Celebrating Veterans in the Wireless Industry

Happy Veterans Day from WIA!

As the nation pauses on November 11th to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces, WIA also recognizes and thanks the many U.S. military veterans who have transitioned into civilian careers in our industry.

David Barton

Maintenance Field Engineer, Telamon

David Barton

Maintenance Field Engineer, Telamon

“The wireless industry highlights the need for personal initiative, the ability to identify issues and come up with solutions in a timely manner. Generally these are traits that are honed by military service which is why many find a career in wireless rewarding.”

Ernesto Santiago

Telamon

Ernesto Santiago

Telamon

“The wireless industry is very important for Veterans because it is always changing and getting better. That way we can keep up with the changes and share the knowledge to others while keeping the country updated with the latest technology.”

Todd Jones

Optical Transport Engineer, Telamon

Todd Jones

Optical Transport Engineer, Telamon

“Integrity is of the utmost importance in telecommunications. What we learned in the military was: You don’t get what you expect … you get what you inspect.”

Mary Bryant

Environmental Safety Specialist, Dynamic Environmental Associates

Mary Bryant

Environmental Safety Specialist, Dynamic Environmental Associates

“Like the military, the telecommunications industry has a concrete mission that inspires people. I have found a huge passion in this industry, much like my time in the Marine Corps. It also very much feels like a tight knit brotherhood, which is something I missed and thought I would never find outside of the military. There is no other industry where I can take the skills I have learned in the Marine Corps and apply them to my civilian job.”

Andy Dykstra

Project Manager - Engineering, Everest Infrastructure Partners

Andy Dykstra

Project Manager - Engineering, Everest Infrastructure Partners

“The wireless industry is fast paced, turbulent and ever-evolving to meet demand for high speed wireless internet and connectivity. Many veterans have experience in a similar environment and are extremely adaptable and level-headed. I feel this experience is beneficial and translates well into the telecommunication industry.”

Adam Ashley

Environmental Specialist, Dynamic Environmental Associates

Adam Ashley

Environmental Specialist, Dynamic Environmental Associates

“Telecom is a growing field that deals with constant change and expansion so there is a great deal of job security. The many facets of the industry also ensure there is somewhere any vet can use their skills to find a place to belong.”

Bo Biggs

Operations Site Lead for 15 Years, American Tower Corporation

Bo Biggs

Operations Site Lead for 15 Years, American Tower Corporation

“The military honed me to think and move quickly in both the thought processes and actions needed to be successful in the wireless industry. I’ve built complete sites from breaking ground to turning on the site as a contractor to managing a portfolio of as many as 300+ sites. I owe my military service for instilling the ethics and accountability needed to thrive in a solo environment working in field operations.”

John Boyll

Senior Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

John Boyll

Senior Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

“The wireless industry offers a wide variety of career paths that fit with many of the jobs and duties during military service.”

Todd Corley

HR Analyst, DigitalBridge Group, Inc.

Todd Corley

HR Analyst, DigitalBridge Group, Inc.

“The ever-changing landscape of the wireless infrastructure industry aligns seamlessly with veterans’ exceptional adaptability, teamwork skills, and leadership abilities when collaborating with diverse management hierarchies. This alignment of attributes underscores why the digital infrastructure sector offers an outstanding career path for veterans.”

Kelly Moore

Telecom West – Operations (Professional Services), Network Connex

Kelly Moore

Telecom West – Operations (Professional Services), Network Connex

“I believe the wireless industry is an excellent career field for Veterans. Having a well-structured work environment to transition into after military service is important for Veterans. It is what we are used to and something we seek. The wireless world offers that. Advancement in the career field is limitless if you are willing to put in the work. Core values such as honor, courage, commitment, and integrity are instilled into our service members and transferred over into the civilian world. These values are crucial in ensuring that we provide our customers with the best service we can offer, and accountability for what we provide. Attention to detail, teamwork, improvisation, and multitasking are skills we are taught through military service, and skills I utilize day to day in the telecommunications world.”

Oscar Rizzo

Principal Optical Transport Engineer, Telamon

Oscar Rizzo

Principal Optical Transport Engineer, Telamon

“The wireless industry is continuously evolving, with a strong focus on research and development. This means there are opportunities for veterans to work in cutting-edge fields like 5G technology, IoT (Internet of Things), and wireless infrastructure development. Veterans with technical backgrounds, such as those in signal and communications, can leverage their expertise in roles related to wireless technology, including network installation, maintenance, and security.”

James Calhoun

Operations Site Lead, American Tower Corporation

James Calhoun

Operations Site Lead, American Tower Corporation

“The wireless industry is a great choice for veterans because as veterans we know how to adapt, adjust, and overcome challenges and changes. Veterans quickly identify problems and focus on solutions. The wireless industry is an everchanging and challenging place where veterans can excel due to past challenging experiences within the military.”

Corshaad Scott

Construction Coordinator, APC Towers

Corshaad Scott

Construction Coordinator, APC Towers

“The emphasis on teamwork and leadership in the military also translates well into the collaborative environment here at APC Towers and across the wireless industry. Effective communication, problem-solving and the ability to work under pressure are highly valued skills in this field. The wireless industry offers a compelling career path for veterans due to the alignment of skills, the dynamic nature of the field, and the recognition of the value that veteran brings to the workforce.”

