Commerce is proud to announce that in the last year, veteran hiring reached a 16-year high, raising the total representation of veteran new hires to 12.5 percent.

Two years ago, on November 9, 2009, President Barack Obama issued Executive Order 13518: Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government. This Executive order charged all Cabinet-level departments with establishing a Veterans Employment Office, developing an operational plan, and providing mandatory annual training to hiring managers and senior human resources practitioners on veterans preferences and special appointing authorities for veterans.

In response to the President’s Executive Order, Commerce hired Sean Lenahan, former U.S. Coast Guard officer, as their Veterans Employment Program Manager to head the Veterans Employment Team and lead all Department-level veterans hiring initiatives. The Department’s Veterans Employment Team consists of members from the Census Bureau, the Patent and Trademark Office, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

“Our Veterans Employment Team has worked tirelessly to enhance employment opportunities for veterans throughout the Department,” said Bill Fleming, Director of Human Resources, Department of Commerce.  Mr. Fleming, a U.S. Army veteran, is one of the many veterans that hold key senior leadership positions within the Department.  Michael Phelps, Director, Office of the Budget, and Barry Berkowitz, Director, Office of Acquisition Management, are both highly decorated, retired officers of the U.S. Air Force.

To highlight the key themes of service and sacrifice that the President included in his Executive Order, a Veterans Day Ceremony was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Headquarters in Gaithersburg, MD, on November 8, 2011.   David Robinson, Associate Director for Management Resources (and a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer) stressed the importance of hiring veterans throughout NIST as well as at Commerce.   Mike Herman, Executive Officer for Administration, and a retired officer from the U.S. Navy, also spoke about the value of hiring veterans.  The ceremony also served as a tribute to the late Francis DeSirant, beloved co-worker at NIST and former U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Commerce has set a goal for fiscal year 2012 to reach a veteran new hire representation of 15.5 percent.  If you are a veteran and interested in employment with Commerce, visit our Veterans Hiring Initiatives webpage to see available positions.

To everyone who is serving and has served, we at Commerce thank you for your service and hope you feel valued this Veterans Day.