Established in 2011, Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) is an organization dedicated to facilitating connections between the military community and American businesses. Their mission is to create opportunities for our service members while building a robust, diversified workforce. They work closely with the US Chamber of Commerce’s extensive network of state and local chambers and partner with various public, private and nonprofit organizations to create meaningful employment opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.

HOH hosts more than 50 hiring events annually that are available both in-person and virtually. These events take place in every state across the US, as well as on military bases located in Germany, Italy, Japan, and Puerto Rico. More than half a million veterans and military spouses have found employment through these events and programs.

In 2021, Clune became part of the HOH program with the goal of exploring new approaches to enhance our workforce diversity, foster inclusivity and seek out well-qualified candidates from non-traditional sources. Veterans bring a set of transferable skills honed through their military service, encompassing leadership, project management, and communication abilities. Many of the candidates we interview for these roles align closely with our core values, a key factor we consider of utmost significance.

After researching organizations that could help bridge this gap, HOH emerged as an ideal solution. This initiative leverages the unique experiences and dedication of the country’s veterans. This enhances workplace culture and contributes to a more dynamic and adaptable team. Clune initially piloted the HOH program in the Dallas and Los Angeles offices. The program has since expanded its presence, and we now participate in career fairs nationwide. Our Talent Acquisition team attends at least one career event per quarter, so Clune can grow our presence in the HOH program, with the goal to continue inviting participants to join our growing team.

Clune’s partnership with HOH involves participants joining Clune as fellows for the final 12 weeks of their service. They work on a Clune jobsite Monday through Thursday and return to base on Fridays to report their experience and what they learned. At the conclusion of their fellowship, the employee’s performance is assessed by their team, which could potentially result in an offer for a full-time position.

Our efforts within this program have yielded positive results with the recruitment of three current employees – YoungTae Seo, John Olvera and Nick Welch.

John Olvera, an Assistant Superintendent in Clune’s Dallas office, started at Clune in 2022 and was our first HOH full-time hire. Olvera served in the US Army for over two decades. During his transition back to civilian life, he was involved in a Career SkillBridge Program which gives service members the opportunity to work and learn in civilian career fields, where he was then connected with HOH. For Olvera, the world of construction closely resembled his military service. The fundamental principles remained the same: managing personnel to get the mission – or in this case, the project, completed in a safe and timely manner. In utilizing these previous skills, his passion for construction has amplified since being in the field.

Nick Welch, an Assistant Superintendent in Clune’s Dallas office, began his journey in early 2023. He served in the US Army for five years prior to joining Clune. When he began his transition from the military, he learned about HOH through the Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program, an organization that engages and connects US Army members with organizations that provide information and training to prepare them civilian life. Serving as an engineer in the Army, Welch was fascinated by the world of construction. The hands-on, creative and problem-solving aspects of the field drew him to the field. His time in the Army provided him with a solid foundation of knowledge that he is able to apply to his everyday tasks at Clune.

YoungTae Seo, a fellow in Clune’s Los Angeles office, was a part of the most recent HOH cohort. Seo served as a paratrooper in the US Army stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, for four years. As his military experience came to a close, Seo considered his past experiences in logistics and supply management when he crossed paths with HOH. Seo was intrigued by the construction field because, to him, it wasn’t just a job; it was an opportunity to create something new. To him, idea of being part of a process that brings new structures to life is exciting and rewarding.

Andrew Malkemus, an Assistant Project Manager in Clune’s Dallas office, started his career in construction in early 2024. Malkemus served in the U.S. Army Special Forces for eight years before joining Clune. As his service time was ending, Malkemus knew that in the future, he wanted to be part of a successful, fast-paced team, where he could visibly see the progress and accomplishments that are made. When a former colleague referred him to HOH, he knew it was the perfect choice to help make that a reality. Malkemus has been able to draw on his skills from the military and help elevate his team at Clune.

Maria Santana De Leon, a Senior Project Engineer in Clune’s New York office, began her journey in construction in 2024. Prior to Clune, she dedicated 15 years to serving in the U.S. Army. Santana De Leon was introduced to HOH through her partner, who taught classes for transitioning service members. With a desire to leverage her project management and logistics experience, she decided to explore the opportunity. The dynamic nature of the construction industry captivated her, and she finds it immensely rewarding to witness a site transform before her eyes.

Jose Gutierrez, an Assistant Project Manager in Clune’s Los Angeles office, began his career in construction in 2024. Gutierrez devoted 24 years to the U.S. Marine Corps. During his service, Gutierrez oversaw the reconstruction of several city blocks in Iraq. This experience, along with the teamwork involved, drew him into the construction industry.  He learned about HOH after completing the Transition Readiness Seminar. The program piqued his interest because he wanted to utilize resources that would help him effectively convey his transferable Infantry Marine skills.

Clune is looking forward to further collaboration with HOH and envisions an ongoing expansion into various departments within the company. As we continue to grow and secure additional projects near our satellite office in Tampa and its neighboring regions, and eventually all of our office locations, we eagerly anticipate actively recruiting a large number of candidates through this partnership.