes Capital One Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award. This award recognizes the proven dedication of FASTPORT in addressing the challenges faced by veterans and military spouses in their search for meaningful employment.

“FASTPORT has shown tremendous dedication to recruiting, retaining, and advancing talented veterans and military spouses into the trucking industry,” Eric Eversole, executive director of Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “Beyond that, this company has also demonstrated a willingness to work with others and proactively share best practices. The Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment recognizes FASTPORT for its past, present, and future efforts to serve those who have served.”

FASTPORT embraces the U.S. Army’s initiative to form public-private partnerships far beyond the capabilities of traditional employers. Rather than representing one company, FASTPORT represents the trucking industry, and works to demystify that industry for 50,000 soldiers searching for their next opportunity. In just three months, the company’s Trucking Track Mentoring Program had facilitated 1,500 mentor connections and more than 500 job applications submitted to member companies. 

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Chamber because it reflects the success we are having educating and motivating our veterans and transitioning service men and women to seek their next careers with great employers in the trucking industry,” said Bill McLennan, CEO of FASTPORT.  “Our veterans are hard wired for successful careers in trucking and we are honored to provide the Trucking Track technology to on board our veterans with trucking industry employers.”

Awards were presented in the following categories at the 4th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Dinner:

Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award—Capital One received this award for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. Other finalists were Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), Ryder, and Union Pacific Railroad.

Steve Robinson Post-9/11 Veteran Employment Award—USAA received this award for effective and sustained efforts to enhance the ability of post-9/11 veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment in the private sector. Other finalists were The Home Depot, Lockheed Martin, and Verizon Communications. This award is newly named after Steve Robinson, a 20-year Army Special Forces veteran and veterans’ advocate who passed away unexpectedly in June 2014.

Don Weber Recovering Warrior and Military Caregiver Employment Award—Anthony Odierno, vice president of JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, received this award for demonstrated leadership in addressing the unique challenges and demands for wounded warriors, spouses, and caregivers in their search for meaningful employment. Other finalists were Deloitte, Southwest Airlines, and Volt Workforce Solutions.

Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award—Toyota Motor Sales, U.

S.A. received this award for demonstrated hiring and support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment in the private sector. Other finalists were the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and USAA.

Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment—FASTPORT received this award for demonstrated leadership by a small business or organization (less than 500 employees) in hiring veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. Other finalists were Afterburner, Inc. and Lock-n-Load Java.

Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment—

Frank Bisignano, chairman and CEO of First Data Corporation, received this award for an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses. Other finalists were Derek Blake, vice president of Marketing and Military Programs at La Quinta Inns & Suites; Chris Phillips, military recruiter, PNC Bank; and CSM(R) Robert Van Pelt, program coordinator of Family Programs for the New York National Guard.

The 22 finalists were chosen from a competitive field of nominees. The winners were selected by the Hiring Our Heroes Awards Committee. Judging was based on criteria such as innovative recruiting and retention strategies, military community engagement and leadership, as well as an ongoing commitment to hire veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.

Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the goal is to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day. To date, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 800 hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, helping 25,000 veterans and military spouses find jobs.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.