The HeroZona National Veteran Summit powered by U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes is excited to honor companies and individuals supporting veteran initiatives on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the annual HeroZona National Veteran Summit awards banquet from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The ceremony will occur during the second day of the three-day long engagement. The event will take place at the Sheraton Phoenix Crescent Hotel (260 W. Dunlap Ave.) in Phoenix.
The HeroZona Veteran Summit awards banquet will celebrate individuals and businesses who are making an incredible impact on veteran and military spouse employment in Arizona and represent the foundation’s three pillars: entrepreneurship, employment and education. Receiving the Entrepreneurship Award will be Founder of Swift Transportation, Jerry Moyes; the Employment Award will be given to President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, Johnny C. Taylor Jr.; and the Education Award will be presented to Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges, Dr. Maria Haper-Marinick.
“I love seeing individuals and their companies stepping in to truly make a difference in the veteran community,” says HeroZona Foundation Founder and U.S. Army Veteran, Alan “AP” Powell. “It’s important to recognize and honor those who are working to provide resources to veterans through entrepreneurship, employment and education.”
The Maverick Award, honoring the late Senator John S. McCain will also be presented at the awards ceremony and the 2019 recipient will be the President of Human Resources for Domestic U.S. Operation of UPS, Danelle MCusker Rees. During HeroZona National Veteran Summits inaugural event in 2017, McCain accepted the Lifetime Service Award at the ceremony, which was later renamed the Maverick Award in his honor. The Mission Continues Award, given for continuous support to the veteran community, will be given to President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, Jason Rowley, and the Cesar Chavez Award for community service will be presented to President of the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, Ricardo Carlo.
The keynote speaker during the awards banquet will be Arizona resident and former Marine R.J. Mitchell, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions during the second battle of Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. The Navy Cross is the second-highest military decoration for valor that may be awarded to a member of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps or U.S. Coast Guard.
HeroZona National Veteran Summit (Nov. 5 to Nov. 7) is free and open to active duty service members, National Guard and Army Reserve, veterans, military spouses and caregivers. To learn more about the HeroZona Foundation’s programs and HeroZona National Veteran Summit, visit herozonasummit.com.
