As we give thanks to our military troops past and present on Memorial Day weekend, we are especially grateful for those we personally know and admire. Chesapeake will honor these men and women with a flag-inspired light display at the Fort Worth plaza.
We employ more than 1,400 former and active service members across the nation. Of those more than 40 live and work right here in North Texas.
Spc. Joel Williams of Chesapeake’s Corporate Security & Ethics team was deployed in May to Afghanistan. He took with him prayers for strength and safety, plus the knowledge that he has a job and friends anxiously awaiting his return.
Williams with Delta Company 3/144 prepares for
his first deployment with the Texas Army National Guard.
Others have completed their duties.
Army veteran Glenn Rose, a Drilling Superintendent Advisor, served two tours in Vietnam and then had a 36-year career in the oil and natural gas industry, which has sent him to more than 30 countries.
“The one thing that has remained constant from when I served to today are the abilities learned to prepare a soldier for whatever job they wish to seek when they get out,” he said. “They are disciplined, regimented, well trained, proud and enthusiastic. They are driven by rules and the desire to accomplish goals.”
Chesapeake creates a mutually beneficial situation when it hires military members. Their valued skill sets include an accelerated learning curve, safety awareness, a respect for procedures, strong leadership qualities and an ability to effectively overcome challenges in changing environments. In return, veterans are given the opportunity to start with or return to a company that was recently ranked number 18 on Fortune Magazine’s Top 100 Companies to Work For.
“We have eight guys and gals that serve who work in our office. In fact, Field Engineer Gentry Squires just got back from serving a tour in Afghanistan,” said Loni Rowan, Senior Production Assistant at Chesapeake’s East Tarrant facility.
Capt. Squires returned home from his most recent tour in the Middle East in March 2012. The twice-honored Bronze Star recipient said, “I’m very thankful for the employees of Chesapeake and the support of each of them upon my return from Afghanistan and being away from the company for a year. Their help in making a smooth reintegration to home and back to work after the stresses of a warzone has made it feel as though I never left.”
Squires sees his wife Michelle pregnant for the first
time while on leave in November 2011. Before
returning to duty, he witnessed the birth of his daughter,
Myla, who is now 6 months old.
After serving five years in the United States Navy, PS Petty Officer 3rd Class Monica Rosebrock Day is now an Administrative Assistant in the Cleburne field office. “Working for Chesapeake is an honor. I am proud to be with a company that supports our military and veterans,” said Day.
Day from Garland, Texas, served as a plane captain
for the VAW-120 Early Warning Squadron.
Rose said it is important for employers to quickly hire veterans while they’re at their sharpest and morale is high upon returning home. He is proud to work for an industry and a company that does its best to support and facilitate the significant and often tough transition back to civilian life once a soldier’s duty is fulfilled.
In 2011 and 2012, G.I. JOBS magazine designated Chesapeake as a Top 100 Military-Friendly Employer. And in November 2011, the U.S. Chamber honored Chesapeake as one of 25 American companies with an exceptional record of hiring veterans.