ADVISORY: YesVets hiring initiative spotlights local veteran-owned business, celebrates more than 3,800 vets hired
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Media contacts:
Janelle Guthrie, communications director, ESD, 360-902-9289
Heidi Audette, communications director, DVA, 360-725-2154
OLYMPIA – Matt Griffin, Chief Executive Officer of Combat Flip Flops, will join leaders from the state departments of Employment Security (ESD) and Veterans Affairs (DVA) as well as key legislators, human resource professionals and businesses to celebrate the fourth anniversary of YesVets – a statewide initiative to recognize businesses that hire veterans.
What: YesVets Recognition Ceremony honoring local businesses
When: 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9
Where: State Reception Room, Washington State Capital, 416 Sid Snyder Ave SW Olympia, WA 98504
Who:
- Griffin will share the vision behind Combat Flip Flops and the advantages of engaging veterans in the workplace.
- ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine and WDVA Director Alfie Alvarado-Ramos will recognize local businesses that have hired veterans, share the YesVets story and discuss plans for the future.
Combat Flip Flops
Inspired by the positive impact created by entrepreneurs in conflict areas, Griffin, an Army Ranger, conceptualized the idea of Combat Flip Flops in 2009 and led a team to create an internationally recognized brand with products manufactured in five nations. Profits from Combat Flip Flops have funded schooling for over 600 Afghan girls and the clearance of over 10,000 square meters of landmines in Laos. Learn more
YesVets
YesVets is a veteran hiring campaign, created by the Legislature in 2015 and supported by ESD, DVA, WorkSource, the Washington State Military Transition Council, SHRM and local chambers of commerce.
ESD Veterans Program staff recognize Washington employers with a YesVets business decal when they sign up and hire a veteran. They usually receive their decals at a local chamber of commerce meeting or at their place of business. They also are featured on social media with the #YesVets hashtag. Businesses may receive a new decal each year they participate in the program.
Since the state launched the initiative in 2015, 969 businesses have joined YesVets and hired 3,876 veterans.
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Follow YesVets on social media:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/YesVets | Facebook: www.facebook.com/YesVets