ABOUT THE PROGRAM
While there is no way to repay the sacrifices made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive influence within the home improvement industry.
To honor the ongoing impact military veterans make throughout the home improvement industry, in 2025, NHPA launched the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the National Hardware Show (NHS) as the program’s official founding sponsor and venue partner.
If you have a military veteran in your operation, please visit YourNHPA.org/veterans to nominate them as a Helmets to Home Improvement honoree.
TAYLOR COX
U.S. Army
Cox Hardware & Lumber
Growing up fascinated by his grandfathers’ stories of military service, Taylor Cox leaned in early to a career in the military, attending West Point and serving in the U.S. Army from 2008 through 2016.
“My one grandfather was a U.S. Navy seaplane gunner and crewman in World War II and my other grandfather was a U.S. Air Force maintenance officer,” Taylor says. “I always knew I wanted to push myself to my limits and give back through military service.”
In the U.S. Army, Taylor served in a variety of roles and ranks, finishing as a Captain. During his time of service, Taylor says he enjoyed the overall sense of mission and the importance of his jobs and role as a soldier.
“Other highlights from my time in the military include the bonds I forged with others through shared hardship and the pride I felt serving my country,” Taylor says.
As much as he loved and appreciated his time in the military, as his initial service obligation was coming to an end, Taylor decided he didn’t want to work for another large corporate organization and saw an opportunity back in his family’s business.
“From having subordinates and understanding your responsibilities as a leader to being able to relate to people and showing servant leadership, all of these soft skills I learned in the Army have been crucial in my role now.”
—Taylor Cox, Cox Hardware & Lumber
Lumber focuses on basic hardware offerings, lumber and building materials and industrial supplies. During his own time in the military, Henry saved up enough money to start Cox Hardware & Lumber. The business was then passed to Lloyd and then Taylor’s father Virgil.
“When I left the military, it didn’t take long for me to realize I enjoyed working back in the family business,” Taylor says. “After a year, I agreed to learn and grow the business from my father, with the end goal of taking over the business and becoming the fourth-generation family owner.”
Growing up in the industry, Taylor says his dad never put any pressure on him or his sister to join the family business.
“I worked in the store over several summers, but never felt like I had to pursue working there as a career,” Taylor says. “Our father understood how hard retail is, and he never pushed us one way or another.”
From Tanks to Tools
Currently, Taylor is the company’s vice president and inventory manager, focused on purchasing, growth and pricing.
“My favorite part of my job now is the freedom to make decisions with little overhead. I have opportunities to succeed or fail and learn from both,” Taylor says.
learned in the Army have been crucial in my role now,” Taylor says. “My leadership roles in the Army taught me how to navigate people.”
Other experience he gained in the military that has been helpful in retail is understanding operational and strategic goals and having a positive outlook.
“Even when bad things happen, I tell folks, ‘It could always be worse!’” Taylor says.
Along with Taylor, Cox Hardware & Lumber has employed other veterans over the years and utilized their unique skills.
Veterans are accustomed to engaging in hard work and sacrifice, following irregular schedules, tackling unexpected tasks that come up throughout a day, doing physical labor and working with their hands, all qualities that are highly sought after in retail, Taylor says.
“They are also able to think outside the box to accomplish the mission, and they make great team players,” he says.
In the end, veterans are looking for what most employees are—a fulfilling career with opportunities to advance and give back to the community.
“If I were to work for some large company, I would just be a guy in a suit who doesn’t see a lot of impact,” Taylor says. “I like to see the actual effects of my efforts. I really like to help people.”
Smart Training Smarter Teams
RetailWise is NHPA’s new AI-powered micro-training program, built exclusively for independent hardware, paint, and lumber retailers. Designed for today’s fast-paced retail environment, RetailWise delivers 52 professionally scripted, two-minute video lessons—available in English, Spanish and French-Canadian that fit seamlessly into your store’s daily rhythm. No long classroom sessions or complicated schedules required.
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RetailWise can be accessed across multiple platforms including, mobile devices, desktops and in-store screens.
COURSE CATEGORIES:
Customer Experience & Sales Techniques
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Have Questions?
Contact Cody Goeppner at cgoeppner@YourNHPA.org.
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ALEX PORTER
U.S. Air Force & Kansas Air National Guard Porters Building Centers Ace Hardware
Growing up in the family hardware business, Porters Building Centers Ace Hardware, Alex Porter was raised with a desire to help others. He took his passion for serving to the military and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force in 2013 after graduating from college.
“The slogan for our family business has always been, ‘We’re here to help,’ and I found that serving in the military would be the best way I could help others at that time,” Alex says. “The military also allowed me to diversify my leadership knowledge and expertise in some of the harshest environments or situations.”
Alex was part of the Kansas Air National Guard from 2013 to 2019, and during that time served a seven-month deployment in Kuwait as a targeting officer for Operation Inherent Resolve with the 18th Airborne Corps. During his time with the Air National Guard, Alex worked in the family business as much as possible, but was serving in a more time-intensive job than most National Guard roles, so the military took priority. The times he was able to help out in the stores showed him the impact he could make there.
