Tacoma-area businesses honored for hiring vets - May 16, 2007

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

OLYMPIA – During a special luncheon of the Puyallup Rotary today, Northwest Cascade and CSM Solutions were honored for their efforts to employ military veterans.

The companies received awards from the Employment Security Department as part of its Hire-A-Vet Challenge. The effort was launched more than a year ago to encourage businesses to hire National Guard and Reserve members who are returning from war.  

“Many of our citizen soldiers are returning home and are ready to get back to work,” said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee, who presented the awards today. “Washington businesses can make it a true welcome home by reaching out to recruit and hire veterans.”

Northwest Cascade of Puyallup, a construction and development company, was among the first companies to accept the Hire-A-Vet Challenge. Since accepting the Hire-A-Vet challenge last year, the company has hired 42 veterans, bringing its work force of former military personnel to 59 out of more than 380 employees.  The company also employs five Reserve members, four of whom are on active duty.   

CSM Solutions of Tacoma has 223 employees in Pierce County who develop and perform combat scenarios for military training.  Since January 2007, the company has hired 95 veterans.  CSM Solutions also employs five Reserve members, of whom two are on active duty.  CSM Solutions has pledged to hire more whenever possible.

“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 or call 800-562-2308. 

The Employment Security Department will organize additional events in other communities throughout 2007 to support the Hire-A-Vet Challenge and to recognize businesses that hire veterans.

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