FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–November 10, 2014 Contact: Kim Morton (202) 463-5725

Afterburner, Inc. Named Finalist for 4th Annual U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes Award

Distinction for Small Business Who Demonstrates Overall Excellence in Hiring and Retaining Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, and Military Spouses

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced that Afterburner, Inc. is one of three finalists for the 4th Annual Hiring Our Heroes Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment. Afterburner is among the 22 businesses and individuals nominated for six awards because of demonstrated overall excellence as a small business hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.

“Afterburner has been a true small business leader in the movement to hire and support our nation’s veterans and military spouses,” said Eric Eversole, vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and executive director of Hiring Our Heroes. “Afterburner understands the value in hiring the men and women who have served our country and has dedicated extraordinary efforts toward improving the lives of America’s veterans and military spouses.”

The Hiring Our Heroes awards are given in six categories: Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; Post-9/11 Veteran Employment; Recovering Warrior and Military Caregiver Employment; Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring; Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment; and Individual Leadership. This year’s finalists are:

Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award, for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses: Capital One; Hospital Corporation of America (HCA); Ryder; Union Pacific Railroad

Post-9/11 Veteran Employment Award, for effective and sustained efforts to enhance the ability of post-9/11 veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment: The Home Depot; Lockheed Martin; USAA; Verizon Communications

Don Weber Recovering Warrior and Military Caregiver Employment Award, for demonstrated

leadership in addressing the unique challenges and demands for wounded, ill, and injured veterans as well as military caregivers in their search for meaningful employment: Deloitte; Anthony Odierno – JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Southwest Airlines; Volt Workforce Solutions

Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award, for demonstrated hiring, mentorship, and support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment: Military Officers Association of America (MOAA); Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.; USAA

Capital One Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment, for demonstrated leadership by a small business or organization (less than 500 employees) in hiring veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses: Afterburner, Inc.; Lock-n-Load Java; FASTPORT

Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment, for an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses: Frank Bisignano, Chairman and CEO, First Data Corporation; Derek Blake, Vice President of Marketing and Military Programs, La Quinta Inns & Suites; Chris Phillips, Military Recruiter, PNC Bank; CSM(R) Robert Van Pelt, Program Coordinator of Family Programs, New York National Guard

The winners in each category will be announced at the 4th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Dinner at the U.S. Chamber on November 12, 2014. The Hiring Our Heroes Awards Committee will select the winners.

Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the goal is to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day. To date, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 820 hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and Germany, helping 25,000 veterans and military spouses find jobs.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

HiringOurHeroes.org            @HiringOurHeroes           FreeEnterprise.com

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Hiring Our Heroes (HOH)1615 H Street, NW 

Washington, DC 20062-2000hiringourheroes.org