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APS Earns 2024 Military Friendly Employer Designation
It’s no surprise to Luci Reyes that Arizona Public Service (APS) has been named a 2024 Military Friendly® Employer. With the support she’s received first as an intern and now as an employee, Luci believes the company values service members and their talents.
Luci is a construction and maintenance planner associate based in Surprise. Planner associates serve as a liaison with customers and coordinate resources for construction and maintenance projects. She came to APS directly from the United States Marine Corps, where she spent nine years as a logistics specialist. In fact, Luci spent time with APS before she even left active duty.
“I spent the last five months of my active-duty service in the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program,” said Luci. “I then transitioned to a full-time position immediately after my time in the service ended. Being a part of this program was a huge help in my transition, because it allowed me to get familiar with where my experience translates outside of the service.”
The Military Friendly® Employer designation goes to organizations that recruit, hire and train veterans and invest in comprehensive and impactful initiatives that benefit service members. Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
“We salute these exemplary employers who raise the bar and understand that hiring military personnel is not merely an act of goodwill but a testament to a standard that truly embodies sound business wisdom,” said Military Friendly® Senior Director of Military Partnerships Kayla Lopez. “Their steadfast commitment to integrating military personnel into their workforce not only reflects their compassion but also underscores their business acumen."
“We’re honored to have received this designation,” said APS CEO Jeff Guldner, a U.S. Navy veteran. “It is reflective of the collective efforts across the organization to create programs and pathways to support servicemembers’ transition into rewarding energy industry careers.”
Veterans make up more than 15% of the APS workforce overall, and at Palo Verde Generating Station, that number is 30% and they are valued contributors. In addition to their day-to-day success, they learn from fellow veterans. The Veteran Engagement Transition Retention Network (VETRN) is an APS employee network group that creates networking and development opportunities for members.
Luci has no doubt the skills she developed while serving as a Marine have helped her at APS.
“As a logistics specialist I planned many deployments which included budget management, coordinating with contractors, material procurement, shipping and then executing the plan. This skill of logistical planning was a great steppingstone to my current position as a planner associate. I must be able to set up a job with material, contractor support and documentation to ensure the crew can go out and do its job successfully. I have been able to learn these processes and instill my own organizational techniques from my previous experience.”
Veterans work in business units all over the company and the unique perspective gained from their military experience can make a big impact.
“This military talent brings the ability to adapt and overcome various situations,” said Luci. “Once a service member understands the mission, they are able to carry out the required tasks to ensure it is accomplished in an organized manner with minimal oversight. Those employees bring their military experience to complete assignments and benefit APS as a whole.”
APS serves approximately 1.4 million homes and businesses in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties, and is a leader in delivering affordable, clean and reliable energy in the Southwest. The company is committed to serving customers with 100% clean power by 2050. As owner and operator of Palo Verde Generating Station, the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free electricity, and with one of the country’s most substantial renewable energy portfolios, APS’s current energy mix is 51% clean. With headquarters in Phoenix, APS is the principal subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE: PNW).
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