Veterans have a special place in our hearts at Coca-Cola Consolidated. As a company whose Purpose includes serving others, we can think of no greater servant leaders than the men and women who served our country.
Through our Veterans Resource Group (VRG), our military-affiliated Teammates are able to enjoy the camaraderie many service members miss when they leave the armed services. The group, which also welcomes allies, provides networking, mentoring and continued education opportunities.
In honor of Veterans Day, we spoke with members of our VRG about what Veterans Day means to them and how they feel supported at Coca-Cola Consolidated.
P.J. Palmer, Facility Manager
Bishopville, South Carolina
Retired Air Force Aerospace Group Equipment Technician
Joining Coke Consolidated’s VRG gave P.J. the opportunity to connect with other Teammates who are veterans.
“There’s a common bond between us through our military link. We can talk about things with each other that we can’t with other people,” P.J. says. “Camaraderie, mentorship and growth. Those are some of the benefits of being part of the VRG.”
P.J. served 26 years in the Air Force. He says his career with “one of the world’s largest corporations” – the military – armed him with the skills, discipline and strong work ethic needed for his civilian job.
“In the military, there are classes we go through to teach us how to be leaders, how to be effective communicators and writers, and how to schedule and stay on task,“ P.J. says. “All of that knowledge and training in the service transfers to civilian life. It helps you communicate with people anywhere you go. It makes it so much easier to be able to deal with anything in the civilian sector.”
He says he’s proud to work for a Company committed to the military community.
“We get a lot of support at our facility from leaders who support the Veterans Resource Group.”
When asked what Veterans Day means to him, PJ says, “It gives me a chance to reflect on some of the things I did in the military. I was part of Desert Storm, Desert Shield and the Kosovo War. It just brings all that full circle for me.”
Jennifer Goodman, Senior Manager, Talent Initiatives
Strategy Advisor to the VRG and military spouse
Charlotte, North Carolina
While Jennifer didn’t follow in the footsteps of her father, a Marine, or her spouse, a retired Army radio maintenance chief, she has spent years serving our country by helping military members transition into civilian life.
In addition to recruiting veterans, Jennifer says military spouses, who face an estimated 22% unemployment rate, are a viable talent pool.
“Military spouses share many of the same attributes as service members, including adaptability, team orientation and resilience,” she says. “Engaging military spouses provides us the opportunity to hire and retain great talent while impacting the lives of veterans and military families as a whole.”
To further our commitment to hiring members of the military community, Coke Consolidated formed a partnership with Hiring Our Heroes in 2023. The partnership enables our Talent Acquistion team and Coke Consolidated Teammates to meet with job seekers transitioning from the military, including military spouses, at hiring events across our 14-state territory and on military bases.
Even though she’s not a veteran herself, Jennifer says Veterans Day has special meaning for her.
“I have such respect for the 1% of the population who does choose to serve. It’s an honor to recognize them on Veterans Day because of the freedom they afforded us.”
Jason Avery, Health & Wellness Director
U.S. Army veteran
Veterans Resource Group founding member
Charlotte, North Carolina
On this Veterans Day, Jason is reflecting on his journey with our Veterans Resource Group and the support he and fellow veterans receive from Coke Consolidated.
Jason joined the Coke Consolidated family in 2022 after a 20+ year career in the U.S. Army, excited for the next chapter of his life. Within months on the job, Jason, with support from several Teammates, found himself leading the charge in creating the Coke Consolidated VRG.
After months of careful planning, the VRG became fully operational in the summer of 2023, and it hasn’t slowed since. The group has participated in more than 20 events, volunteering and partnering with nonprofits like Veterans Bridge Home and Folds of Honor. The group regularly engages with Teammates across our territory through quarterly virtual events, informing them of Veterans Affairs benefits, financial wellness sessions and career development opportunities.
Jason says the leadership support the VRG has received is overwhelming.
“My own manager has been a huge advocate, making sure I have the capacity to dedicate myself to these efforts,” he says. “This level of commitment from leadership shows that Coke Consolidated isn’t just veteran-friendly in name – it sets the standard.”
As the Veterans Resource Group celebrates its one-year anniversary, Jason says the group is more committed than ever to growing and continuing to support veterans with the best resources and opportunities.
Committed to All Veterans and Military Members
Coca-Cola Consolidated’s support for military community goes beyond the walls of our buildings. From partnering with Operation Homefront to support the Star-Spangled Babies® program, which provides free baby essentials to military families, to joining with NASCAR and the Charlotte Motor Speedway to remember our fallen heroes to making critical repairs to veterans’ homes, we continually look for opportunities to support veterans and military members.
To learn more about career opportunities with Coca-Cola Consolidated, visit work4coke.com
