COLD SPRING, Ky. — Bell Helicopter, a Fort Worth, Texas-based company committed to hiring veterans, will receive the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Large Employer of the Year Award  July 30 during the 96th DAV and DAV Auxiliary National Convention in New Orleans.

An industry leader in vertical lift aviation, Bell helicopter was named the national-level award recipient for their regular business practice to hire veterans.

“As a defense contractor, hiring veterans is a high priority at Bell Helicopter,” said Bell Helicopter Military Program recruiter Kevin Washer. “They have the skill sets we need: engineering, operations, aircraft maintenance, skilled trades; and, they have walked a mile in our customers’ boots.”

According to the company, Bell Helicopter employs 1,595 veterans, 406 who are disabled. Veterans comprise 24 percent of the organization’s total workforce.

The company closely works with the Texas Veterans Commission to recruit veterans and veterans are given preference for externally advertised job openings. Once a veteran self-identifies on an application, it is flagged and immediately passed to Bell Helicopter’s military recruiting specialist.

“Hiring veterans isn’t so much philanthropy as it is just good business sense,” said DAV National Commander Dave Riley. “Veterans and disabled veterans alike come to the workforce with experience in management, leadership, working in teams, discipline and a zero-mission-failure attitude. I’m grateful for what Bell Helicopter has done for the men and women who served. These employers know when you hire veterans, you hire some very skilled and sought-after talent.”

 


About DAV:
DAV empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. It is dedicated to a single purpose: fulfilling our promises to the men and women who served. DAV does this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; providing employment resources to veterans and their spouses; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. DAV, a nonprofit organization with nearly 1.3 million members, was founded in 1920 and chartered by the U. S. Congress in 1932. Learn more at www.dav.org