In honor of National Military Appreciation Month in May, Vanquish Worldwide recognizes our family members actively in the military

Though Memorial Day has already come and gone and Independence Day is just around the corner, those of us at Vanquish Worldwide believe we should support our service men and women, both active and retired, not only on holidays celebrating our military and nation but all year round.

With many veteran employees and with contracts supporting the military, Department of Defense, Army and other governmental agencies, we at Vanquish, a service disabled veteran owned small business, believe in the true meaning of Memorial Day and honoring our military and nation.

Vanquish President and CEO Eric W. Barton, a former U.S. Marine Corps captain, called the recent Memorial Day holiday not only a true welcoming to summer but also a day meant to honor and remember our fallen comrades of the United States military, along with appreciation for their selflessness and sacrifice in protecting the land of the free and ensuring that it remains that way.

“Each and every American owes a great debt to the courageous men and women who have given their lives to protect our way of life,” Barton said. “While giving back to the extent they deserve is impossible, today, we merely attempt our repayment in the form of remembrance.”

“I want to say thank you to all service members, veterans and their families for their contributions and service to the United States of America,” he added.

Vanquish Worldwide strives to hire veterans, particularly those who have transportation, logistics and/or security experience during their military service that would directly benefit service lines at Vanquish Worldwide. Close to 90 percent of all Vanquish’s project management staff are veterans and/or retired from the U.S. military, along with countless family members of Vanquish employees who have served or are currently active in the military.

In honor of National Military Appreciation Month in May, we would like to take a moment to recognize family members of our employees who are currently serving in the military:

 

Austin N. Love – son of Vanquish Worldwide’s Chief Financial Officer Anna Love. 

 Austin is serving as a U.S. Air Force Airman First Class stationed at the Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany and is currently deployed to Qatar. He graduated from Lenoir City High School and joined the Air Force in January 2014 with the influence of his family, particularly his grandfather Mike Love, who spent 26 years in the Air Force.

“Austin has always been a leader,” Anna said. His deployment work schedule keeps him busy with 12-hour shifts, six days a week in addition to working towards his business degree. Austin also volunteers his time at the American School of Doha, his base’s chapel, the Special Olympics as well as participating in a 5K run and other events.

“I am so proud to be the mother of such a fine young man. The mere thought of him brings tears to my eyes,” Anna added. “I miss him dearly every day. We can’t wait for his scheduled home leave in August … just in time for his 21^st birthday.”

 

Jessica Zuleger – daughter of Amy Collins, Cost Analyst at Vanquish Worldwide.                    

Jessica is currently in military training with just over one year of service in the U.S. Navy under her belt and is stationed in Dahlgren, Va., as a Fire Control Seaman.

Jessica, known by her family as “Jessi,” comes from a long list of family members who have served in the military, including her mother, father, uncles, aunts, grandfathers and a great-grandfather, to name a few. Her family members have served in the Army, Air Force and the Marines, but Jessi is the first in the family to join the Navy. While Jessi has not yet begun work at her first duty station yet, her mother said she could not be more proud of her daughter.

“As her mother, being a veteran myself who was instilled at a young age with a sense of patriotism and duty to our nation, I could not be more proud of her decision to serve our country,” Amy said.

“Her enlistment is for six years, and whether she decides to pursue the military as a career (20 years) or get out after her initial term, I know that the experience will change her in ways that no other experience can,” she added.

 

Michelle Hernandez – daughter of Mike Brantley, Lead Instructor with Peak Technical Institute’s UXO Global program.

Peak is a Vanquish Worldwide sister company.

Michelle is currently serving as a fourth class specialist with the U.S. Army and is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Michelle comes from a family dedicated to military service.

Her father Mike Brantley is a retired Army officer, having served 28 years, and is a graduate of many military schools, including U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal. Brantley is also a certified Army instructor and small group facilitator and has taught at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School.

 

 

Nikki Brantley – wife of Mike Brantley, Lead Instructor with Peak Technical Institute’s UXO Global program.

Nikki is a Major with the U.S. Army and is stationed in Camp Hovey in South Korea.

 

 

 

 

 

Will Guiney – son of Greg Guiney, who serves as Vice President of Business Development at Vanquish Worldwide.

Will, a first lieutenant with the U.S. Army, is stationed as an Ordinance Officer at Fort Campbell in Kentucky assigned to the 159^th Combat Aviation Brigade. Will followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Army and is a 2013 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.

Will enjoys all types of music, comedy and horror films, swimming and spending off duty time with family and friends. Like other family members of Vanquish employees, Will and brother, Greg Guiney Jr., who is also in the military, come from a family dedicated to service in the military.

Prior to joining Vanquish, Greg Guiney a retired as a 21-year veteran of the United States Army and served in various positions, including Battalion Commander and a Combined Arms and Services Staff School instructor.

 

Greg Guiney Jr. – son of Greg Guiney, who serves as Vice President of Business Development at Vanquish Worldwide.

A first lieutenant with the U.S. Air Force, Greg Guiney Jr., is a C-17 pilot stationed at Charleston Air Force Base in Charleston, S.C.

“Greg knew since he was in elementary school that he wanted to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and be an Air Force pilot,” Greg Guiney said.

His son is a 2011 graduate of the Air Force Academy and was recently promoted to the position of captain. Greg Guiney Jr. enjoys traveling, soccer, all outdoor activities and time with his family and friends.

 

Christian Holmes – son of Daraul Holmes, Load Planner and Dispatcher with Vanquish Worldwide.

Christian is a Master at Arms and works in security with the U.S. Navy. He is currently stationed in Naples, Italy.

In his senior year of high school, Christian decided that joining the Navy would be a great fit for his future endeavors, giving him ample time to find his true passion in his career life.

“He has interest in police work and would like it to be at the state or federal level, so this also would be a good head start on that career if he still desires once done with the Navy,” Daraul said.

“I have raised my three kids since they were (ages) five, three and one. Christian being the youngest,” Daraul added. “When I found out that he had decided to go and protect the freedoms that this country enjoys, it excited me and scared me at the same time. This was my baby…becoming a man!”

 

Chris Alexander – son-in-law of Jenny Poole, Human Resources Assistant with Vanquish Worldwide.

Chris is a First Class Petty Officer with the U.S. Coast Guard and is currently stationed in Norfolk, Va. Following his love for water and boating, Chris has been in the Coast Guard for 12 years and has completed two sea tours. He has also earned a first class Electronic Technician certificate.

“Our family is very proud of Chris and his decision to stay in the Coast Guard,” Poole said.

 

 

Johnathan Ballinger – son of Vanquish Vice President of Risk and Administration John Ballinger.

Johnathan is in the U.S. Air Force and is currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

He follows his father’s military footsteps. Before coming to Vanquish, John served in the U.S. Army and became a Warrant Officer trained in safety and risk management in all aspects of aviation.