Stewart Richey Construction joins Army PaYS program to support veterans
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Stewart Richey Construction, Inc. has officially partnered with the U.S. Army through the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program, pledging new opportunities for service members transitioning to civilian life.
The company formalized the agreement Friday with a signing ceremony alongside Lt. Col. Michael Johnson, commander of the Nashville Recruiting Battalion.
“This ceremony was all about Stewart Richey Construction becoming a partner with the United States Army in their PaYS program,” said Roddy Grimes, president and CEO of Stewart Richey Construction. “The meaning for that is partnership for your success. So it’s connecting America back with its soldier in way of opportunities for employment.”
The PaYS program links soldiers with civilian employers whose jobs align with their military occupational specialties. Grimes said the partnership gives veterans certainty as they transition out of service.
“When their training or their skill aligns with our need, we guarantee them an interview for that position,” he said. “So when they return from service and enter back to civilian life, they can do so with some certainty that they’re going to have opportunities.”
Currently, Stewart Richey employs four active Guard members in a variety of trades, from plumbing to HVAC. Grimes said the discipline and work ethic veterans bring from military service are strengths for the company.
“We know what we’re getting in that individual,” Grimes said. “The little bit of gap that might have to be taken care of would be any specialty trade license that needs to be gotten, but we give them an opportunity to have on-the-job training or even support them in additional training.”
As the first local business to sign onto the program, Stewart Richey hopes others in the community will follow.
“I would encourage other companies to look into this program and become a part of it,” Grimes said. “We would be happy to answer any questions anybody may have, but I think it’s huge for our community.”
