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DAV Patriot Employers help veterans thrive beyond the hiring process. Home news & media news DAV Patriot Employers help veterans thrive beyond the hiring process. Posted on Mar 16, 2026 When transitioning out of the Air Force in 2015, Adam Cassidy thought he was ahead of the curve by sending over 175 applications to different employers. He only received about a dozen responses. Cassidy's struggle was one that many veterans face: breaking through the noise of the job market while balancing the transition into a new chapter of life. After some trial and error, Cassidy landed a job at logistics and trucking company Werner Enterprises as a safety manager. When he learned of the company's veterans program, he knew immediately that he wanted to get involved. He started by offering to review veterans' resumes for Werner's hiring team. He knew that without someone capable of translating military skills, valuable experience could get buried at the bottom of the resume pile. For example, a military occupation title and description rarely cover the range of responsibilities that a veteran has likely acquired in that position. Many veterans also bring qualities like dedication and reliability to the workplace, but those "soft skills" may not appear on a resume. This past August, Werner Enterprises was recognized as DAV's Large Patriot Employer of the Year for its demonstrated excellence and dedication to the military and veteran community through its hiring, onboarding and retention practices. "I love being in the service of others," said Cassidy, who became a DAV life member in 2023. "That's what drew me to the military. I tell our drivers that transportation is another way to serve. Less gunfire but the same principle - it's about safely accomplishing the mission." Now, in addition to his role as director of safety, Cassidy helps chair the Werner Enterprises Veterans (WEVets) group. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, where Werner is headquartered, the fast-growing group is made up of over 300 members who help the company's veterans capitalize on networking opportunities, develop in their careers and serve communities. "Every year, we highlight employers who make a difference by hiring from the veteran community through our Patriot Employer Program," said DAV National Employment Director Jeremy Yost, a Marine veteran. "But the consideration goes beyond just hiring veterans and military spouses. DAV-related co want to recognize and assist employers who help them grow and thrive in their careers long-term. "As our 2025 Large Patriot Employer of the Year, Werner is a great example of how to build veteran support systems into multiple areas of the business." Evaluation criteria for the Patriot Employer Awards include the strength of the company's veteran recruiting and hiring efforts; retention and career-building efforts; policies supporting active-duty, disabled and veteran employees; and community outreach initiatives to support all veterans in communities where the business operates. According to Yost, all companies that can demonstrate their support in these areas deserve a spotlight, but smaller businesses don't always receive as much recognition for their hard work. With categories for small, midsize and large companies, the DAV Patriot Employer Program ensures equal appreciation and promotion across the board. Along with Werner Enterprises, in 2025 DAV awarded NTT Global Data Centers Americas Inc. as the midsize employer and Artemis ARC as the small employer. "Supporting veterans isn't just something we do," said Artemis ARC CEO Luke Sturges, who is a service-disabled Army veteran. "It's something we deeply believe in. We know that veterans bring incredible talent, resilience and leadership to everything they do. We've seen firsthand how their experience strengthens teams and drives impact." "Since 2021, DAV's Patriot Employer Awards have boosted awareness for the winning organizations within the military community," Yost said. "But along with that audience, we hope other companies are watching and learning from the winners. We want them to borrow ideas and expand their own veteran and military support programs. And then we want to highlight them, too. It's a win on all sides." While there are three award winners, all nominated employers who meet the eligibility requirements will be recognized as DAV Patriot Employers and receive a digital badge to display on their website. Cassidy's career at Werner shows that veteran success often happens when strong programs are met with individual action. While company policies lay the foundation, real impact comes from the everyday actions of employees who choose to support their veteran colleagues. What makes a DAV Patriot Employer? DAV Patriot Employers are committed to building intentional hiring practices that bring veterans, military spouses and other members of the military community into the fold through multiple access points. Here are some examples of how that may look, based on its 2025 winners: Large employer hiring practices: * Organizational commitment to hiring from the military community * Multiple career pathways with dedicated training programs * Military skills test waivers * Apprenticeship programs for specific roles * Partnerships for more exposure to the military community Midsize employer hiring practices: * Focus on sourcing, hiring and retaining veteran employees * Partnerships for more exposure to the military community * A committee to review military and veteran resumes Small employer hiring practices: * Annual veteran hiring goals and prioritization * Veterans on the recruiting team * Transition-related training opportunities * Partnerships for more exposure to the military community DAV Patriot Employers support their military employees throughout their career with targeted resources and opportunities. Here are some examples of that workplace support from its 2025 winners: Large employer workplace support: * Clear, structured career paths within the organization * A veteran resource group that offers community, support and camaraderie * Opportunities to build leadership and professional skills through mentorship and networking * Veteran-focused volunteer events Midsize employer workplace support: * A veteran resource group introduced during onboarding * Mentorship for veterans in their first civilian role * Veteran culture strengthened through monthly meetings and regional events Small employer workplace support: * Flexible work arrangements to accommodate military service * Training opportunities for professional certificates and core industry skills * Mentorship with a senior leader for guidance, direction and tailored support * A structured performance assessment process with clearly defined competencies * Regular checkpoints throughout the year to support career growth Supporting veterans in the workplace starts with those who have served. When veterans speak up, advocate for change and recognize employers who truly support them, they help create workplaces where service, leadership and resilience are valued every day. Nominating a company for the Patriot Employer Award is a way to honor what's working, share success stories and inspire more organizations to build environments where veterans can continue to grow and thrive. Luke Sturges, CEO Artemis ARC, Army veteran Take individual action Even if the company you currently work for doesn't have an official initiative for supporting the veteran community, you can make an impact. Here are five ways you can help shape your workplace culture to be more veteran-centric: * Organize a book club or skill-sharing session to educate colleagues and leadership about military experience or culture. * Reach out to newer veteran employees to offer support and guide them through any onboarding challenges. * Recommend veteran-focused service or volunteering events to leadership that align with your company's values and mission. * Help plan veteran appreciation events and awareness days that honor military service and foster pride across teams. * Share DAV's veteran hiring guide with your human resources and recruiting teams. It was built to educate employers on military-related hiring challenges and help them establish strong veteran and military programs. Does your company champion and support veterans and the military community? Consider nominating them for DAV's Patriot Employer Award. To learn more about the awards and its other employment services, visit dav.org/get-help-now/employment-entrepreneurship. Find a DAV location. Contact your nearest DAV office. They will help you file a claim and stick with you all through the process, because no veteran should have to go at it alone. Find Your Nearest DAV Office

Werner, a freight delivery company, will report Q4 earnings on Thursday after market close. Analysts expect revenue to remain flat year on year at $758.6 million, an improvement from the 8.2% decline recorded in the same quarter last year. Adjusted earnings are projected at $0.10 per share. Last quarter, Werner beat revenue expectations by 1%, reporting $771.5 million, up 3.5% year on year. However, the company missed analysts' adjusted operating income and EBITDA estimates. Werner has missed Wall Street's revenue estimates six times over the past two years. Analysts have largely reconfirmed their estimates over the last 30 days. Werner shares have risen 16.1% over the past month, outperforming the ground transportation segment's 8.5% average gain. The average analyst price target stands at $32.33, compared to the current share price of $37.17.