“I realized that by working full time back in the hardware stores, I could provide a different level of help to others,” Alex says. “I decided it was probably more impactful and the right time to come home and work in service to my community.”
Small-Town Service Runs Deep
The transition from military to retail has allowed Alex to continue helping others, and he currently serves as chief operating officer of Porters Building Centers Ace Hardware in Missouri.
The operation was started in 1952 as Kearney Lumber Company by Alex’s grandparents, Mary Helen and Mack Porter, who is also a military veteran, having served in World War II in the U.S. Army.
Lessons Learned, Applied
Along with serving others, Alex says his favorite part of working in the independent channel is the flexibility to do what’s best for the communities where Porters Ace has stores. He also appreciates the benefits that come with being part of a co-op.
“We have a nice mix, exactly what a co-op is supposed to be,” Alex says. “We have the buying power and can utilize the processes and procedures of the co-op that have been heavily vetted to our advantage, but we are still able to be our own stores, providing that local feel and running our operation based on what best serves our local communities.”
As he transitioned into full-time work in the family business, Alex says he realized that the military prepared him well in different areas.
In the Air National Guard, Alex was exposed to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, which he says has helped him grow a strong culture at the stores to serve a variety of customers.
On their first day open, Mary Helen gave birth to their first son Craig, and from the beginning, the Porters established a reputation for excellent customer service, going out of their way to help customers. A few years later, the Porters opened a second location and had their second son Kent, Alex’s father, that same week, further establishing themselves as a true family small-town business. When they had daughter Kristy in 1961, the business had grown to four stores, and in 1976, Kearney Lumber Company became Porters Building Centers.
Mack passed away in early 2024, but Alex says he came to work every day up until his 95th birthday when he suffered a stroke and was unable to recover. Kent serves as president of the company and Craig runs a sister company, Porter Wholesale Lumber. Alex and his sister Natalie make up the third generation of Porters to run the operation.
Not long after Alex transitioned to the family business full-time in 2019, he opened a brand new store in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. His passion for serving others paid off, with that store beating sales expectations by 70%. In July 2024, the Porter family opened a 20,000-square-foot store in an old Bed, Bath and Beyond store in Lake of the Ozarks and bought a building in late 2024 to open a fifth location this year.
“It was interesting, to say the least, to get that store up and running during lockdowns,” Alex says.
“Getting out and interacting with different people from around the country and the world taught me to look for what different people can bring to the table,” Alex says. “Gaining an outside perspective of leadership, organization and more helped me see a bigger picture and have a better vision of what our company could be.”
The structure he experienced in the military also led to Alex developing direction in the stores.
“I had seen so many org charts in the military that when I came back to the office and started running the day-to-day operations, I realized our employees didn’t have road maps for their roles to see how their careers could unfold with us,” Alex says. “When employees can see how they fit into the company, what their role is and what their opportunities are, there is more buy-in and commitment.”
Military veterans are an excellent fit in the independent channel thanks to their resilience and discipline, Alex says.
“Most veterans have had discipline ingrained in their being,” he says. “Having been tested physically and mentally while serving, the veteran can excel in diverse environments and stay on task.”
DAN WALTON
U.S. Air Force & Indiana Air National Guard Do it Best
Dan Walton has one foot in the independent home improvement industry and one in the military but is fully dedicated to both. As a communications specialist for Do it Best, Dan also currently serves in the Indiana Air National Guard.
His career in the military started in 1993 when he joined the Air Force after spending three years at Indiana University. He served active duty in the Air Force for four years, working in avionics on the navigation systems, flight instruments and autopilot systems for fighter jets.
At the end of 2010, Dan enlisted in the Indiana Air National Guard, this time going into munitions, where he builds bombs, does missile testing and handles other related tasks.
“I’ve had two completely different jobs in my two stints in the military because of what was available at the time,” Walton says. “Both of them are a lot of fun, and I’ve had a great time learning both. They’re all related to planes, but in very different ways.”
In 2023, Dan spent almost five months deployed in Saudi Arabia and has also been deployed to two different bases in Afghanistan and one in Kuwait.
“I joined Do it Best for the same reason I got into the military—it was what was best for my family,” Dan says.
Tradition Lives On
Being part of a tradition that dates back to the start of the country is one of Dan’s favorite parts of serving.
“When we were deployed in Kuwait in 2014 and 2015, we were the first Air Force squadron stationed there to participate in the coalition air strikes against ISIS,” Dan says. “They reactivated us as the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing—that 332nd designation hadn’t been used since World War II when it was used for the Tuskegee airman. So the tradition part of serving is very cool.”
The people he has worked and served with have also been a highlight, and Dan appreciates the bonds he built with them and the commitment each of them has for the military. Dan says the military is his other family.
“You’ve literally gone around the world with them, gone to war with them, been in bunkers during rocket attacks with them,” Dan says. “The commitment to excellence in the military is unmatched, and I’ve never been able to find its equal in the civilian
supportive of Dan during his time in the Indiana Air National Guard. He recalls one specific time when he was deployed in Kuwait and his unit was working out of a building where the power lines had been cut, so they were building bombs by flashlights and generators.
