By Chris Miles, Military and Veteran Relations Manager, Sonepar USA
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The annual Veteran Ready Summit once again brought together leaders from across the country to advance a shared mission: empowering employers to better recruit, retain, and support America’s veterans. Far more than a traditional conference, the summit challenges organizations to move beyond being “military friendly” and instead become truly Veteran Ready—equipped with the infrastructure, cultural competency, and long-term commitment needed to help veterans thrive in civilian careers.
Backed by a coalition of respected partners—including the American Trucking Associations, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Fastport, Hiring Our Heroes, Legrand, National Association of Electrical Distributors, Pike Enterprises, Sonepar, Schneider Electric, Tenstreet, Veterans in Energy, and Werner Enterprises—the summit has become a premier platform for connecting employers with veterans seeking meaningful, long-term career pathways.
“The Veteran Ready Summit was a great opportunity to share and learn from others who are supporting our nation’s military community,” said James Simpson, Manager of Talent Acquisition at Pike Enterprises. “As a veteran, an employer, and an advocate for those who choose to serve our great nation, I was surprised by the array of employers and resources. I learned about new ways to engage, programs to help veterans thrive, and opportunities to partner and expand our reach.”
A Mission with Purpose
The summit equips organizations with actionable strategies and insights to strengthen veteran hiring and retention. Programming focuses on the unique strengths veterans bring to the workforce—leadership, adaptability, discipline, and a mission-driven mindset—while addressing the structural support needed to ensure long-term success.
Key pillars of the summit include:
• Actionable Strategies for building or enhancing veteran hiring initiatives
• Expert Voices from more than 50 senior military leaders and industry specialists
• Networking and Collaboration among 150+ employers and veteran-serving organizations
• Access to Resources, including policy updates, tools, and programmatic support
Spotlight on Impactful Initiatives
A highlight of this year’s summit was HERstory, a storytelling initiative led by the Military Women’s Memorial which was sponsored by Sonepar’s Military Employment Resource Group (MERGE). The program amplifies the experiences of 14 female veterans, ensuring their contributions are preserved within the broader narrative of American military history.
Another milestone occurred at the Pentagon, where more than 100 employers signed the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the employment rights of National Guard and Reserve members.
The summit also honored excellence through the Transition Trucking Award, presented to U.S. Army Veteran Charles Jones Jr. of Roehl Transport, who received a new Kenworth T680 truck.
Key Conversations Shaping the Future
A major panel discussion explored the evolving role of veterans in the energy sector. Moderated by Chris Miles of Sonepar, the panel featured leaders from Schneider Electric, Legrand, the National Association of Electrical Distributors, Pike Corporation and Veterans in Energy.
“The Veteran Ready Summit is a top priority for me because of the Fastport team’s intentional and human-centered approach,” said Kayla Rozo, Director of EVSE Business Development and Sales at Legrand North & Central America. “This is not a traditional conference. It is an interactive, deeply engaging experience with actionable conversations, vulnerability, and moments of both reflection and laughter.”
Three themes emerged from the discussion:
• Expanding career opportunities for veterans in the energy/electrical distribution sector
• Strengthening cross-industry collaboration
• Supporting legislative efforts such as the Veterans Energy Transition Act
Community, Commitment, and Collective Impact
The summit’s influence extends beyond workforce development. Organizations such as the Bob Woodruff Foundation played a prominent role in highlighting the importance of holistic support for veterans and their families.
“Because of Sonepar and its partners, the Bob Woodruff Foundation was able to reach a broader audience and clearly demonstrate the real impact we make for service members, veterans, and their families,” said Nikki Stork, Chief Revenue Officer. “Sonepar’s commitment to those who serve sets the standard for what strong partnerships should look like—built on trust, action, and relationships that deliver real results.”
Keith Whitcomb, Senior Director of Operations, added, “Sonepar’s commitment to caring for those who serve exemplifies the power of meaningful collaboration and the importance of partnerships that create lasting, positive change.”
Fastport President Brad Bentley highlighted the summit’s expanded engagement efforts: “Radio Nemo always broadcasts live during the Veteran Ready Summit, but this year we also added StoryCorps interviews in partnership with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. I think attendees appreciated the chance for the voices to be heard, and the interactions with the various Veterans Service Organizations was also a positive.”
Looking Ahead
As the Veteran Ready Summit continues to grow, its impact is increasingly felt across industries and communities. The event serves as a catalyst for innovative workforce strategies, stronger employer commitments, and more robust support networks for veterans transitioning into civilian life.
Ultimately, the summit represents a movement—one that champions the value veterans bring to the workforce and challenges employers to rise to the occasion. Through continued collaboration among employers, policymakers, and veteran advocates, the future promises expanded opportunities and deeper recognition of veterans’ immense potential to lead, innovate, and inspire.
Chris Miles is the Military & Veteran Relations Manager at Sonepar, working to drive the success of Sonepar’s Military and Veteran Program at all levels of the organization. Before Sonepar, Chris was the Regional Director for ADP’s Southwest Military Business Resource Group, El Paso Chamber of Commerce Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, and a Military Program Manager on ADP’s Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) Veteran Hiring Program team. Chris was the 2024 Inaugural Hiring our Heroes Fellows Program Alumni Excellence Award Recipient.
Chris served in the United States Army for 26 years culminating as the 62nd Engineer Battalion Command Sergeant Major. Chris is a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and is an alumni member of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Tagged with NAED, Sonepar, veterans