Written by Lee Kirby, Co-Founder & Chairman of Salute Mission Critical
A wise person once said that most people over estimate what they can accomplish in one year and under estimate what they can accomplish in five years. As we celebrate our fifth year of being in business, I can say without a doubt that this is true for Salute. In just five years, we have gone from a handful of people to over 200 staff in 6 countries. We have introduced over 500 veterans to the industry and seen the lives of veterans and their families transformed by finding employment that turns into a career in a growing industry. The most dramatic personal impact has been to our once homeless veterans who we hired and gave them the opportunity to become more than self-sufficient as they enter the work force and prove their worth. I am very proud of the team of dedicated leaders at Salute and honored just to be associated with them. I also thankful beyond words for the support of friends and clients in the industry as they gave us the chance to prove ourselves and we did.
Any great accomplishment is the result of many and not just one. As we continue to grow and transform each year, I would like to recognize those veterans outside of Salute who have helped us and who serve as an example of success that all veterans entering the industry can aspire to.
Beginning the first of February, I am implementing the Salute Veterans’ Council. The council will be composed of veterans who have diverse and distinguished data center experience. I have relied, and will continue to rely, on candid feedback from multiple perspectives and value the diversity of their backgrounds as they represent every branch of the military. In addition to the council I am establishing Salute Veterans’ Community to recognize the veterans who have supported us with references and opportunities and have served as mentors and coaches to veterans as they are introduced to the industry. The key to this initiative is to recognize veterans in the industry so that the veterans just starting can see the multiple paths to success.
There are many paths to take in this industry and all result from a multitude of factors with individual competencies and desires being the main driver. We want to provide the opportunities to veterans so that they can choose their own path and continuously grow to reach their goals. This is a small industry and a community such as this can do a lot for each other to help sustain the momentum of what has been started. I am looking forward to seeing how this community grows and evolves over time. Happy anniversary Salute!