“I sent a wish list back to Do it Best, and less than two weeks later, tons of supplies showed up,” Dan says. “Do it Best doesn’t just let me be in the Air National Guard, they support me in doing it.”
In 2016, Do it Best won the Pro Patria Award from the Indiana Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of their support of employees in the Guard and Reserves. This award is given to only one employer statewide each year.
While his military skills haven’t directly translated to his role at Do it Best, he has transferred many of the characteristics he honed, including being a quick learner and figuring out how to be adaptable.
“I had no clue how to do either of my military jobs before I started, but learned quickly,” Dan says. “Also, everything changes in the military all the time so you have to learn to take it in stride and how to work through it.”
SAM RANSDELL
North Carolina Army National Guard
Burney Hardware Co.
When the time came to move from the military to working full time in his family’s hardware business, Sam Ransdell was excited to see how his military skills would transfer to his role as operations manager for the Burney Hardware Co. locations in Aberdeen and Seven Lakes, North Carolina. Sam’s grandfather S. R. Ransdell purchased the business in 1982 and Sam’s parents, Jim and Kristy, took over in 1985, so he literally grew up in the business.
“It has been rewarding to see the tremendous growth we have had over the years,” he says.
“Hardware is in our blood.”
With a desire for the structure, brotherhood and growth opportunities the military promised, Sam joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in 2010. He served in the Army National Guard as a logistics officer until 2019, when he returned to work full time for Burney True Value where he has guided the operation to success. In 2015, Sam was named a North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) Young Retailer of the Year honoree.
“During my time in the National Guard, I enjoyed being part of the planning and then seeing the plan through to successful completion,” Sam says. “It’s always rewarding to see your plans in action.”
his success in the independent home improvement channel.
Back in the hardware world, Sam says he loves the freedom that being your own boss brings, working with customers and being able to provide solutions to people who have a real need.
“I think being a small business allows us to stay nimble and adapt to the ever-changing market, which keeps us viable, especially in our area,” Sam says.
One example of the operation’s nimbleness occurred during Hurricane Helene, when Sam says they gathered supplies from the stores and accepted donations from the community to quickly get supplies to those in need.
“Quick thinking from our team and community is what made that work, and I love that not only do we support our community, but our community supports us in so many ways,” Sam says. “We are very grateful to be here in Moore County.”
Sam says the flexibility he honed in the military—plus being able to adapt, overcome on the fly and remain fluid under pressure—have been crucial to
“Sometimes we encounter situations that can be challenging, but fortunately we have great teams in both of our stores, and I know our customers appreciate us being able to jump in when there is a need,” Sam says. “Knowing how to lead a team and maintaining morale is key to ensuring a successful business, and I don’t know anywhere that will teach you those skills better than the military.”
Shifting Skills
Sam has not only tapped into his military skills and experience in his own hardware career, he’s also helped other veterans utilize their military skills in the operation. There have been over a hundred military veterans employed over the years, and Sam values the skills and perspectives those employees gained from military service like he values his own.
“They have leadership skills, stamina and discipline they acquired in the military that many civilians don’t have,” Sam says. “In addition, they’re strong merchandisers because they are trained to pay attention to details and fix problems with precision.”
Some of the more tangible skills, such as small engine repair, translate directly from the military to a hardware business. Other less measurable skills—like work ethic, teamwork and grit—are bonuses that also positively impact the business.
“If they’re doing a march and they’re dead tired, they still put their rucksacks in formation at the end,” Sam says. “When we recognize a section of the store is dirty, it doesn’t matter if we’re tired or busy. It needs to be done, so we do it.”
Leadership and the ability to execute are two competencies Sam personally brought in from his military experience and looks for in the other veterans he hires. A move from infantry soldier to retailer might not appear to be a natural career progression, Sam says, but it could be an opportunity to continue using leadership skills and grow into management roles.
“Veterans are a great group of people who know what it means to have fun but also buckle down and get to business,” Sam says. “Veterans are such a huge asset to our hardware community. They are disciplined, mentally tough, attentive, considerate and really enhance the overall hardware experience, for not only coworkers, but customers alike.”
CASSIE CIRISAN
U.S. Marine Corps
Frankenmuth True Value
The Few, The Proud, The Marines. Taking it as more than just a tagline for this branch of the U.S. military, Cassie Cirisan lived out this slogan during her time serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1990 to 1998. As one of a small percentage of women who have served in the Marines, Cassie embraced the challenge.
“I was raised in a military family, but because I was a female, the Marines was not the first choice they had for me,” Cassie says. “In high school, I remember reading that Marine Corps basic training was one of the hardest things an American woman could do, so I wanted that challenge.”
During her time in the Marine Corps, Cassie’s occupational specialty was aviation ordinance, where she worked on and loaded the weapons systems on aircraft. She began working on fighter jets and later transitioned to helicopters.
