CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — July 23, 2020. Mavendog was honored to speak at this year’s NC4ME / VBH Military Employment Leadership Forum, an event that brings together strategic leaders, human resource professionals, and recruiters from employers all across North Carolina to discuss military/Veteran hiring. NC4ME invited Mavendog and other industry, government, and military leaders to share their experiences and success stories with hiring military talent for a civilian workplace.

In order to accommodate COVID restrictions, the summit moved online to a virtual platform. This also allowed more attendees to join from all across the Carolinas, offering a diverse and engaging experience for all who participated.

Keynote Speaker Larry Hall, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, passionately spoke about military talent and implementing a military hiring initiative. Additional speakers included Kimberly Williams, founder & CEO of NC4ME, Paul Bill, the Employment Alliance Director at Veterans Bridge Home, and Major General Bill Busby, US Air Force/Air National Guard, Retired. Mr. Busby is also a 33-year IBM vet as a Partner and Vice President, Global Business Services.

Mavendog’s president, Jon Vordermark, has been a panel speaker in years past. This year he joined fellow panelists Andrew Barnes, Vice President and Military National Partnerships Leader for Wells Fargo; Michael Piper, Military Recruiting Strategist for Lowe’s Companies, Inc.; and Buddy Erks, Senior Nuclear Recruiter for Duke Energy.

Panelists shared ways to attract, select, and retain top military personnel. For Jon’s part he spoke specifically about the advantages of military hiring for consulting and contract services: “I enjoy our NC4ME relationship and the platform they have given Mavendog over the years,” said Vordermark. “Even for the most remarkable military candidates, it’s tough to convince some clients/buyers to diversify their consultant buying habits. They often overlook the parallels between military and civilian project experiences and gravitate to candidates who are familiar — e.g., from known companies or industries; have ‘check-the-box’ certifications; or have recognizable (non-military) technology experience.

We encourage clients not to overlook the intangibles of diplomacy, leadership, perseverance. Such intangibles are in fact harder to find. All projects have long, stressful, valleys. The work is a test of fortitude. That’s when a military background can truly pay off.”

The next NC4ME Military Employment Summit will be held virtually in March of 2021. For more information, visit the NC4ME website for registration details.

Mavendog, LLC is a project leadership firm headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. We are a team of specialized, flex delivery leaders who help clients evaluate, plan, and drive project wins. Our services span Strategic Portfolio Development, Program Leadership, and Project & Change Delivery. We provide expertise for large program initiatives, as well as tactical support for short-term and part-time project needs.