ST. LOUIS, August 13, 2025 — The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) is proud to join forces with VIPER Transitions (Veteran Internships Providing Employment Readiness) and our industry partners National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA), in a collaborative initiative to connect military veterans with meaningful careers across the electrical industry.
At the core of this initiative is VIPER Transitions, a veteran-led organization with a mission to end veteran suicide through the elimination of its main causes: veteran unemployment, underemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, and a fractured support system. Through this collaboration, transitioning service members can find meaningful careers across our industry that offer stability, purpose, and the opportunity to grow.
This collaboration directly supports NAED’s Workforce Development strategy by helping members build stronger, more diverse talent pipelines to meet the evolving demands of the electrical distribution industry. By elevating awareness of our industry and creating accessible entry points for high-potential military veterans, this initiative serves those who have served America while expanding the talent pool our industry needs. Veterans bring proven strengths in leadership, discipline, and hands-on experience, making them especially well-suited for roles across electrical distribution.
“As a veteran myself, I’m proud NAED and our channel partner associations have made this commitment to providing brave servicemembers opportunities to join an industry that has been so good to so many of us. This is a meaningful step toward building a strong, service-ready talent pipeline for our members.” –Wes Smith, President and CEO, NAED
As part of a fully funded pilot program, NAED members can explore this veteran talent pipeline at no cost, gaining early access to a coordinated recruitment effort supported by VIPER’s expertise in military transition. It’s a ready-made path for members to engage with a mission-driven talent pool and a strategic step forward in closing the industry’s workforce gap.
Together, NAED, NECA, NEMA, and NEMRA are helping alleviate one of our industry’s greatest challenges: building the workforce we need to power America. But this is more than a workforce solution. It’s an opportunity to honor service members and to strengthen the entire electrical supply chain—one hire at a time.
To learn more about this initiative, how your company can get involved, and NAED’s Workforce Development initiative, please contact Chaney Disselhorst at cdisselhorst@naed.org.