Rafael Ramirez

Training and Compliance Coordinator, Tilson

Rafael Ramirez

Training and Compliance Coordinator, Tilson

“The wireless industry is an exciting industry with opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement. From entry-level to advanced positions, Tilson is on a mission hiring hundreds of team members across the country, including tower climbers and positions building high-speed fiber broadband. The structure and training provided resembles that of military training, which is something most veterans are familiar with and long for after separation from the military.Tilson’s wireless program offers a rewarding career path for veterans because it offers a challenge to learn new skills while making a difference in our communities.”

Brandon Sargent

Project Manager - Engineering, Everest Infrastructure Partners

Brandon Sargent

Project Manager - Engineering, Everest Infrastructure Partners

“The wireless industry offers a fast-paced environment in which veterans are intimately familiar with. Forecasts are routinely changing and veterans have the innate ability to adapt at a moment’s notice; couple that with the familial atmosphere, and the wireless industry stands out among one of the easiest career paths for veterans post-service.”

Rob Dunning

Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

Rob Dunning

Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

“The wireless industry allows me to continuously learn and grow my technical capabilities.”

Chris Distler

Senior Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

Chris Distler

Senior Access Operations Engineer, UScellular

“As a former Signal Soldier, the skills that I learned in the military translated to the wireless industry rather well. It is an ever changing, fast paced world, and it is very rewarding knowing that you are providing a top-notch communication service. The military prepares you for adapting and performing under pressure and provides the knowledge base to succeed in the wireless industry.”

Ellen Long

Executive Assistant Project Manager, Dynamic Environmental Associates

Ellen Long

Executive Assistant Project Manager, Dynamic Environmental Associates

“Many veterans, myself included, struggle to reintegrate into the civilian world because it lacks the structure and diversity of work that the military offers. I think the telecom industry is a happy medium for veterans looking for a team environment that they can evolve and thrive in. Given the ever-changing nature of this industry, there is a lot of room to grow and every job is different.”

Thomas Criswell

Foreman (OSP Construction), NTI

Thomas Criswell

Foreman (OSP Construction), NTI

“The wireless industry is great for veterans because it definitely puts your problem-solving skills to use.”

Edwin Cubias

Store Manager, UScellular

Edwin Cubias

Store Manager, UScellular

“As a veteran, the uncertainty of coming back home and finding a career is one of the biggest stressors after you complete your duty. During the time I spent in the military, I learned multiple skills to excel in this industry such as leadership, inclusion, diversity and navigating changes. It is crucial to have such skills in this industry because you deal with new people, new situations and new changes daily.”

John Hollister

Solutions Engineer, Wireless, Corning Optical Communications

John Hollister

Solutions Engineer, Wireless, Corning Optical Communications

“My experience in the military showed me that we all can do more than we think we can do. We also can do more as a team utilizing each other’s strengths.”

Fahad Khamis

Leasing Operations Account Specialist, American Tower Corp.

Fahad Khamis

Leasing Operations Account Specialist, American Tower Corp.

“Like the military, the wireless industry has a wide variety of opportunities and growth potential. The discipline and work ethic drilled during service has allowed me to quickly adapt to the everchanging wireless evolutions with a much clearer and more positive mindset. I gained skills I was able to apply in my current role, helping me develop and expand much easier as a team player. Those are just some things that applied to me, and I truly believe other veterans could also thrive in this industry just like I am.”

Bharath Nagula

Director, Business Analytics, American Tower Corp.

Bharath Nagula

Director, Business Analytics, American Tower Corp.

“Military services teach discipline, attention to detail, collaboration with diverse functional teams, and the ability to adapt quickly. The Wireless industry continues to grow with constant changes, providing veterans with many opportunities to utilize these skills to excel in their careers.”

Dave Plym

Wireless Solutions Architect, UScellular

Dave Plym

Wireless Solutions Architect, UScellular

“Discipline, leadership and technical skills developed in the military transfer very well to the private sector. Within the wireless industry there are continuous learning opportunities and diverse career paths to pursue.”

Elly Ruston

Chief of Staff, Sitenna

Elly Ruston

Chief of Staff, Sitenna

“In the military we are trained to work and be comfortable in an ambiguous environment of sorts, used to wearing many hats and used to responding to unexpected curve balls. As Chief of Staff at Sitenna, I find myself doing the same from being Second in Command to Chief Personnel Officer to Logistician; I use the skills I developed in the military to hold the people within the organisation together.”

Greg Hutton

Construction Program Manager, Everest Infrastructure Partners

Rob McCaslin

Director of Business Development, Kompass Funding

Rob McCaslin

Director of Business Development, Kompass Funding

The wireless industry is both challenging and continually evolving. For those who have served, their service required flexibility, leadership, and perseverance, all are the hallmarks of the wireless industry and our veterans. The two are well-aligned.

William Hartley

Retail Wireless Consultant, UScellular

William Hartley

Retail Wireless Consultant, UScellular

The wireless industry is a lot like the military. It is always improvising, adapting, and overcoming the day-to-day challenges presented to you not only by your customers, but by the technology the wireless industry uses.

Jim Lilienfeld

Senior Manager, Sales and Business Development, Advanced RF Technologies, Inc. (ADRF)

Jim Lilienfeld

Senior Manager, Sales and Business Development, Advanced RF Technologies, Inc. (ADRF)

“The military immerses you in some of the nation’s most advanced technology, and having been on the frontlines of innovation, the desire to continue working with high-end technology is deeply ingrained in me. The wireless industry satisfies that desire, in addition to offering a dynamic, fast-paced, and hands-on environment that is perfectly suited to veteran skill sets. Especially in recent years, the wireless industry has become the ultimate enabler of progress in our society and therefore allows us to be part of a larger purpose again.”

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