As a part of the Marines, Cassie says she appreciated the opportunities she had to travel and the experiences she was able to engage in.
“One of my favorite experiences about serving was getting to see and do so many things your average person doesn’t even have the chance to do,” Cassie says. “I’ve gone hiking in the Hawaiian mountains, toured the Australian outback and flown over Atlanta hanging by a rope to name a few things.”
Craving Hands-On Work
After all of the adventures she experienced in the Marines, Cassie knew her next job would need to be dynamic to keep her attention, so she turned to her local hardware store.
“When I got out of the Marines, I knew sitting still was not for me, so I went to work in purchasing for my local True Value,” she says. “I am a very hands-on person and like to tinker and fix all sorts of projects. The hardware store provided me the opportunity to experience something new every day and use my hands.”
Cassie started working at Hopp’s Lumber and Supply in Mayville, Michigan, in 2002. In 2015, she moved over to become the store manager at Frankenmuth True Value in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Frankenmuth True Value is the sister store to Vassar True Value in Vassar, Michigan, which is celebrating 45 years in business this year.
“The owner of Frankenmuth True Value, Adam Barden, brought me in as assistant manager while we were literally building up the store in July, and had enough faith in me that when we opened the doors in August, he promoted me to manager,” Cassie says. “I am proud to say that in just 10 years, we have become a community fixture and the local go-to destination for paint and hardware.”
Just like she developed and grew relationships in the Marines, Cassie says her favorite part of working in the independent channel is building relationships
“I think veterans are ideal for this type of work. We can be pointed in a direction and will do our best to complete any task given to us.”
—Cassie Cirisan, Frankenmuth True Value
with her regular customers and anyone who comes into the store.
“I love knowing the majority of my customers by name, and I can keep track of what projects they are working on and encourage them,” Cassie says.
Along with lifelong experiences, her time in the Marines gave Cassie skills that she has utilized in her roles in the independent home improvement channel, including work ethic and tenacity.
“Serving in the Marines taught me how to get things done with whatever is at hand,” Cassie says. “Being an independent hardware store, we don’t have the corporate cookie cutter format, so we can be creative in our solutions.”
Because of their dedication, Cassie believes that military veterans are a good fit for the channel.
“I think veterans are ideal for this type of work,” she says. “We can be pointed in a direction and will do our best to complete any task given to us.”
JAMES KLEINMAN
U.S. Navy
Luu Color Center
With a desire to see the world and a mechanically inclined brain, James Kleinman joined the U.S. Navy in 1978. James served for six years working on submarines and the surface fleet as a nuclear-trained electrician’s mate second class.
“The Navy slogan I had seen growing up was, ‘Join the Navy, see the world,’ and that got me at a certain level,” James says. “As I grew older, I got interested in machinery—hot rods, planes, submarines—all the gears of war.”
After he took the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and scored high in electrical and mechanical, recruiters were eager to sign him up to serve with the U.S. Navy, James says.
“They were just falling all over themselves, they wanted to get me in,” he says. “Somebody offered me submarines, and I knew that’s where I wanted to go.”
Having the opportunity to work with all of the military gear at the time was a highlight for James and his love for machines. He also loved getting to see the world as the old Navy slogan promised, visiting Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand and more.
“When you’re in the military, you learn so much. The Navy taught me a lot of very important and fundamental lessons about how to make it in the world. I’m grateful for that.”
—James Kleinman, Luu Color Center
“I didn’t even realize at the time how technologically advanced the gear I was working on was compared to the civilian world,” James says. “And I was able to see so many different places. But my most favorite moment was on a surface ship in the middle of nowhere where you could see nothing but storms and the ocean.”
with color, paint and design, it’s in my creative blood.”
Along with learning practical skills in the Navy that he has put to use in the paint store, James says he gained the important lesson of being self-sufficient.
Supporting the Industry
After his time in the Navy, James did a number of odd jobs using the different skills he gained in the Navy, but ultimately settled into working as a professional painter.
“When you’re in the military, you learn so much, so after I got out, I did a lot of different things,” he says. “Eventually, I just got more into painting, because it indulged my creativity more.”
In 1992, James began working at a locally owned Benjamin Moore paint store in Maryland with his sister, Amy. There he met Toan Luu, who was a professional commercial and residential painter. In 1998, Amy and Toan opened Luu Color Center in Rockville, Maryland, and James joined them in the business.
Being able to solve customers’ problems is James’ favorite part of working in the industry.
“I like the challenge of solving problems every day. Every problem that comes in, even when it’s the same old problem, is still a little bit different,” James says. “I love working
“The Navy taught me a lot of very important and fundamental lessons about how to make it in the world,” James says. “I’m grateful for that.”
After retiring in 2011, Kleinman enjoyed a well-deserved break until he was called to join the industry once more. When Toan’s daughter Huong Luu reached out for help following her father’s passing in 2021, James graciously came out of retirement to help rebuild and support her and the store.
“For me, it meant everything to have Jamie come out of retirement five years into it to help me rebuild after my dad’s passing,” Huong says. “Without Jamie’s willingness to step back in and support the business, we simply would not be where we are today. His commitment and heart have made all the difference.”
