At Americold, we believe the experience gained through military service continues to matter long after active-duty ends. Every day across our facilities, veterans are helping lead teams, solve problems, support operations, and keep the global food supply moving safely and efficiently.
That is why we are focused on creating an environment where veterans feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to continue leading with purpose as part of a team that values their experience and perspective.
And at the center of that commitment is our Military Core Champion Program.
Americold’s Military Core Champions are veteran leaders and advocates across the business who help support transitioning service members as they explore careers with us.
Many of them have stood exactly where today’s candidates stand. They understand what it feels like to navigate uncertainty, translate military experience into civilian careers, and search for a company where leadership and service are truly valued.
Because of that shared experience, Military Veteran Core Champions can help candidates connect the skills developed in the military to real opportunities at Americold while also helping hiring leaders recognize the value veterans bring to the organization.
For Terrence King, General Manager at Americold, serving as a Military Core Champion is deeply personal because he understands firsthand how life-changing mentorship can be.
"My journey reflects the power of opportunity and leadership,” Terrence shares.
I’m from Georgia and was raised on a farm, and like many others, the military gave me the structure, discipline, and career change I needed to succeed.
Today, that experience shapes the way he leads and supports others entering the next phase of their careers.
“As a General Manager and a former leader of Soldiers, giving back and developing others is personal. It’s part of who I am,” he says. “I’m proud that Americold is recognizing that leadership doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.”
That belief is echoed across the Military Core Champion network.
For Ed Neukirch, General Manager at Americold, veterans represent an incredible source of leadership, experience, and potential.
“Veterans are an untapped resource that can bolster our workforce needs and add strong leaders to the company,” Ed shares.
But beyond recruiting, Ed understands the importance of connection during transition.
Being a veteran allows me to speak the same language as our new veterans. That translation and similar life experience can ease the transition from military life to a career at Americold.
For many service members, having someone who understands that journey can make all the difference.
For Adrian Guerrero, Director of Operations at Americold, becoming a Military Core Champion is rooted in respect for those who have served and a commitment to helping others succeed.
“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to support the people that have sacrificed so much for us,” Adrian says.
I have been fortunate enough to work with veteran leaders throughout my career and look forward to working with future veterans and helping them reach their goals.
Together, these leaders represent something larger than a recruiting initiative. They represent a support system built on shared experiences, mentorship, and service.
At Americold, veterans are not expected to start over. They are encouraged to continue building on the strengths, leadership, and sense of purpose they already carry with them.
And while the mission may look different than it once did, the purpose behind the work remains just as meaningful. Our Military Core Champions help reinforce a simple but powerful message to transitioning service members and veterans exploring their next chapter: You do not have to leave your leadership behind to build a successful civilian career.
There is a place for it here.