Wayne Strauss
Military: E-4 Seargent, U.S. Air Force
Sodexo: Multi-Unit General Manager, Health Care, Memorial Health Systems, Colorado Springs, CO

I began my 6-year military career in an unusual manner which creatively led to my current position as Multi-Unit General Manager and Registered Dietitian. After meeting with the Air Force recruiter and selecting a "guaranteed" job in accounting, I arrived at Lackland A.F.B. to survive basic training. Two weeks into the course, all of the airmen with "guaranteed jobs" were assembled in a room with the D.I. The D.I. yelled, "All of you are here because you were promised a guaranteed job. As of right now, those guaranteed jobs are no longer guaranteed, and remember that you cannot sue the government. You have 30 minutes to select your new job from this one sided document."

While working under this time crunch, I scanned the list and narrowed my choices to Diet Therapy Technician and on the opposite end of the spectrum, Pararescue. As I decided between the two, I looked outside to see 4 huge men running full speed while carrying a long telephone pole on their shoulders. So, I asked the D.I., "Why are they running with that telephone pole?" He replied, "Oh that is the Pararescue training that they conduct on this base." I chose to be a diet therapy technician. Actually, my fear was not that I couldn't carry my share of the weight, but rather that I would be hanging suspended from the pole since I'm not as tall as the rest of the team.

My six-year military service took me to various interesting places. Over the next few years, I enjoyed good assignments and learned from outstanding people how to provide excellent patient care. Skills, knowledge, diligence, perseverance and compassion are just a few of the qualities strengthened by my military experience that developed me into the leader I am today. I am proud to have served so many.

Chris McFadden CCM, SBCI
Military: U.S. Navy, E-3/Seaman
Sodexo: Senior Disaster Recovery Analyst, IS&T Division

Chris’ three years in the military included serving on the SSN Cheyenne 773 fast attack submarine. He was awarded the National Defense Service and Navy Pistol Shot medal/ribbon, as well as a Navy commendation for preparing the ship for commissioning. The Navy gave Chris a sense of direction and taught him the respect for others and himself that he needed to achieve his goals. This was definitely a contributing factor to being chosen for his position with Sodexo.

Dan “Coop” Cooper
Military: U.S. Navy
Sodexo: District Manager, Mid-Atlantic Region Health Care Division - Facilities Management

Coop used his GI bill to complete a Mechanical Engineering Degree at the University of Tennessee in a remarkable three years. His naval training gave him the study discipline and technical knowledge he needed to maneuver relatively easily through the engineering curriculum. Never called upon to shed blood for his beloved country, Coop is humbled often by the sacrifices of others. But without his military experience, Coop does not feel his career would have progressed to where it is today.

Kim Robinson
Military: U.S. Army
Sodexo: General Manager, Food Service, Corporate Services

Reaching the rank of E4, Kim was a Food Service Specialist in the U.S. Army for eight years. Her Desert Storm experience led to her receiving the Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medals and National Defense Service Medals, as well as the NCO Professional Development, Army Service and Overseas Service Ribbons. It was her military experience that prepared Kim for the Art Institute of Atlanta. This led her up the corporate ladder and to a lengthy career with Sodexo. In that time, Kim has appreciated the support that Sodexo gives to veterans.

Tiffany Pourner
Military: U.S. Air Force
Sodexo: Human Resources Manager, Corporate Services

Five years in the military developed this E4 Sergeant into a skilled Avionics Technician on the F-15 Eagle. Seventh-generation military and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Tiffany found that the diverse population and mobility of living in a variety of places prepared her for working in a multinational corporation. She learned adaptability and how to quickly respond to career challenges. Sodexo’s recognition of military experience, culminating recently in a wonderful Veterans Day video, is a big plus for Tiffany.

Michael Fine
General Manager of Food and Nutrition
Navy: Mess Management Specialist

I am currently the General Manager for Food and Nutrition in the Hospitals Division. I was a Mess Management Specialist, MMS in the Navy on the USS Chicago CG-11. I went to Class “C” School, Nutrition and Menu Planning and had two tours to the Western Pacific. My military experience enhanced my knowledge in the areas of diversity, management and discipline. Building one “best team” is the military way to become uniform in everything that is done, no matter what background you come from. The saying “no one is as smart as all of us” and the need for teamwork were what I was taught during my tour. This holds true today with Sodexo! Sodexo supports military individuals by acknowledging service to their country at Sodexo events. Sodexo is a company I am proud to be part of with a culture that believes in tradition and teamwork.

I joined Sodexo in 1993 after retiring from my 20-year Navy career. In the Navy, I was a Surface Warfare Officer with eight significant deployments to the Western Pacific. I worked my way up through the ranks as a chief engineer and then as an officer on five different ships. My Navy career gave me the experience that I use every day as a Director with Sodexo. Working alongside the maintenance staff enhanced my technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. A ship is really a building that floats, and that's why going into Sodexo’s hospital division was a great fit for me. Sodexo has been very supportive and always has an eye out for their veterans.