The company has blossomed under Huong’s lead with James’ support.
“I am so grateful to get such a rare second chance at something so close to my heart,” James says. “I left a lot of blood, sweat and tears that were still there when I came back. I feel so very fortunate to have that chance.”
CHRIS McDANIEL
U.S. Army MANS Lumber
Growing up watching family members serving in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, Chris McDaniel developed a desire to contribute in the same way and joined the U.S. Air Force in May 2002.
“When I was younger, I was able to see firsthand some of the aircraft that my family worked on and kept in the air,” Chris says. “I always had planned to join the military right after high school, and then 9/11 happened. I immediately wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and serve my country. Even back then, I knew the military was something I would retire from.”
Chris worked in ground transportation, and his role offered major support to military action in the Middle East right after 9/11. He was deployed five times to Afghanistan, Iraq and Qatar, and he amassed more than 150,000 miles, traveling across some of the most dangerous roads in Iraq and Afghanistan.
the bigger picture where vehicle operators fit into the bigger mission,” Chris says. “At home station, you’re driving bus routes or something like that, and you don’t really see how you fit into the overall mission. Deployed, you’re moving stuff that is integral to someone, somewhere. You are taking vital supplies and cargo to other bases that need it.”
His favorite part about serving was being a member of an amazing team, including serving along with Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, who was killed when a roadside improvised explosive device detonated underneath the Humvee she was driving while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009. During his Afghanistan deployment, Chris served as morale and welfare coordinator, hosting Texas Hold’em tournaments, Spades tournaments and other events for the forward operating base.
“Our efforts put us in dangerous areas, and we had to take care of each other in the heat of the battle,” Chris says. “That teamwork and trust of your fellow Airmen is something I’ll never forget.”
Moving Into a New Role
In July 2023, after over two decades serving the country, Chris retired from the Air Force and started the search for a job and a company that would benefit from his experience and allow him to continue serving others. With his background in logistics
liaison with a lumber company caught his eye. He applied with MANS Lumber, which has six locations in Michigan, and has been serving as dispatch and shipping liaison since.
“I appreciate and enjoy that my job also has a focus on customer service, so I can find that fulfillment in helping others,” Chris says.
Along with getting to serve others, Chris says his other favorite part about working in the independent channel is being viewed as a person rather than a number.
“MANS Lumber is an excellent place to work that has a long legacy of putting people first,” Chris says. “We are celebrating our 125th year in business in 2025.”
While his role at MANS Lumber aligns with his operational background from his time as a leader in the military, Chris also took away customer service skills from the Air Force that apply.
“I am able to understand customer service situations and help where I can,” Chris says. “I am able to help the team where needed and be flexible when it comes to jobs changing on the fly.”
Chris says that military veterans like himself are well-suited for the independent home improvement channel.
“Military veterans are resilient and hard workers and will do what it takes to get the job done,” Chris says. “Veterans have high standards and want to do the best they can everyday.”
ANDY HORTON
U.S. Air Force
Ziggy’s Home Improvement
After watching his father serve in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years and growing up in the military community, Andy Horton was determined to follow the same path for his own life. While he achieved his dreams of serving in the military, his journey wasn’t without a few bumps in the road.
“Originally, I wanted to be an F-16 pilot but my lackluster performance in high school created an obstacle for me, so I opted to go to college,” Andy says. “After two years working a full-time job and attending school full-time, my dad saw me struggling and introduced me to a recruiter who used to work for him. That got me started down the road.”
In April 1995, Andy joined the U.S. Air Force and served in active duty continuously until his retirement in May 2019. Starting with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Horton attended technical school at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, and served at his first permanent duty station at Yokota Air Base outside of Tokyo, Japan.
During his time in the military, Andy served at Air Force bases across the U.S. in New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada and Alabama and across the world in Honduras, Greenland, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, Germany and Italy. He also deployed to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan from January through September 2018.
When he first entered the Air Force, Andy was a meteorological and navigation (METNAV) systems technician, responsible for the maintenance of weather and navigation systems in support of flight operations.
In the early 2000s, the METNAV career field merged with a large portion of the ground radio specialty, transforming Andy into an airfield systems technician and adding ground-to-air air traffic control communications to his list of responsibilities.
“After about 18 years in this career field, I was selected to attend the First Sergeant Academy. After graduating, I became a first sergeant for the last five-and-a-half years of my career,” Andy says. “First sergeants advise commanders on the readiness, health, morale, welfare and quality of life of the Airmen and their families to ensure a mission-ready force. This job required everything from counseling to giving legal advice to disciplinary recommendations and more.”
During his time in service, Andy says his favorite part of serving was traveling the world learning about and living within many different cultures.
sales counter. Currently, Andy is in charge of keeping the store stocked with merchandise and maintaining the warehouse where excess inventory is stored.
Skills That Cross Over
Andy says his favorite part of working in the independent channel is helping customers.
