Gov. Heineman Promotes Hiring Our Heroes Initiative Helping Military Members Find Employment

(Lincoln, Neb.) Today, Gov. Dave Heineman announced the upcoming Hiring Our Heroes job fairs February 19 in Omaha and April 1 in Lincoln. The Hiring Our Heroes initiative is the cooperative effort between the United States Chamber of Commerce, the Nebraska Department of Labor and the Nebraska National Guard that helps veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment in Nebraska. “We are proud to be a part of this initiative to help veterans and military spouses find good jobs here in Nebraska,” said Gov. Heineman. “There are approximately 4,600 Army and Air National Guardsmen and women in Nebraska and thousands more Nebraskans serve in the U.S. Reserves and active military. The enthusiasm surrounding and the support of Hiring Our Heroes shows that the courage and sacrifice demonstrated by these brave men and women is appreciated.” Current and former military members bring sought-after skills to the workforce. Nebraska’s veterans and their spouses are invited to the upcoming Hiring Our Heroes job fairs in Omaha and Lincoln. The Omaha event will be held on Wed., Feb. 19 at the DC Centre, 11830 Stonegate Dr., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Military groups, media partners and other sponsors are working together to ensure the success of these events. There are 65 employers registered for the fair, representing a wide array of job opportunities. The Lincoln event will be held Tuesday, April 1 at the Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The U.S. Chamber will host employment workshops at 9 a.m. the morning of the hiring events. “Lincoln and Omaha employers and organizations continue to support these events,” said Cathy Lang, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Labor. “Their commitment makes these events successful.” Werner Enterprises, a transportation company based in Omaha, is among the employers who have attended multiple hiring events. “Werner seeks to hire those who have served in the military because they are goal-oriented, motivated and mission-minded individuals with proven records of excellence and dedication – qualities we want in any candidate,” said Chris Polenz, associate vice president, Human Resources, at Werner. United States Air Force veteran Jafi Roskey of Omaha was hired by Werner through the 2013 Papillion event. She has recently been promoted to a corporate fleet manager position and says, “I enjoy working at Werner because they helped me comfortably adjust back to civilian life.” Lincoln-based Duncan Aviation has attended several Hiring Our Heroes job fairs. “Our veterans work in a variety of positions throughout the organization,” said David Ossian, elected recruiter for Duncan. “We have representation in several areas including airframe, engineering, inspection, avionics, project management, sales and quality assurance.” “Our Nebraska National Guard members and military veterans often bring an incredible array of experience and training that make them an ideal candidate for employers,” said Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac, Adjutant General of the Nebraska National Guard. “Perhaps the most important of these is discipline and maturity, particularly when compared to non-military peers of the same age. The consistency, commitment and loyalty to the organization combined with skills and abilities honed through military service are highly valued characteristics that make for great employees. Maj. Gen. Bohac added, “It takes a team to make this opportunity possible and I am grateful for Governor Heineman’s leadership along with the efforts of Cathy Lang from the Nebraska Department of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for their support of our service members, veterans and their families.” Since the first event held in Lincoln last April, the Omaha event will be the 10th Hiring Our Heroes event held in Nebraska. These job fairs have been held in Lincoln, Omaha, Norfolk, Alliance, Holdrege, Papillion, Beatrice and Grand Island. These hiring fairs have served around 1,300 veterans and 300 employers. Since Sept. 11, 2001, thousands of Nebraska servicemen and women have served around the world, including duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans, as members of the Nebraska National Guard, the U.S. Reserves and active military. Among these thousands of Nebraska service members are the more than 1,300 Nebraska Army National Guard Soldiers who have returned home to Nebraska from overseas deployments since January 2011. More information about these events can be found online at hoh.greatjob.net and dol.nebraska.gov.