“I fell in love with Spectrum during the recruitment process,” said Veillon. “Spectrum really did their homework and they listened. They truly understand what veterans bring to the table. From my initial interview and throughout my day-to-day work, company leaders have sought my advice and implemented many of my recommendations.”

Veillon is part of the Customer Operations team, which helps to keep Spectrum’s residential and business customers connected. This team, a sizable segment of the company’s more than 93,000 employees, plays a key role in Spectrum’s success, because – at its core – Spectrum is a customer-first company.

This group is led by Cliff Hagan, a Navy veteran, graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and Executive Vice President of Customer Operations. As a member of Charter’s senior leadership team, Hagan helps set the tone for the company’s customer-service approach, drawing on his military background to let leaders lead.

“Customer Operations is a mission-driven business,” Hagan said. “Our mission is to create the best customer experience possible for every one of our 32 million customers. To do this, we recruit and promote leaders, and veterans tend to be strong leaders who can envision and execute a plan that advances our customer centric strategy.”

Hagan has helped establish a culture at Spectrum where veterans’ experiences are appreciated and recognized, where veterans have the opportunity to fully leverage their leadership and mission-oriented focus to build a long and successful career. Spectrum’s workforce is nine percent veterans across all levels of the company, from frontline field technicians to senior management.

“Spectrum has a long-term commitment to recruit and hire veterans,” said Deana Zimmerman, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition. “In our Customer Operations unit, we have found veterans are ideally suited for professional roles that leverage their people and problem-solving skills, including in human resources, recruiting, project management and business analytics.”

The Spectrum Military Recruiting team pursues a number of avenues to recruit veterans, including engagement with military spouses, and partnerships with organizations like Hiring our Heroes, FourBlock and Vets 2 Industry.

Spectrum’s commitment to veterans extends beyond the recruiting phase: the company gains the most value from its veteran team members by supporting, empowering and promoting them.

Hagan is the executive sponsor of Spectrum’s Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG), which offers mentorship, professional development and camaraderie, and also business support. The group enjoys robust participation from reservists, those recently separated from the military, longtime veterans and others in the military community.

“I love the Veterans BRG and the other support Spectrum provides,” said Zaki’ya Black, Customer Operations Manager and a 15-year Army Reserve veteran. “Like the military, Spectrum gives you what you need to succeed, and then trusts and encourages you to jump in and get the job done.”

Stefan Bryant, Vice President of Business Integration, has experienced the potential for exponential career growth for veterans. Bryant, who served in the Army National Guard for eight years and previously recruited for Spectrum with Hiring our Heroes, began his career with Spectrum as a Senior Manager and is now a Vice President managing a team tasked with implementing business critical systems.

“My military training taught me how to engage and motivate a wide variety of people, and how to be resilient,” Bryant said. “This contributed to my success and promotions here.”

Spectrum’s approach to veterans is grounded in an understanding of the many benefits veterans bring to the corporate world. The company has established a culture where veterans and their service experiences are valued and where veteran voices are included in making decisions.

Customer Operations formed a Veteran Advisement Committee to bring veteran perspectives front and center. The Committee consists of leaders from multiple departments, including employees who are veterans of all military branches. The group meets monthly to consult on and advance initiatives designed to attract, retain and engage veterans.

“Veterans come with a commitment like no other,” said Veillon, who has a leadership role on the Veterans Advisement Committee. “A veteran wants their employer to reciprocate that commitment and support. Spectrum has created this type of culture.”

Veterans interested in working at Spectrum are encouraged to visit its veteran recruiting website or follow the company on LinkedIn or Facebook.

The qualities developed during military service – leadership, teamwork, trustworthiness and respect – can translate to a thriving career in the private sector. These are the same qualities that Spectrum, powered by Charter Communications, looks for in its own team members and it’s why the Fortune 100 broadband connectivity company and cable operator has a robust commitment to recruiting veterans and helping them build meaningful careers.

Spectrum employs 96,000 people across 41 states and multiple lines of business, with roles varying from field technicians and sales to network operations and marketing. Nine percent of its employees are veterans, representing different branches of service.

Thien Nguyen, who joined Spectrum in 2016 while still serving in the National Guard, has steadily been promoted over the years from operations technician to a network engineer. In this role, he serves as part of the last line of defense in ensuring that Spectrum’s commercial network runs smoothly in Texas. He values the company’s military-friendly culture, as well as its investment in employees’ professional growth.

“There are all kinds of benefits,” said Nguyen. “When I was called to complete Guard duties, Spectrum gave me the time I needed and paid the difference between my Guard and Spectrum jobs.”

Marine Corps veteran Scott Wiedeman, based in Davison, Michigan, landed a job at Spectrum as residential broadband installer after completing his service and a degree in computer science. He was promoted to commercial installer after just 18 months, and was recently promoted again. Across every team he’s worked with, he’s been struck by how supportive his colleagues and supervisors have been.

“They were friendly and welcoming. A lot of people I work with are veterans too – one served 27 years in the Reserves and another is Navy. It’s like being around family,” said Wiedeman.

Nguyen and Wiedeman have also taken advantage of the development opportunities that Spectrum offers, such as training and education reimbursement, which have enabled them to gain new certifications and advance.

Army veteran Suzanne Carter joined Spectrum in 2016 and currently serves as Director for Customer Service Operations in Charlotte, North Carolina. Coming from the military, she appreciated the clear workforce processes she was employed to help implement, and felt right at home.

To help ease the transition from military to civilian workplaces, Spectrum provides support for employees at multiple levels. The company’s Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG) also aids the company’s business success while offering professional development opportunities.

Carter is an active member of both the Spectrum Veterans BRG and the veterans recruitment committee within her business unit. “We’re focused on attracting more veterans into senior roles and helping early career veteran employees feel supported and encouraged to grow,” said Carter, who has benefited from mentorship in reaching her current role and now proudly serves as a mentor to other veterans.

To attract more employees like Carter, Nguyen and Wiedeman, Spectrum leverages different ways to connect with veterans and support them through recruiting and hiring. This includes partnerships with veterans organizations, dedicated recruiting programs and a specialized Military Attraction Team that engages directly with the military community both before and during the application process.

Charter’s Broadband Field Technician Apprenticeship Program provides a national Department of Labor certification for Field Technicians and while enrolled, qualified veterans can secure VA benefits in addition to their paychecks.

“Take a chance and apply,” advised Carter. “The opportunities at Charter are endless.”

You can learn more about Charter’s military community and career opportunities at jobs.spectrum.com/veterans