“Every day brings a whole host of customers with a whole host of problems they need help solving. These problems can range from the very simple, like a list of materials, to the very complex, like someone wanting to build a deck with no idea where to start,” Andy says. “I enjoy working through puzzles and really like seeing people leave with smiles on their faces.”
While a job at a hardware store appealed to Andy because it was so different from what he had been doing in the military, he found that many of the skills he gained in the military were helpful in his new career.
Before he joined the military, Andy says he was extremely introverted and the military helped him break out of his shell.
“Even in the war-torn country of Afghanistan, there were great moments, like when I got to share tea with a carpet vendor and learn about his family,” Andy says. “I was stationed in eight different countries and traveled to many more. Each had their own peculiarities, and I enjoyed learning about each of them.”
The Next Chapter
After Andy retired from the military, the home improvement industry wasn’t a natural first choice. He initially took a year off from anything to decompress and enjoy a slower pace of life after the taxing responsibilities of the military.
“After about a year off, I realized that I spent the majority of my time cleaning my two-bedroom apartment,” he says. “While my apartment was spotless, I thought that there was surely something more productive I could do with my time.”
Horton started searching and applying for jobs online that piqued his interest, and a job at a hardware store caught his eye because it was so different from what he did in the Air Force and a great opportunity to learn a very different set of skills. Andy applied, interviewed and was hired at Ziggy’s Home Improvement in Spokane, Washington, as a loader in the lumberyard. He was quickly promoted to yard foreman and then transitioned inside the store, working the cashier stand and then the sales counter. For a year, Andy filled in as the human resources manager and then moved back to the
“While I would still not identify myself as extroverted in the least, I would say that I now have extroverted tendencies. While I do not seek to be anywhere close to the center of attention, I no longer shy away from people,” Andy says. “That is rather important when helping people is your primary business. While my tools of the trade are vastly different now, I would say that people are still my business.”
Andy’s time in the Air Force also taught him to be adaptable and flexible, as he often had to fill in for a variety of jobs where he had little to no experience but where no was never an appropriate answer.
“We were almost always shorthanded, but the job still had to get done,” Andy says. “You learn to be adaptable to different situations and flex to fill needs.”
Those skills of adaptability are found in most military veterans, making them an excellent fit for the home improvement industry, Andy says. Military service has taught them to be flexible out of necessity, and most veterans continue to carry those traits throughout the rest of their lives. Veterans can also be trusted to work independently and are great problem-solvers.
“Most veterans will surprise you with the ability to efficiently complete assigned tasks with little to no supervision,” Andy says. “Due to constant personnel shortages and changes and ever-changing environmental and mission changes, veterans have a great ability to identify problems and devise solutions to overcome obstacles in pursuit of mission accomplishment. Those skills don’t go away.”
JOHN AZALTOVIC
U.S. Navy Cole’s Hardware
Honoring a family legacy of military service, John Azaltovic served in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 2004 on submarines as a culinary specialist. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who served in the Navy as a SeaBee during Vietnam and both of his grandfathers who each served in the Navy during World War II on small gun boats.
During his time in the Navy, John served on the USS James K Polk, a slow approach Navy Seal delivery submarine, and the USS Montpelier, a fast attack submarine, both of which served out of Norfolk, Virginia.
As a Petty Officer First Class (SS), John says he loved getting to travel to other countries as part of his military duties.
“My favorite part of my time in service was the lifelong friends I gained,” John says.
with Best Buy, helping them open three new stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania over his nine-year stint with the company.
From there, he followed a recruitment call to Dick’s Sporting Goods where he spent another five years as a hardlines manager, merchandising multiple departments of the store and leading customer service.
“Then an opportunity came along to work for a very well-known hardware chain in central Pennsylvania that I had always loved shopping at,” John says.
He took the leap of faith and joined the Cole’s Hardware family, starting out as an assistant manager and customer service manager at one of the stores.
“I just love that when you work for Cole’s Hardware, you don’t feel like a number; my input actually matters to the company’s leaders,” John says.
After about a year, John took over as the store manager of the Danville location, which is where the company started back in 1883 under the guidance of J.H. Cole. Cole’s Hardware is still family-owned and now has 12 locations, stocking over 15,000 different branded items.
“I am very proud of the company I work for. It is that same proud feeling I had from my service in the Navy,” John says. “I love my job and the people I work with and for.”
One of the biggest lessons John has transferred from the military is how to be an effective leader and bring people along for success.
“Veterans show dedication, reliability and pride in self. They also have the ability to adapt and overcome any number of obstacles.”
—John Azaltovic, Cole’s Hardware
“I am not a boss, but I am a leader,” John says. “My team knows not to call me their boss, but rather, I want to be known as their coworker who just has a higher pay grade.”
Along with leadership attributes, John says military veterans bring a number of other employable skills to the independent home improvement channel that businesses are looking for.
“Veterans show dedication, reliability and pride in self,” John says. “They also have the ability to adapt and overcome any number of obstacles, all important qualities in this industry.”
JOHN WALLACE
Tennessee Army National Guard Wallace Distribution Co.
