OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – The Oklahoma City Council gave special recognition to 10 companies that have excelled in supporting initiatives that benefit Oklahoma veterans.
OKC City Council, Community Service Council (CSC) and CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Alliance recognized the following 10 companies for being Veteran Employer Champions:
- Arvest Bank
- BOK Financial
- Cox Communications
- Harrison Energy Partners
- Lowe’s Home Improvement
- Oklahoma Employment Security Commission – Veteran Services
- Oklahoma Veterans United
- ONE Gas
- ONEOK, Inc.
- Volunteers of America
“Oklahoma City is a community that supports veterans, and OKC is a destination for veterans. As such, it’s vital that there are robust employment opportunities,” Mayor David Holt said. “We honor and recognize the organizations within our city that are dedicated to creating a supportive workplace for our veterans. Their commitment ensures those who served our country feel valued and empowered in OKC.”
The 10 companies are part of the Veteran Employer Network, which was established to unite employers in a common goal: recruiting, hiring and developing veterans in the workforce, according to City of Oklahoma City officials.
Employers can become a Veteran Employer Network Champion by completing a required survey and fulfilling the following seven benchmarks:
- Veteran recruitment, hiring and retention;
- Active Veteran engagement with onboarding, Veteran Employee Resource Group or buddy program;
- Support for Veteran community programs and events;
- Veteran-specific resources and support for employees;
- Executive sponsor leading Veteran strategies;
- Provide support for Guard and Reserve beyond Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA); and,
- Create opportunities for Veterans/Military Members to show their pride.
Fifty surveys covered 32 industries across 11 cities and represented over 26,243 employees in Oklahoma in 2024.
The City of Oklahoma City, Community Service Council, DR Consulting and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance produced the survey.
“We are so proud to have Mayor Holt and the City of Oklahoma City recognize the nine employers in the Oklahoma City region that earned the 2024 Veteran Employer Champion status,” CEO of Oklahoma Veterans United Rachel Runfola said. “All of these employers have demonstrated their commitment to making their organizations Veteran Ready They have created a culture where Veteran staff and their families can thrive. It’s an honor to join with Mayor Holt and his team in celebrating these employers.”
Individuals, companies or organizations interested in joining the Veteran Employer Champion Network can contact Mark Morgan, Executive Community Liaison for CSC’s Oklahoma Veteran Connections and Oklahoma Veteran Alliance, at mmorgan@csctulsa.org.
