Sundt is a proud employer of our nation’s military veterans and their spouses, and we value our partnerships with veteran-owned businesses. For the third year in a row, we have earned the Military Friendly Employer designation by VIQTORY Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse magazines. This week, in honor of Veterans Day, we asked a few of our employee-owners to reflect on their service. Here’s what they shared.
Cesar Garcia, Field Coordinator, Industrial Group
What branch did you serve in and when? U.S. Army, 2003-2009, 101st Airborne Division.
What was your proudest moment or accomplishment in the service? Making it home alive after losing a limb, serving our beautiful nation, and fighting alongside brothers. Three Purple Hearts: it’s the award everyone loves and no one wants to get. Also: air assault, airborne, ranger tabbed, rappel master, expert infantryman, and combat infantryman.
Jared Wagoner, Project Controls Manager, Industrial Group
What branch did you serve in and when? Army National Guard, 2005-2015. I deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 as a company commander for a Route Clearance Company.
What was your proudest moment or accomplishment in the service? I was proud every single time we finished a mission and everyone made it back safe. Not a single mission was routine, and the soldiers I had the pleasure of leading were consummate professionals.
Curtis Smith, Project Controls Manager, Building Group, Southwest District
What branch did you serve in and when? Army National Guard, 2002-present. I am currently serving as the Platoon Sergeant of 3rd Platoon, 258th Engineer Company.
What was your proudest moment or accomplishment in the service? I cannot sum this up into one event, so here are three:
- I deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005. During this tour of duty, two amazing things happened to me: a) I met my wife Danielle whom I’ve now been married to for 14 years and have been blessed with two amazing children, and b) my company, the 258th Engineers, completed 80 miles of asphalt paved road that was used as a main supply route for the military and for the local populace. We were able to accomplish this due to the efforts of all by working with the local Iraqis who produced and placed all of the asphalt.
- I deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 2012 to 2013. During this tour of duty, I was the squad leader to 10 amazing soldiers and with their support completed over 20 combat engineer missions to support the Army and the Afghan National Army.
- In January 2018, I was awarded the prestigious Engineer Regiment De Fleury Medal (Steel). I was one of two individuals selected from a battalion of approximately 500 soldiers. The “Steel” level De Fleury Medal is presented to an individual whose service assured mobility, enhanced protection, enabled expeditionary logistics, and built capacity to give commanders the freedom of action needed to win full spectrum operations in an era of persistent conflict.
Thank you to these employee-owners and our other veterans for their service to our country!