With the vision to create a successful wholesale hardware business, W.B. Whittaker, S.M. Holtsinger and D.M. Wallace chartered the Whittaker-Holtsinger Company in 1922 in Morristown, Tennessee. In 1932, D.M. became president, and in 1944, he changed the name to the Wallace Hardware Company, Inc. D.M.’s brother J.G. and his son John D. would follow as company presidents, and in 2008, John D’s son Doyle began serving in the role.
Along with being a household name in the independent home improvement channel, the Wallace family also has a legacy of service in the U.S. military.
The latest member of the Wallace family to serve in both the independent industry at Wallace Distribution Co. and the military is Doyle’s son John Wallace.
John has been a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard since 2010, serving as a Blackhawk pilot out of the Medvac unit in Knoxville.
“I’ve always felt a strong sense of duty to serve the wonderful nation we live in,” John says.
“The military teaches servant leadership, leading from the front and a genuine care for your soldiers. I’m thankful to have that experience.”
—John Wallace, Wallace Distribution Co.
Service Goes On
The camaraderie and brotherhood that have come along with his time in the Army National Guard are John’s favorite parts of serving.
During his time in the Army National Guard, John has also been a part of the Wallace Distribution Co., currently serving as vice president of operations.
and talented individuals. In many ways, managing soldiers during military operations is much like managing teammates in a business, with lower stakes,” John says. “The military teaches servant leadership, leading from the front and a genuine care for your soldiers. I’m thankful to have that experience.”
Those experiences make military veterans a good fit for the independent channel, John says, as they have been tested under extreme amounts of pressure and responsibility, and this exposure and general broadening allows them to bring tremendous value to the organizations they serve.
“My family has been serving independent dealers for over 100 years; it’s been an honor to step into that legacy and serve them as well,” John says. “As in the military, there is a deep vein of loyalty, trust and brotherhood within the independent hardlines market. Our market is filled with honest and hardworking people that support each other.”
John has found that his military skills also cross over, and says his experience has given him better judgment for how to earn the respect of those following him, how to challenge teammates to reach their full potential and how to support his team in stressful times, like peak season during a show.
“In my time as an Army officer and pilot, I was able to serve alongside many remarkable
“The military teaches many things, but I think that service members are generally going to understand how to contribute to a team, lead a team, work a problem from different perspectives, ignore the noise in a situation and get results,” John says. “I believe most service members are going to have experience with technology and administration that will aid them in areas they wouldn’t expect. I also think that specifically in the hardware channel, service members will fit right in with the hardworking and relationship oriented industry that we operate in.”
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MICHAEL WALLACE
Tennessee Army National Guard Wallace Distribution Co.
With the vision to create a successful wholesale hardware business, W.B. Whittaker, S.M. Holtsinger and D.M. Wallace chartered the Whittaker-Holtsinger Company in 1922 in Morristown, Tennessee. In 1932, D.M. became president, and in 1944, he changed the name to the Wallace Hardware Company, Inc. D.M.’s brother J.G. and his son John D. would follow as company presidents, and in 2008, John D’s son Doyle began serving in the role.
Along with being a household name in the independent home improvement channel, the Wallace family also has a legacy of service in the U.S. military. The latest member of the Wallace family to serve in both the independent industry at Wallace Distribution Co. and the military is Doyle’s son Michael Wallace.
Michael joined the Tennessee Army National Guard after graduating from high school in 2014 and served for six years.
“We have a number of veterans in our family, so that has always made me want to join and serve,” Michael says. “Ultimately, I love my country, and I wanted to serve it.”
“We have a number of veterans in our family, so that has always made me want to join and serve. Ultimately, I love my country, and I wanted to serve it.”
—Michael Wallace, Wallace Distribution Co.
Michael drilled at 278 Cavalry Regiment headquarters in Mount Carmel, Tennessee, and trained as a “68 Whiskey,” which is the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code for combat medic specialist.
“When I was going in, I remember my mom was pretty worried, and she told my dad to help me pick a job in intel so I would be safer,” Michael says. “I was looking at those jobs and couldn’t see how I would ever use those skills again, but when I looked at the combat jobs, I thought those were skills I could always use, even if I didn’t become an EMT outside of the military. When my mom found out I had picked combat medicine, she was pretty mad at my dad, but it worked out.”
basic but we did that course in two months.”
While he loved his time in the military, Michael says he knew he wanted to serve and then move to what was next, which was back to the family business, where he had been working since age 11.
“Whether I was washing trucks out on the farm or helping give birth to baby cows, I’ve always had a part with the company,” Michael says.
Now he serves in the same sales territory in the Knoxville area that was his grandfather Doyle’s territory when he was Michael’s age. Michael’s uncle Lynn Dawson and John also did a stint in this territory. Beyond the medical skills he gained from his time as a combat medic, Michael has utilized other skills in his role in the independent industry, including punctuality, efficiency, leadership and more.
Service Goes On
When it came to his time in the service, Michael says his favorite part was the routine, especially during training.
