U.S. Department of Labor Vets Medallion Luncheon Recognizes Those That Employ Vets

The HeroZona Foundation, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and the Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers is pleased to announce the U.S. Department of Labor’s Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Luncheon on Friday, November 16, at the Phoenix Convention Center. The event will occur during the HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit, with registration starting at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon beginning at 12 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Award recognizes employers for their investments in recruiting, employing and retaining the nation’s veterans. Over 230 employers will be recognized at the luncheon. The companies will be announced prior to the event, during an award ceremony on Thursday, November 8, in Washington D.C. The award signals to veterans that an employer is committed to and supports veteran careers.

The program utilizes the requirements of the HIRE Vets Act, which was signed by President Trump in May 2017. The award recognizes small, medium and large employers at two levels, platinum and gold. Verification of the award criteria includes a self-attestation by the applicant and a check for violations of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Act (VEVRAA).

“The HIRE Vets Act of 2017 directed creation of the Medallion Program, which is the only federal award program that recognizes job creators who successfully recruit, hire, and retain veterans. We are proud to recognize our deserving 2018 award recipients,” says the Director of Strategic Outreach for Veterans Employment Service (VETS) for the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Air Force Col. (R), Timothy Green.

Welcoming remarks will be given by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and the Executive Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism, Debbie Johnson. The luncheon’s Master of Ceremonies will be President and CEO of the HeroZona Foundation, and Desert Storm U.S. Air Force Veteran, Ronnie R. Williams. The Director of Strategic Outreach for Veterans Employment Service (VETS) for the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Air Force Col. (R), Timothy Green, will also be speaking.

The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. (R) and Purple Heart recipient, Justin Constantine. Constantine was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and served as a Civil Affairs Team Leader while attached to an infantry battalion. During a combat patrol, Justin was shot in the head by a sniper. For his service in Iraq, Constantine earned the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon and Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal. He now runs his own business, serves as an inspirational leader and is a veteran employment expert.

“We are honored that the U.S. Department of Labor will be recognizing employers who hire our nation’s veterans at the HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit,” says U.S. Army Desert Storm Veteran and HeroZona Foundation Founder, Alan “AP” Powell.

PING will also be doing a giveaway for those in attendance on Friday, November 16. They are donating a VIP custom fitting by its experts and a full set of PING golf clubs for one winning hero. This set includes one G400 driver, two G400 fairway woods and G400 hybrids with standard graphite shafts, one set of (8) irons (choice of model) with standard steel shafts and one Sigma G putter.

“PING has a long history of making custom-engineered, custom-fit, and custom-built golf equipment that helps every golfer play their best, including golfers with disabilities,” says Corporate Counsel for Karsten Manufacturing Corporation and the Parent Company of PING, Dawn Grove.

The HeroZona Foundation’s HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit is a three-day engagement returning to Phoenix from November 14 through November 16, to empower veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education. It is spearheaded by the HeroZona Foundation and Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services, in conjunction with the State of Arizona, City of Phoenix and Arizona Corporate Council on Veteran Careers.

The engagement is culminated by various events including the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, Phoenix Sun’s NBA Military Appreciation Night basketball game and other entertainment activities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will also attend and host workshops for large companies, small veteran owned businesses and veterans interested in government contracting certification.

It is $75 to attend the luncheon, free parking will be available to veterans and their spouses. For more information about the U.S. Department of Labor’s Vets HIRE Vets Medallion Luncheon and all of the HeroPreneur National Veteran Business Summit’s upcoming experiences, visit HeroPreneur.com.

About HeroZona Foundation
The HeroZona Foundation has a strong focus on veteran initiatives and honoring those who have served our country and their family members. The nonprofit’s name reflects that messaging to focus on empowering and celebrating America’s veterans. Their upcoming event, HeroPreneur is a three-day Veterans Day engagement with three pillars to empower Arizona’s veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education. HeroZona‘s Annual Heropreneur National Veteran Business Summit has created a multi-day networking experience to improve America’s support of
Veteran companies through workshops, networking, entrepreneurial connections, and seminars. The engagement is culminated by various entertainment events including the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, Phoenix Sun’s NBA Military basketball game and other entertainment activities. For more information visit hnvbs.com, heropreneur.com or herozona.org.