Disney and USAA Offer ‘Veterans Institute’ Workshop in San Antonio to Encourage Hiring of Military Veterans
July 24 2014 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
Building on the success of its ‘Heroes Work
Here’ initiative to hire, train and support military veterans,
Disney teams with USAA to help Texas-based companies build their
own veteran-hiring programs.
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and USAA will bring Disney’s
Veterans Institute to San Antonio on Aug. 19, with a daylong
seminar designed to inspire companies in the region to build their
own veteran hiring programs.
Presented by USAA, a leading financial services provider for the
military community, the San Antonio event builds on the success of
Disney’s inaugural Veterans Institute last November at Walt Disney
World Resort, which attracted more than 500 participants and
dignitaries, including First Lady Michelle Obama and Disney
Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger. Attendees will hear from experts
from Disney’s Heroes Work Here initiative which hires, trains and
supports former service members—along with government officials,
veterans and nonprofit veterans service organizations who will
share their experiences, best practices and tips for making a
successful transition from the military to the civilian workforce.
This is the first of several anticipated regional Veterans
Institutes that Disney hopes to bring to select cities around the
nation.
“Disney is extremely proud of the dedicated veterans who work
here and we’re pleased to expand the reach of our Veterans
Institute with USAA to help create career opportunities for even
more of America’s servicemen and women,” Mr. Iger said. “We’re
always eager to share what we’ve learned from our successful Heroes
Work Here program with other companies looking to hire highly
qualified veterans.”
In addition to serving the military community’s financial needs,
USAA is also a leader in veteran and military spouse hiring. Named
the Victory Media No. 1 Military Friendly Employer® for 2013 and
2014, and the No. 1 Military Times Best for Vets: Employer
2012-2014, USAA hired 1,414 veterans and military spouses in 2013,
nearly 31 percent of all of the organization’s new hires.
“We have hired more than 8,700 veterans and military spouses
from 2006 through June 2014. They have brought valuable skills and
experience, mission focus and a deep dedication to serve,” said
retired Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles Jr., USAA’s CEO. “The Department
of Veterans Affairs lists Texas as one of three states that are the
most densely populated with veterans. With the potential to help so
many companies hire veterans, we’re proud to join the Veterans
Institute in sharing our experience in recruiting, hiring and
developing veterans with companies across Texas.”
Veterans Institute is the latest effort in Disney’s long history
of respect and appreciation for the U.S. armed services, and it
leverages the success of Heroes Work Here, which Disney launched in
2012 with a commitment to hire more than 1,000 veterans by 2015—a
goal the company has already surpassed, with more than 3,800 former
service members hired.
Highlights of the San Antonio Veterans Institute workshop will
include an inside look at Disney and USAA best practices; renowned
keynote speakers, panelists, advice and insights from experts and
elite veterans support organizations; stories from veterans about
their own transition to the civilian workforce; and a presentation
by Disney Institute, the professional development arm of The Walt
Disney Company. Featured speakers and presenters will include Mr.
Robles, ABC News anchor Bob Woodruff, and James Schmeling,
co-founder of the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at
Syracuse University.
About Disney’s Heroes Work Here
Supporting the U.S. Armed Forces has long been a Disney
tradition, and Disney’s Heroes Work Here continues that proud
legacy with a companywide initiative to hire, train and support
military veterans. Disney introduced the program in March 2012 with
a commitment to hire at least 1,000 veterans by 2015. Having
exceeded that goal in the first year alone, with 1,300 veterans
hired, the company announced in March 2013 that it would create
opportunities for another 1,000 former service members over the
next two years. To date, Disney has hired more than 3,800 veterans
through Heroes Work Here.
Disney’s Heroes Work Here initiative also features a public
awareness campaign to encourage employers across the U.S. to hire
former military service members. The campaign includes the free
Veterans Institute workshops, as well as public service
announcements highlighting the skills and experience of veterans
who work at Disney. The PSAs direct viewers to the White House’s
Joining Forces initiative (www.joiningforces.gov) and have aired
across Disney’s media properties including ESPN, ABC and ABC
Family, making more than 500 million impressions.
The third component of Disney’s Heroes Work Here initiative is
philanthropy. Disney’s philanthropic support of veteran and
military organizations has exceeded $1 million since the launch of
Heroes Work Here, and through the Disney VoluntEARS program,
employees have engaged in several service projects with veterans
organizations in communities around the country.
About USAA
USAA provides insurance, banking, investments, retirement
products and advice to 10.4 million current and former members of
the U.S. military and their families. Known for its legendary
commitment to its members, USAA is consistently recognized for
outstanding service, employee well-being and financial strength.
USAA membership is open to all who are serving our nation in the
U.S. military or have received an honorable discharge – and their
eligible family members. Founded in 1922, USAA is headquartered in
San Antonio. For more information about USAA, follow us on Facebook
or Twitter (@USAA), or visit usaa.com.
About Disney Institute
Disney Institute is the external business development and
training arm of The Walt Disney Company that is focused on
exporting Disney business insights in the areas of leadership,
culture, service and more. For more than two decades, Disney
Institute has helped organizations around the world drive
sustainable business results through organizational
transformations. Unique to Disney Institute is the opportunity to
engage experienced Disney professionals and observe key examples
from a “living laboratory,” taking organizations behind the scenes
to explore firsthand how Disney business insights and time-tested
methodologies are operationalized. To learn more,
visit disneyinstitute.com or call 321-939-4600.
To participate in the conversation regarding the Disney Veterans
Institute, please use the hashtag #DisneyVeteransInstitute.
Disney Corporate CommunicationsDavid Jefferson,
818-560-4832orUSAA Public RelationsPete Casiano, 210-237-8323
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