U.S. Chamber Foundation Announces 2024 Hiring Our Heroes Awards Finalists
Hiring Our Heroes will recognize Bonnie Carroll, founder of the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), with the President’s Award for Lifetime Achievement during the 14th annual Lee Anderson Awards Gala on November 13, 2024.
Motivated by the death of her husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, in an Army plane crash along with seven other soldiers, Bonnie transformed her personal loss into a purposeful mission. After discovering few available resources for survivors, Carroll founded TAPS to offer peer-based emotional support and connections to community-based care. Today, the organization is a vital support network for more than 60,000 survivors and leads the charge in delivering 24/7 support to help families navigate the complexities of available resources and benefits.
In addition to founding and still serving as the president of TAPS, Carroll has held several esteemed appointments in the federal government, including White House Liaison to the Department of Veterans Affairs; Executive Assistant to the President for Cabinet Affairs; and, in Baghdad, Iraq, Deputy Senior Advisor for Programs in the Ministry of Communications. In 2015, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“As we head into a season of gratitude for our veterans and military families, I am honored to recognize the dedication and service of these outstanding finalists. Their contributions in support of the military community exemplify the highest standards of commitment to our service members and their families.”
Eric Eversole, President of Hiring Our Heroes
2024 Hiring Our Heroes Awards Finalists
Along with the President’s Award presentation, Hiring Our Heroes will present six awards in the following categories: Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment; Military Community Nonprofit Leadership; Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring; Post-9/11 Veteran Employment; Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; and Individual Excellence in Fellowship.
Eric Eversole, president of Hiring Our Heroes, announced the awards finalists in each category this week, saying “As we head into a season of gratitude for our veterans and military families, I am honored to recognize the dedication and service of these outstanding finalists. Their contributions in support of the military community exemplify the highest standards of commitment to our service members and their families.”
The Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran and Military Spouse Employment is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses.
The finalists for the Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment are:
- Tiffany Daugherty, Johnson & Johnson
- Sean Passmore, Wells Fargo
- Michael Piper, Lowe’s
- Lacey Raymond, Deloitte
The Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award is presented for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. This year’s finalists include:
- Booz Allen Hamilton
- General Dynamics Information Technology
- HCA Healthcare
The Steve Robinson Post-9/11 Veteran Employment Award is presented to an organization for effective and sustained efforts to enhance the ability of post-9/11 veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment. This year’s finalists are:
- CSX
- Fiserv
- Lowe’s
The Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award finalists for demonstrated leadership and commitment to hiring military spouses and empowering them as they search for meaningful careers:
- RSM US LLP
- UnitedHealth Group
- USAA
There are three finalists for the Military Community Nonprofit Leadership Award. This award is presented to a nonprofit organization with a demonstrated commitment to supporting veteran and military spouse employment and economic opportunity. This year’s finalists are:
- Dog Tag
- INvets
- wear blue: run to remember
The Fellows Program Alumni Excellence Award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond to serve and support the military community after graduating from the Hiring Our Heroes Fellows Program. The 2024 finalists are:
- Tony Adair, Comcast NBCUniversal
- Heather LoBue, Wells Fargo
- Chris Miles, Sonepar USA
The winners will be announced during the 14th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Gala, presented by Booz Allen, on November 13 in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
