In America, we all get to choose our line of work. We get to decide what to do with our income, and we get to vote for our governmental representatives.
Those benefits are luxuries we often forget. Without men and women willing to fight for our rights and freedoms, we would not have the same choices.
In May, CEC is celebrating Military Appreciation Month. With Armed Forces Day approaching this Saturday, we wanted to honor veterans and active-duty soldiers alike.
Many of our teammates served, or are serving, in the United States’ military organizations. Today, we are celebrating a few distinct individuals.
Charlie Williams, Corporate Scheduler
Charlie Williams served three years in the Army’s air defense artillery branch. He operated and supported anti-aircraft weapons to defend ground operations from potential attacks. His first post was in Germany, protecting America’s Ramstein Air Base and Landstuhl Medical Center.
He was also assigned to a rapid deployment unit in Fort Lewis, Washington. In the event of an attack on South Korea, he would have been one of the first Americans to arrive and defend that nation.
At CEC, Charlie helps create detailed schedules for all projects, providing better constructability review and efficient organization.
Wes Mayo, Infrastructure Senior Project Manager
Wes is a 30-year Army and reserves veteran. He served as an infantry paratrooper – “jumping out of perfectly good airplanes,” he said. He was an infantry drill sergeant and later became a first sergeant, civil affairs.
He served in Afghanistan as a member of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2011 until May 2012.
Wes’ eldest son Kyle is currently serving at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
At CEC, Wes leads one of our fiber cable installation projects in Montana, helping to bring high-speed, broadband internet to 45,000 people.
James Shell, Jr., Electrical Project Manager
James Shell, Jr., served in the Army for 8 years. He voluntarily deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he guarded high-profile detainees and provided security for visitors. Later, he served in an intelligence unit, where he expanded his capacity to plan, analyze, and think critically. He led his unit in military exercises to prepare for potential engagement situations. He also helped train and improve soldiers’ aiming and shooting proficiency.
At CEC, James is one of our lead managers on a high-profile project. The skills he learned during his military service helped him be a great leader. He anticipates potential issues and addresses them before they become problems.
Thank you to these three men, and thank you to all our other teammates with a history in the military. We want you to know your sacrifice does not go unnoticed.