“You are definitely always tired at the end of the day and ready for bed, because you’re waking up early and you’re eating well and doing a ton of physical labor,” Michael says. “They squeeze a lot of activity in a short amount of time. For instance, it normally takes nine months to become an EMT
During his time in the military, Michael says he was able to learn under a number of excellent leaders and gain some important life lessons.
“There are just some fundamentals you learn in the military that you will never forget. For instance, you cannot be late. Growing up, I really struggled with being late and nowadays, when I’m late for something, it severely bothers me,” Michael says. “There was such an efficiency with the military, you learn to appreciate getting things done in your day-to-day life.”
KANE WILBANKS
U.S. Marine Corps Orgill
Unsure of what the future would hold or even what he wanted his future to look like, Kane Wilbanks turned to the military, joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 2017.
“The unknown really drove my motivation to join the Marines,” Kane says. “I was undecided on my education plans after high school, and this unknown phenomenon felt like a challenge that had to be conquered.”
Kane served in the Marines until 2021, working primarily as a purchasing agent and “holding billets” in several supply fields. In the military, a billet refers to a specific role or assignment, often fulfilling leadership or operational needs.
While being able to fulfill different roles was rewarding, Kane says it was the people he met and worked with along the way that made his experience truly satisfying.
“When I talk about my favorite part of serving, it’s always hands down the people,” Kane says. “The military as a whole is a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures and personalities that exposed me to so much more than the traditional small-town USA I grew up in. Everywhere I went, I met lifelong friends who I routinely still speak with.”
After hanging up his boots, Kane’s mother, Jennifer Gresham, introduced him to the independent home improvement channel.
“I hold great gratitude for the men and women who shaped me into the person I am today. The experiences I gained along the way have given me direction on how to handle day-to-day operations, stressful deadlines, difficult projects and so much more.”
—Kane Wilbanks, Orgill
“After my time in service, you could say she was the one who recruited me into my next chapter,” Kane says.
Kane is a sales representative for Orgill, serving the North Mississippi territory.
Just like his time in the Marines, Kane’s favorite part of being in the independent industry is the people.
“All of those skills go hand-in-hand with my current role,” he says. “I hold great gratitude for the men and women who shaped me into the person I am today. The experiences I gained along the way have given me direction on how to handle day-to-day operations, stressful deadlines, difficult projects and so much more.”
“It is hard to narrow my favorite part of the channel into one singular part, but it would have to be my relationships with my customers,” Kane says. “After spending hours together every week, these relationships develop into family-like friendships, as much as professional colleagues.”
The combination of working with a variety of people while in uniform and his job as a purchasing agent made the transition into a sales role with Orgill seamless, Kane says.
Military veterans are often looked at in a different light, Kane says, but he believes this is what makes them such an excellent fit for the independent channel.
“Veterans are disciplined, hardworking and subject matter experts in their respective fields. In this channel, I would say that is exactly what I would look for when seeking any role for a potential new hire,” Kane says. “These men and women have shown they have what it takes to learn and to be dependable and will continue to do so in this new channel.”
MICHAEL ALMEIDA
U.S. Marine Corps
Sunset and Co. Home, Hardware and Gift
Michael Almeida’s motivation for helping others is the undercurrent that brought him to serve in the military, and the fuel that drives him in his role in the independent home improvement channel today.
Almeida served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2002 to 2009 as a machine gunner after the events of 9/11 moved him to military service.
“My favorite part of serving was the bond I created with some of the most wonderful brothers I served with,” he says.
Transitioning into civilian life, Almeida struggled to find his purpose after serving in the Marines. Although he wasn’t sure the career path he would take, he was sure of two things: he did not want to carry a gun for a job anymore and he did not want to work in an outside trade job, as most of his young life was spent in a desert environment wearing weighted vests and other heavy gear.
In 2015, owners David and Amy Doyle of Sunset and Co. Home, Hardware and Gift, an independent hardware store in San Antonio, Texas, took Almeida in as an employee at their store, an act he says he is forever grateful for.
“David and Amy were extremely patient with me and allowed me to find purpose over the years,” Almeida says. “They inspired me with their care of their business, and they also helped me understand the benefit of listening and delivering solutions for the customers.”
Almeida found a true calling in serving customers at this level and saw the impact of his work firsthand through receiving handwritten notes, emails and reviews from customers showing their appreciation. Today, he serves as the regional hardware manager for the company, overseeing and building culture at three Sunset and Co. franchise locations.
“I think the ethos and values we gained from the military are instrumental in my leadership roles as I still learn daily how to improve in the civilian sector workforce,” he says.
The personality of military veterans and the sense of belonging to a unit versus a corporation are reasons Almeida believes make veterans an excellent fit for the independent channel.
“I am emphatic with the independent channel of retail and how we can compete at a national level against big-box chains,” he says. “The relationships we build are more valuable than the day-to-day transactions.”
“I think the ethos and values we gained from the military are instrumental in my leadership roles as I still learn daily how to improve in the civilian sector workforce.”
—Michael Almeida, Sunset & Co.
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