Link to photo of Veteran Employer Champions with OKC Mayor Holt
Oklahoma City Council, Community Service Council (CSC) and CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Alliance recognized 11 companies from across Oklahoma City today for becoming Veteran Employer Champions.
The companies recognized include:
- Arvest Bank
- BOK Financial
- Community Service Council
- Cox Communications
- Harrison Energy Partners
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
- Oklahoma Employment Security Commission – Veteran Services
- ONE Gas
- ONEOK, Inc
- Public Service Company of Oklahoma (An AEP company)
- TTCU Federal Credit Union
The Veteran Employer Network was created to identify and build a network of employers interested in recruiting, hiring, and developing Veterans in the workplace. Employers who complete the annual Veteran Employer Network Champion Survey and meet all seven benchmarks qualify to be recognized as a Veteran Employer Champion.
“The City of Oklahoma City is a new partner with the Veteran Employer Network, and we hope to build on the membership next year,” Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Shalynne Jackson said. “We want to encourage more employers to take the survey, so it creates a stronger veteran-ready culture citywide, including ourselves."
The Veteran Employer Network has experienced steady membership growth in 2023, with 219 members representing 112 organizations.
“The Community Service Council and the Oklahoma Veteran Alliance are proud this recognition program continues to grow and positively impact our veterans,” said Mark Morgan, Community Executive Liaison for the Community Service Council’s Oklahoma Veteran Alliance. “As we all know, employment is a key factor to a veteran and their family to transition home and to also help prevent veteran suicide.”
To become recognized as a Veteran Employer Champion, companies must meet seven benchmarks, including:
- Veteran recruitment, hiring, and retention.
- Active Veteran engagement with onboarding, Veteran Employee Resource Group or buddy program.
- Support for Veteran community programs and events.
- Veteran resources and support for Veteran employees.
- Executive sponsor leading Veteran strategies.
- Provide support for Guard and Reserve beyond Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
- Create opportunities for Veterans/Military Members to show their pride.
Partners of the Veteran Employer Champion Survey are the City of Oklahoma City, Community Service Council, DR Consulting and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance.
Individuals, companies or organizations interested in joining the Veteran Employer Champion Network can contact Mark Morgan, Executive Community Liaison for CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Connections and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance, mmorgan@csctulsa.org. Details at csctulsa.org/ok-vet-alliance.