I served in the United States Navy for 3 years as a chef. During my enlistment, I was deployed three times to the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, each time for six months. I was recognized with a Captains award, combat award and many tour of duty medals. I completed my chef training through the Navy culinary school in San Diego, CA. The military prepared me for my current role with Sodexo as it taught me discipline, a good work ethic and an appreciation for life and people. Most of all, the Navy matured me. I am excited that Sodexo is recognizing veterans for their service to our country and is a company where transitioning military can come to work.

During my 20 years of service in the Army, I held jobs in Foodservice and Recruiting and was the General Manager for Hale Alii Hotel on Fort Shafter in Hawaii. I retired with the rank of E7 Sergeant First Class. The training the Army gave me in leadership and foodservice prepared me well for my current role with Sodexo. I had years of people skills, hands-on experience supervising large numbers of soldiers, and learned management skills and discipline which I use every day in my job with Sodexo. I am part of Sodexo’s Military Task Force, which is the beginning stages of the company’s newest employee network group. I like the website Sodexo has dedicated to the military, www.sodexohiresheroes.com, and am proud of the outreach to the communities across the country.

I am a General Manager of Facilities with Sodexo in the School Services Division. Prior to coming to Sodexo, I was a Senior Master Sergeant, E-8 in the Air Force. I spent 21 years with the Air Force in Aircraft Maintenance and was deployed to Kosovo in support of Operation Allied Force. I could not do what I am doing today without my Air Force experience and the leadership, technical and computer training that I received. Being put in positions of responsibility and authority have given me the confidence to be out in the civilian sector contributing in a significant manner. I appreciate Sodexo’s recognition of the value of veterans in support of our diversity efforts. There are great leaders with lots of skills coming out of the military that benefit this company.

I spent 24 years of active duty with the Army and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4), holding positions such as Brigade and Division Food Advisor and Registered Instructor and Proctor for Food Safety. I was deployed twice to Iraq and learned a strong work ethic that has carried into my civilian career. As a graduate of the NCO Basic and Advanced Academy, as well as the Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Academy, I was taught leadership, management and technical skills which definitely prepared me for my current role as a General Manager of Food Service in Sodexo Senior Services. Sodexo’s support of our veterans is excellent and getting better every day.

My current position with Sodexo is Office Manager for Physical Plant Services in Sodexo’s Education Division. Prior to Sodexo, I spent 20 years in the Navy as an Electrician’s Mate Surface Warfare with three deployments in the Persian Gulf and one to Kosovo. The military taught me invaluable skills such as time management, utilizing resources that I had available, leadership, people skills and professionalism. Sodexo’s support for veterans and the ongoing outreach have been great. The continued visibility that Sodexo is bringing to veterans' issues for the employees is a great testimony to our commitment to our people.

I started out as a cook in the Navy; I worked as a Ships Baker, a Captains Cook and Supervisor of an Officer Dining Facility afloat. College, along with all of the leadership training that I received and still receive in the Navy, helped me gain a great understanding of the food service industry. The military has taught me to be structured and how to follow protocols to get the job done. Currently, I am serving an active Reserve role in Navy Law Enforcement, in addition to my position with Sodexo. As an Area General Manager, Healthcare Division, I am able to share the leadership skills I learned while in the Navy. I work hard to be a great role model for all of my fellow workers, employees and client contacts.

In 2007, I had the honor of representing Sodexo at the ESGR Freedom Award banquet where we were recognized. As a reservist, there are times when I am away (sometimes for up to 6 weeks) from my position but with support from my fellow GMs and my District manager, I know I will come back to a well-managed facility. This year I am looking forward to serving on the Military Network committee.

I joined Sodexo in 2008 as Unit Controller with Sports and Leisure Services at the University of Texas after 4 years in the Texas Army National Guard. I have had the opportunity to serve with Task Force San Antonio helping with disaster relief in New Orleans, LA and Beaumont, TX after Hurricane Katrina and Rita. I have also served in Baghdad, Iraq at Camp Cropper in support of OIF. And, I am currently in preparation to return to Iraq for another tour.

As a 13D – Fire Direction Control for Field Artillery, I have been trained to make accurate calculations for fire missions under heavy stress. This is needless to say a total opposite of my current position with Sodexo. However, the ability to pay attention to detail during stressful situations gained as 13D has proved useful as a Unit Controller.

Sodexo has been extremely supportive of my active duty status in the military. Shortly after joining the company in July of 2008, Hurricane Ike hit Galveston and the Army National Guard was sent to assist with recovery efforts. Unfortunately, this was also the beginning of the busy football season for my account. Right away, Sodexo understood and supported my need to serve and it has been that way throughout my career here.

I proudly served in the Navy as a Lieutenant for six years. During my service time, I served on the SS Springfield as a 6F Engineering Officer. Serving during Vietnam earned me a Service Medal. My international travels in the military prepared me for my current position at Sodexo. As the VP of International Client Relations for Proctor & Gamble, I have the opportunity to experience different cultures daily. My military travels and multicultural experiences have been an asset in my current role. Sodexo is doing a good job with partnering with military not only for employees, but also with the customers we serve.

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