Attracting and retaining top talent is key to Eaton’s growth and continued success, and this talent pool includes the men and women who have served our country. By tapping into the positive qualities of military veterans, Eaton is able to add employees with tested leadership skills and exceptional learning abilities, which are foundational competencies at Eaton.
ATTRACTING TALENT
Hiring from this continually replenished pool of talent, where the link between the values and culture of Eaton and those of the armed services is so closely connected, makes great business sense. The core values of the military reinforce Eaton’s values and philosophy.
In order to attract and retain top veteran talent, Eaton believes in establishing itself as an employer of choice among military professionals. Eaton also is focused on educating internal stakeholders on the benefits of hiring veterans and the best approach to do so. This includes educating and setting expectations on how to be successful at hiring, selecting, and on-boarding military talent.
Eaton’s Vehicle Group has long supported military members and veterans through a number of initiatives, most of which are organized by members of the Veteran Eaton Resource Group (ERG).
Featured Image: Eaton Vehicle Group North America employees from the Kearney, Nebraska, campus recently raised the ESGR flag to honor military members and veterans.
Above: Eaton Vehicle Group leadership joins the Patriot Award ceremony at the Galesburg, Michigan, campus.
SHOWING SUPPORT
Support for military members and veterans takes place at both the corporate and manufacturing facility level, such as the Vehicle Group’s Kearney, Nebraska, facility, where employees and supervisors recently raised the Employer Support of the Guard (ESGR) flag to honor military members and veterans. ESGR, a Department of Defense program, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.
The facility employs more than 20 military support members and veterans and has a long history of supporting those who serve in the armed forces through its Military Support Group, which recognizes veterans and deployed employees with care packages, special recognition on Veteran’s Day, and Remember Everyone Deployed (RED) Shirt Fridays to show appreciation for servicemen and servicewomen.
“We are proud to recognize Eaton for the company’s extraordinary support of serving members of the Guard and Reserve, veterans, and their families,” says Paul G. Cohen, Brig. Gen. (RET), United States Air Force (USAF) and state chair of the ESGR Nebraska Committee. “Eaton’s leadership is vital to the defense and safety of our nation and state, and is deeply appreciated.”
The new flag was requested by Ray Batchelder, senior analyst, Environment, Health and Safety, Kearney, Vehicle Group North America, and Katie Vande Berg, supervisor, Human Resources, Kearney, Vehicle Group North America, as a replacement for one that long flew at the plant.
“Eaton is committed to having the highest ethical standards and that includes recognition of the service and commitment of our men and women in the military,” says Scott Bailey, plant manager, Kearney, Vehicle Group North America. “The Eaton Kearney plant is committed to being stewards of our local community and we are proud to support our employees who are part of our military.”
Jim Hambrush (left), Chief Master Sergeant and 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Assistant Superintendent and master technician, Eaton Vehicle Group North America, was joined by Sergeant Arnold Ward, AH-64 Attack Helicopter Crew Chief and senior sales representative, Vehicle Group North America, to raise the flag at a Veteran’s Day celebration on Eaton Vehicle Group’s Galesburg, Michigan, campus.
CELEBRATING HEROES
The Kearney facility produces engine valves and gears for leading global automotive manufacturers. It employs more than 500 people.
Also, the Vehicle Group’s Galesburg, Michigan, campus celebrated Veteran’s Day with a number of activities. Sponsored by the Veteran ERG, the celebration began with two current reservists in military attire leading a flag-raising ceremony outside the building entrance. During the ceremony, each veteran employee’s name was read aloud, along with their branch of service.
Andy Short, vice president, Quality, Vehicle Group, shook hands with each veteran and handed them envelopes containing commemorative pins, lunch tickets, and a letter from Pavan Pattada, president, Vehicle Group North America.
Other activities during the day included: writing thank you cards to veterans, deployed active-duty military personnel, and first responders; a patriotic-themed snack; and monitors throughout the campus broadcasting information on Eaton veterans.
ACTIONS SPEAK VOLUMES
Eaton’s actions in support of military members and veterans have not gone unnoticed.
Vehicle Group employees Michael A. Galloway, senior manager, Test Lab, Center of Excellence (COE), and Lauryn King, team leader, Test Lab, COE, were recently presented with the ESGR Patriot Award. The award is given to supervisors for their support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Both employees work at the Vehicle Group’s headquarters facility in Galesburg.
Galloway and King were nominated for the award by Jim Hambruch, master technician, COE, and a Chief Master Sergeant in the USAF Reserves. They received the awards at a ceremony on campus.
Hambruch said he nominated Galloway and King for their unconditional support throughout his military career.
“I had to finish my associate degree to become a Chief Master Sergeant and they worked with me on adjusting my schedule so that I could make it to classes at Lake Michigan College,” says Hambruch. “I also had to take a Chief’s course on short notice, and not once were they anything other than supportive of me. Making Chief was a great accomplishment in my life and career in the Air Force, but it is a reflection of the great managers I have in Mike and Lauryn.”
ESGR is supported by a network of more than 4,600 volunteers and 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Volunteers from small business and industry, government, education, and prior military service, bring a vast wealth of experience to assist in serving employers, service members, and their families.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Find out more about the Employer Support of the Guard, visit www.esgr.mil. For more on Eaton’s products, services, and values, visit www.eaton.com.
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MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS: NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE
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