Logicalis is committed to greater inclusion and diversity by ensuring equal opportunity and treatment for all talented people that are part of our Logicalis community. And when I say “community,” I don’t just mean our employees.
Our community includes employee resource groups (ERGs) and the value they bring. Logicalis’ largest ERG is the Military Personnel Employee Resource Group (MPERG), a group that I am privileged to lead. MPERG supports those who currently serve or who have ever served in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard (and now Space Force)—whether on active duty or in the National Guard or military reserves.
But what makes Logicalis unique is that our employee resource groups are meant to be inclusive rather than exclusive. In other words, you don’t have to be a military member to support the military or be a woman to support women. Our ERGs are open to all and they extend support to families as well.
Leading the way for our military members
It’s in that spirit that I was asked to become the new president of MPERG. I was born into a military family. My grandfather served in Africa under General George S. Patton and also spent time in Italy. My father was a navy bombardier out of Memphis and flew reconnaissance flights over Cuba. I still have his logbook on my desk.
I was destined to serve as well, having applied to and received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. But an unforeseen medical condition that cropped up in high school kept me from pursuing a military career.
So it was serendipitous when the two most senior military members at Logicalis and founding MPERG members—Ed Graves, Manager of Platform Services and Captain, USAF (ret.) and Bob Dobson, Global Talent Development Director and Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air National Guard (ret.)—nominated me to serve as MPERG’s second president. I immediately accepted.
In our inaugural year, MPERG created our purpose, structure, and charter. We then sought to reframe our recruitment efforts by launching several recruitment events, a Talent Network for military members and their families, and MOS codes for easy job searching. We also supported veterans by becoming a national sponsor of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization and supported our own military members and their families.
This year, MPERG has strengthened our partnership with DAV and provided additional support for active-duty military members.
DAV: Raising our fundraising bar for veterans
The Disabled American Veterans organization provides a lifetime of support for veterans of all generations and their families, helping more than 1 million veterans in positive, life-changing ways each year. They take no federal funds and more than 80% of funds raised directly supports veterans. DAV’s services are offered at no cost to veterans, their families, and survivors.
Each year, the DAV holds a 5K walk, roll, run, and ride to thank those who served and raise awareness of the issues our ill and injured veterans face every day.
Through MPERG, Logicalis stepped up to raise funds for the DAV 5K, continually surpassing our expectations. To date, Logicalians have donated $6,375, becoming the #2 highest fundraising team—and beating out event sponsor Humana and Microsoft Public Sector.
What’s more, Logicalis Sr. Solutions Architect Jocelyn (Joy) Hamryszak (First Class Petty Officer, USN) alone raised $3,275, becoming the third highest individual contributor, while Matt Previts—Key Account Executive, MPERG President-Elect and Information Warfare Qualified IP Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves—holds the #11 spot.
Logicalis is proud of our employees and thrilled to support our veterans in this important effort.
Mission: Operation Mrs. Claus
Finally, we can all use a little holiday cheer, but especially our active-duty service members. Courtney Rothermel—Logicalis Talent Acquisition Specialist, MPERG Treasurer, and wife of an active-duty senior enlisted soldier—came up with a plan to send Christmas cheer to six female soldiers serving in Kuwait.
Dubbed Operation Mrs. Claus, Courtney asked Logicalians to help by making donations that could be used to purchase hard-to-get snacks, skin care items, warm things for cold desert nights, games, earbuds, and gift cards. Employees could also send Christmas cards, letters, videos or pictures to help our soldiers feel like “home” during the holidays.
Again, Logicalis employees stepped up, donating over $2,000 to the effort, enabling Courtney to shop and ship holiday cheer to these brave women from Fort Gordon, GA. And one very generous “Secret Santa” added his own packed boxes from his family that will go with the gifts from Logicalis.
Not only will Logicalis help boost morale at a time when being away from home can be especially hard, our employees can feel a part of something bigger than themselves.
Logicalis: Supporting our employees—and our military
Finally, we’re proud to support all our employees who have served and continue to serve. Check out our “veterans’ voices”—videos that allow you to hear directly from our military and veteran employees about their service and the value that each of them brings to Logicalis and our respective communities.
We’re always looking for a few good military members, veterans and spouses to join Logicalis. If you’re interested, join the Logicalis’ Talent network. By joining, you’ll receive notifications of all new openings within your skill set and desired region(s). And be sure to tell other veterans, military members and spouses so they can sign up, too.
Finally, visit our Careers page to see what positions are available at Logicalis all over the globe. You can even sort by MOS code to see positions that closely match your skills.
Craig Perry is Senior Director of Talent Acquisition & HRIS, responsible for leading his team’s initiative to find people who fit Logicalis’ customer-driven, community-centered culture. He also serves as president of MPERG.