Clark County businesses honored for hiring vets - Nov. 8, 2007

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Media contacts: Sheryl Hutchison, 360-902-9289
Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

OLYMPIA – SEH America and United Natural Foods were honored today by the Employment Security Department for their efforts to employ military veterans.
 
beverly Kimble, area director for Employment Security in Southwest Washington, kicked off a special job fair for veterans by presenting Hire-A-Vet Challenge awards to the two companies.  The department launched the Hire-A-Vet Challenge in 2006 to encourage businesses to hire National Guard and Reserve members who are returning from war. 
 
“Our troops are returning home and need help re-starting their careers,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee, who was unable to present the awards herself.  “Businesses can welcome them home by making an active effort to recruit and hire veterans.”
 
SEH America employs 780 employees at its silicon wafer production plant in Vancouver.  Since 2005, the company has hired 97 veterans, representing 13 percent of its work force.  SEH America also employs 11 National Guard and Reserve members.  The company has committed to hire more veterans in the future.
 
United Natural Foods, a wholesale distributor of natural and organic foods in Ridgefield, employs seven veterans on its 21-person staff.  All seven veterans were hired during the past year, representing 33 percent of the company’s work force.  The company also has one Reservist, who recently returned from active duty.  United Natural Foods has pledged to hire more veterans as it expands its operations in Clark County. 
 
“These companies’ commitment to veterans is truly exceptional and worthy of recognition,” said Mike Gregoire, husband of Governor Chris Gregoire and an advocate for veterans.  “I strongly encourage other businesses to follow their lead.”
 
More than 10,000 Washington National Guard and Reserve members have been activated since Sept. 11, 2001, as part of the nation’s war on terror.  Research by the Employment Security Department in early 2006 indicated that 60 percent of National Guard and Reserve members who returned from war in 2003 or 2004 did not have jobs in Washington in 2005.  Of those who worked before going to war and obtained new jobs after being deactivated, most were making at least 5 percent less than they did before being deployed.
 
Employers who are interested in hiring veterans but don’t know where to start, as well as veterans who are looking for work, should visit their local WorkSource office.
 

 

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