Transforming the Lives and Homes of Veterans
By Brian Sodoma, for Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing
American veterans make the ultimate sacrifice by serving their country, yet their service often goes unrecognized when they return to civilian life.
An estimated 250,000 service members leave the military each year, and many struggle to navigate life beyond the U.S. Armed Forces, from finding jobs to supporting their families and dealing with mental health issues. That’s why Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing supports programs dedicated to serving veterans transitioning military members and their spouses.
“Since our founding in 1996, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing has been committed to serving veterans and military families,” said Dave Moody, chief executive officer at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. “We are proud to have veterans from all five branches of the military on our team and continue to seek additional team members through programs like Hiring Our Heroes. For homeowners who are veterans, we offer a military discount and participate in programs like ‘Military Makeover’ to surprise and delight deserving veterans and their families.”
Unlike other home improvement shows, Military Makeover with Montel® is dedicated solely to honoring veterans and their families by transforming their homes and lives. Each renovation is customized to meet their unique needs and challenges. Hosted by well-known talk show host Montel Williams, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran himself, the show airs on Lifetime and the American Forces Network.
In the latest season, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing stepped in to help the Mahaley family in Mooresville, North Carolina. Melissa Mahaley joined the U.S. Marine Corps at 18, and her husband, Benjamin, enlisted in 2005 at the age of 23. During his service, Benjamin was awarded the USMC Good Conduct Medal and the Iraq Campaign Medal.
Both Melissa and Benjamin served in war zones and carry the effects of those experiences with them. While adjusting to civilian life, Melissa pursued a career in nursing, all while needing hip surgery and battling depression. Benjamin also faced similar post-war ups and downs but found a new path as a firefighter. Now with five children, their home needed major upgrades.
As part of “Military Makeover,” Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing pitched in, enlisting help from its corporate partners. First, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing replaced two HVAC units — one more than 20 years old — with modern, state-of-the-art Lennox systems that were donated by the manufacturer. The new units feature electrostatic filters and UV sanitizers, donated by Dynamic Air Filters, to improve air quality by killing bacteria, viruses and germs in the ductwork.
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing also arranged for a Lancaster water softener and acid neutralizer, donated by Ferguson Enterprises, and a Rinnai tankless water heater from RE Michel Company.
Finally, the Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing crew installed a Connected Home System donated by Building36. The system allows the Mahaleys to control HVAC settings through a single mobile app and includes a video doorbell, smart door locks and outdoor security cameras, among other features.
“We were honored to help the Mahaley family and appreciate the support we received from so many of our industry partners,” said Moody. “We wanted to deliver total home comfort to this family for many years to come, something they certainly deserve.”
Helping Veterans Pursue New Career Paths
Hiring Our Heroes (HOH), run by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a nationwide initiative to support veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses in their search for meaningful careers.
HOH partners with more than 400 major corporations and government entities around the country, including Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, to help military service members learn new career skills, network and access job placement opportunities. One of the key features of HOH is its corporate fellowship program, which places transitioning military personnel in 12-week positions at partner companies, where they receive on-the-job training. Uniquely, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing covers all training costs for HOH candidates, allowing them to participate without using their tuition assistance or GI Bill.
After the 12-week program, companies have the option to offer employment. Since 2015, HOH has placed more than 8,000 service members in its corporate fellowship program, which boasts a nearly 99% completion rate and an 87% job offer rate.
HOH also hosts career summits and hiring events for veterans, transitioning military members and their spouses. At these events, they can improve their job-seeking skills and network with employers like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. The program also includes the Military Spouse Professional Network (MSPN), which provides career development and networking opportunities for military spouses.
As an active HOH partner, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing engages in the fellowship program, attends career events and seeks qualified employment candidates through this initiative. They look forward to welcoming the next group of HOH fellows in winter 2025.
“This is a valuable partnership for us. Many of the skills learned in the military apply to certain available positions we have,” said Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing Talent Acquisition Military Project Lead Jeremy Dornbusch. “Through HOH, we have hired technicians in the field, general managers and associate general managers. Our business is built on the idea of serving others, and veterans and those with military experience train quickly and fit right in with our company culture.”
Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing values our military community and proudly offers a 10% discount on any product or service to eligible active military personnel and veterans, excluding memberships and other offers. To learn more about this and how Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing serves communities around the country, visit serviceexperts.com/about-us/community-involvement..
