Demonstrating a commitment to veterans enhances your company’s image, showing that you value and support those who have served our country. Positive public perception can lead to increased customer loyalty and attract socially conscious consumers.
Veterans bring unique skills, leadership qualities, and a strong work ethic to the workplace. SAVE helps you attract, and retain highly qualified veterans, enhancing your workforce’s overall capabilities.
Supporting veterans fosters a culture of inclusivity and respect within your organization. Engaged employees are more productive and less likely to leave, reducing turnover costs.
You may qualify for tax credits and other financial incentives for hiring veterans.
Our virtual webinar trainings, newsletters, individual employee support and resources equip your team with the knowledge to effectively support veteran employees.
By partnering with SAVE, you join a network of businesses dedicated to supporting veterans.
Originally from Melrose, MN, Maria Yurczyk is actively serving in the North Dakota Air National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst. She has been in the Air Force for 14 years and is currently at the rank of E-7, a Master Sergeant. Throughout her childhood while growing up in a military family, she dreamed of carrying on the legacy of milit
Originally from Melrose, MN, Maria Yurczyk is actively serving in the North Dakota Air National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst. She has been in the Air Force for 14 years and is currently at the rank of E-7, a Master Sergeant. Throughout her childhood while growing up in a military family, she dreamed of carrying on the legacy of military service that her parents, grandfathers, and uncles had demonstrated. The Air National Guard has offered both personal and professional development for Maria. She describes her military service as “bringing opportunities to learn new skill sets, to engage in purposeful experiences, and to safeguard my community and my country.”
I had Seabee deployments to Guam, Spain, Kosovo (Operation Joint Guardian – original name of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) which was a NATO-led international peacekeeping mission, and Iraq (OIF)
- I was forward deployed on behalf of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) to Haiti to lead a DART (Disaster Assessment and Recovery Team)
I had Seabee deployments to Guam, Spain, Kosovo (Operation Joint Guardian – original name of the Kosovo Force (KFOR) which was a NATO-led international peacekeeping mission, and Iraq (OIF)
- I was forward deployed on behalf of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) to Haiti to lead a DART (Disaster Assessment and Recovery Team) following 3 hurricanes that obliterated the island in 2009
- I was assigned to Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (OEF deployment to Djibouti) from 8/11 through 2/13. Led all of the construction and HA projects in East Africa.
The HEROES program at Blattner can be a great support mechanism for Veterans, whether it be an onboarding buddy or someone to reach out to when things are tough – personal or professional. Likewise, it can be an educational conduit for those that don’t have direct military experience and how the two worlds really do intersect and interact.
The HEROES program can go a long way in helping leaders and managers recognize the value of military experience.
I was born in Brainerd; MN and I grew up in Kimball. I enlisted in 2015 and EAS’d 2020 as a Sergeant(E-5). Began my time as a 2821 Technical Controller and ended up as an 0631 Network Administrator. I was stationed in Okinawa Japan for 3 years and deployed to the Philippines for 6 months. The MARSOC unit captured one of the last ISIS flag
I was born in Brainerd; MN and I grew up in Kimball. I enlisted in 2015 and EAS’d 2020 as a Sergeant(E-5). Began my time as a 2821 Technical Controller and ended up as an 0631 Network Administrator. I was stationed in Okinawa Japan for 3 years and deployed to the Philippines for 6 months. The MARSOC unit captured one of the last ISIS flags in the Philippines while I was deployed there. I never really considered military growing up, but I wanted to challenge myself and get out of the Midwest. So, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to accomplish both. I enjoyed the education and training aspect of the USMC and all the great Devil Dogs I met while active duty. It was an amazing experience; it really opened my eyes to all the different people around the country and even around the world.
Hello I’m Joe Bartell. I hail from the Saint Cloud, MN area. I joined the Air Force in July of 1988. After basic military in San Antonio Texas, Technical schools in Wichita, Texas and Little Rock Arkansas I started my career there as a “Crew Chief” Aircraft Maintenance Specialist on a NC-130 with the 6514th Test Squadron at Hill Air Forc
Hello I’m Joe Bartell. I hail from the Saint Cloud, MN area. I joined the Air Force in July of 1988. After basic military in San Antonio Texas, Technical schools in Wichita, Texas and Little Rock Arkansas I started my career there as a “Crew Chief” Aircraft Maintenance Specialist on a NC-130 with the 6514th Test Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. Our squadron was the result of an effort to consolidate all Air Force unmanned aircraft (drone) development, procurement, testing and support activities into a single organization. In addition to that we performed support system development for the Navy (over the horizon backscatter radar for the Aegis Cruiser) and other advanced weapon systems testing for the Air Force out on the Nevada Test Range.
It was a great experience living in Utah as a young person. From hunting and fishing too golfing and skiing, there was endless outdoor activities to participate in Utah and other areas of the country I was able to travel to. I learned a lot of valuable lessons in the military such as devotion to your job and country and your team.
Eventually, I returned to central Minnesota to pursue my education and transitioned into the supply chain industry in 1996. Shortly after that, I also started my family. My wife, Gina, and I have two wonderful boys. Reed, a graduate of NDSU in Construction Engineering and works for Blattner as an Field Engineer and Brett, who is currently attending Montana State for Bio-Science Engineering and studying abroad in Argentina this semester. I am extremely proud of our sons. In 2019, I joined Blattner as a senior buyer and eventually ending up as a Sourcing Manager for Steel. I have enjoyed the challenges of the construction business over these last 6 years and hope to continue to grow my career here and also help develop others on my team.
A shout out to the Blattner Heroes Team for supporting out veterans here at Blattner and Quanta for making a difference to many of our veterans! Aim High!
Hello, my name is Lee Stevens, and I serve as the Building Services Manager at Blattner, based out of Avon, Minnesota. I was born and raised in Hibbing, MN, and after graduating high school in 1995, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
My military journey began with recruit training in San Diego, followed by the School of Infantry
Hello, my name is Lee Stevens, and I serve as the Building Services Manager at Blattner, based out of Avon, Minnesota. I was born and raised in Hibbing, MN, and after graduating high school in 1995, I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
My military journey began with recruit training in San Diego, followed by the School of Infantry at Camp Pendleton, CA. I then attended Marine Corps Security Forces training in Chesapeake, VA, where I received specialized instruction in physical security, and anti-terrorism.
My first duty station was in London, England, where our unit provided security for the U.S. Navy European HQ in downtown London. During this time, I had the unique opportunity to participate in cold weather training in Norway, train alongside 45 Commando of the British Royal Marines, and tour historic World War I and II battle sites in France, including the beaches of Normandy.
Following my assignment in London, I returned to Camp Pendleton and joined Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, serving as a squad leader in an 81mm mortar platoon. We deployed with the 13th MEU-SOC (Marine Expeditionary Unit – Special Operations Capable) aboard the USS Boxer, traveling throughout the Western Hemisphere.
After completing my military service, I returned to Minnesota and pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Medicine with a minor in Community Health. My high school sweetheart and I married in 2006 and settled in the St. Cloud area, where we are raising our two children—Gabriella (16) and Connor (13). I later earned an MBA from St. Cloud State University.
I remain actively involved in supporting veterans through the MN Warriors Ice Hockey Program and the Blattner HEROES initiative, which provides resources and support to veterans and their families. My hobbies include golf, hockey, hunting, and spending quality time with my family.
The Marine Corps instilled in me invaluable lessons in leadership, discipline, and work ethic—principles I carry with me every day. I’m proud to have served and to continue supporting fellow veterans within Blattner and the communities we serve as we work together to lead America to a clean energy future.
