MERGE: Advancing Support for Military Professionals
Black & Veatch
At Black & Veatch, we create new possibilities for humanity through delivering innovation in infrastructure.
At Black & Veatch, Military Employee Resource Group Engagement (MERGE) is on a mission to provide unwavering support to our military professionals, veterans and their families. MERGE seeks to not only create a community within our company but also to extend its influence and participation with the broader military and veteran communities.?
Group Goals
To achieve this mission, MERGE’s objectives include:
The Measures of MERGE
Of course, objectives are only impactful when actions back them up. And MERGE walks the walk. MERGE members closely collaborate with our recruiters and leadership on how to recognize the potential of military personnel as valuable resources within our company. The group provides resources on volunteer opportunities, organizations to support and ways to send care packages to employees or their loved ones who are actively deployed.
MERGE’s influence extends beyond just our company, as members lend a hand to our communities as well. In collaboration with Toys for Tots, the employee-resource group (ERG) hosted a toy drive for the Marine Corps Reserve 2023. They’ve also participated in and sponsored the 2023 Spencer C. Duncan 5k, supported the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and sponsored the Kansas City Armed Forces Hockey Classic. The annual Veterans Day Celebration is perhaps the group’s most significant community event. This year, the observation was held at our own World Headquarters in partnership with T-Mobile and The City of Overland Park . Among the Kansas City area’s largest Veterans Day events, the free, open-to-the-public showcase featured equipment presentations, flyovers and helicopter landings. The event also included inspiring words from our CEO Mario Azar , Overland Park Mayor Curt Skoog and Black & Veatch Vice President, Federal Solutions Director and Resilience Programs Liaison and (Retired) USACE Colonel, Jason Kirk, PE, Assoc. DBIA . The 2023 celebration represented the 16th consecutive year that Black & Veatch has sponsored the observance in a showing of our support for service members, veterans and their families.
Member Mentions?
The best way to understand the environment and impact MERGE has created is from members themselves.?
“Being part of MERGE is all about involvement and supporting our veterans.? One of the great things about ERGs is how diverse our membership is across the company. We have individual contributors, all the way up to senior executives. I can formalize ideas that will better serve our veterans and then take those ideas to capture senior level support.? All within our ERG!”
领英推荐
- James Elliott , Director, Program Management Office
“MERGE gives me an outlet to support those who dedicated their lives to protect the freedoms Americans enjoy every day. I have many military family members and friends across all branches including my dad, grandpa, niece, nephew and brother-in-law. It means the world to me that I’ve found a way to give back to this community.”
- Courtney Robertson , Senior Financial Analysis Manager
‘“It means being a part of something I'm passionate about that is greater than myself. It's about giving back and supporting all my family and friends that have served or are serving. It's a part of who I am.”
- Julie Eiter, P.E., LEED AP , Regional Director, Business Development
Closing Comments
Creating a space where veterans feel appreciated and empowered is the least we can do in thanks for the sacrifices they have made. Whether that means providing camaraderie, professional development or anything in between, our company is dedicated to advancing our nation’s armed forces and the careers of those who serve.
We look forward to seeing how MERGE continues to expand its support and resources to our local military professionals and communities.?
Interested in joining our team? Contact us to help translate your military skills into civilian qualifications.
VP, BV Special Projects Corp.; Federal Solutions Director & Resilience Program Liaison
11 个月"Iron sharpens Iron" is a way to think of the value of MERGE members and supporters sharpening ? and supporting each other to make all Black & Veatch stronger ?? !! Proud to be on the Team!!!