ASLRRA’s Veterans Engagement Award honors industry employers who demonstrate positive policies toward U.S. veterans and who implement unique programs and practices to hire, recognize, support, and engage with veterans in the workplace and the broader community. Learn more about the award criteria by clicking the button below.
In evaluating nominees, ASLRRA’s Veterans Engagement Award judges evaluate the extent to which organizations meet three criteria: How they have engaged with military veterans; how they have supported or recognized veterans in the workplace and community; and how they have worked to target veterans through hiring practices. This year’s winner, ASLRRA associate business member HDR, demonstrates noteworthy accomplishments in each of these categories, through its work with outside organizations and development of internal programs.
Internally, HDR has a number of programs in place to facilitate veteran recruiting and support military veteran employees.
HDR’s Veterans Employee Network Group (VENG) brings together veterans, military family members and others to build a supportive community for current and prospective HDR employees. Additional internal resources include a company-wide mentorship program, resource libraries and continuing education opportunities and career planning.
“The transition time from the military into civilian life can be very stressful and sometimes challenging. When I joined HDR as a Hiring Our Heroes fellow, I quickly found that HDR recognized and valued the unique skills and values that veterans bring. The support and resources that HDR provided me with during that time made my transition from the service very smooth,” said HDR Cybersecurity Operations Manager Ina Robinson. “Not long after coming onboard as a full-time employee, I was promoted from senior cybersecurity analyst to cybersecurity operations manager. This allowed me to thrive professionally and work hard to give back to the company that has positively impacted my life.”
Efforts by the VENG to celebrate veterans have included several key initiatives implemented in the past year. HDR created a video about the experiences of veteran employees, which also featured HDR CEO John Henderson, who served nearly 24 years in the Army. These employees are also honored on Veterans Day and displays to honor fallen service members are set up in recognition of Memorial Day.
Beyond its own employees, HDR has established a National Supplier Diversity Program to foster partnerships with small businesses, which include veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. And HDR donated approximately $45,000 to veterans organizations in 2024 through the HDR Foundation. This includes $10,000 to the Veterans Health Administration in Omaha, Nebraska to provide care to over 100 homeless veterans and their families served by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system in Nebraska and Western Iowa.
Increased outreach to veterans is part of HDR’s work to “grow and evolve inclusive recruiting efforts.”
As part of efforts to both engage with and recruit members of the U.S. Armed Forces, HDR is a sponsor of and active participant with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), a foundation that provides career services to veterans, military spouses and service members transitioning to the civilian workforce. HDR participates in HOH hiring events and career fairs and the organization’s Fellowship Cohort Program, which offers internship opportunities and industry-focused training to veterans, spouses and others.
Senior leaders at HDR are active in Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), an association to bring together digital infrastructure stakeholders. One of the iMasons’ initiatives is to increase the number of military-affiliated individuals in the digital infrastructure industry and HDR’s efforts in this area have earned it an iMasons Military Serious organization designation.
HDR also works with the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), engaging with retiring or separating military members and is a 3-Star Corporate Member of the Veterans in Business (VIB) Network to help veteran-owned businesses make connections that facilitate contracting opportunities.
Finally, HDR has a robust initiative to connect with veterans through LinkedIn campaigns and a military and veterans career page.
Click here to learn more about the important programs and activities of ASLRRA member employers who prioritize hiring, engaging and supporting veterans in the workplace and in the community.
