HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (April 22, 2021) — The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced today a formal partnership through Hiring Our Heroes (HOH). Huntsville has been selected as the newest site for a full-time program manager to support the HOH Corporate Fellowship Program and other recruitment resources for transitioning military service members.
“Service men and women are proven leaders and team players with valuable skills that transfer easily into our economy,” said Lucia Cape, the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber’s senior vice president of economic development, industry relations, and workforce. “Hiring Our Heroes is not only a natural fit for our aerospace and defense companies, but also for our manufacturers in automotive, electronics and other precision industries.”
As one of the fastest growing tech cities in the United States, Huntsville is projected to add more than 25,000 new jobs by the end of 2022 in aerospace, defense, manufacturing, construction, logistics, and technology. The demand to fill these roles with talent from the military community is high. Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes and vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said that program applicants have been showing interest in making Huntsville their post-military home for some time.
Preston Webb, Program Manager for Hiring Our Heroes in Huntsville, Ala.
“Hiring Our Heroes is committed to connecting these employers with top talent from the military community to fill in-demand roles. Expanding the Corporate Fellowship Program to Huntsville is an all-round win-win,” Eversole said.
As part of the partnership, HOH has hired a full-time program manager, Preston Webb, who will be dedicated to connecting Huntsville companies with transitioning military talent. To learn more about hosting a fellow through the Huntsville CFP, email him: [email protected].
“I am very excited for this opportunity for Hiring Our Heroes to expand its operations into Huntsville and to also be a part of this team,” said Webb. “As a local who was born and raised here, I am looking forward to assisting in bringing more Veterans to our area and working on enriching the opportunities for our transitioning military members here on Redstone Arsenal.”
Corporate sponsors have priority access to the HOH resources and receive additional promotion within the program. Sponsorships are available through the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber by contacting Kristy Drake ([email protected]). Thank you to YKTA and Raytheon Missiles & Defense for signing on as silver sponsors. We also thank Northrop Grumman for signing on as a sponsor!
Launched at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., in 2015, the Corporate Fellowship Program (CFP) is a DoD SkillBridge program available to transitioning service members during their last 180 days of active duty. Through the program, fellows gain insight into developing careers with America’s most sought-after private sector organizations while, at the same time, connecting employers with much-needed top talent from the military community. The program has experienced unbridled success, growing from three locations in 2015 to more than 15 sites across 13 states and the District of Columbia.
Approximately 1,261 service members completed fellowships in 2020 with more than 350 companies hosting fellows. The average salary for fellows who gained employment was over $90,000.
About the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber is the catalyst for business growth, community engagement, and action to drive economic vitality and advance our position as a global leader in technology and innovation. Our mission is to prepare, develop, and promote our community for economic growth.
About The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF)
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.
About Hiring Our Heroes
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is a 501(c)3 organization under the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The non-profit launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Hiring Our Heroes has helped hundreds of thousands of veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment through its comprehensive training and hiring events, fellowship programs, and online tools. HOH programs and services are available in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and on military installations around the world. For more information on programming and initiatives: HiringOurHeroes.org; @HiringOurHeroes on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.