Honoring Our Veterans
Veterans Day is a time to honor all who courageously sacrificed for our country through service in the armed forces. Today, we recognize and celebrate the veterans among us, as well the families of service members working in the professional services industry. We recently spoke with two of our professionals and members of BDO’s Military and Veterans inclusion group who reflected on Veterans Day and what it means to them. Read on for their stories below.
.png "Veterans-Day_Web-Headshot_Jennifer-(002).png") |
Jennifer Brown, Assurance Quality Management National Director |
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
To me, it means taking the time to acknowledge and thank former (and current) members of the armed forces and their families for their sacrifices and service to this country.
Veterans Day means a bit more to me this year as my family is in a phase of transitioning out of the military life and settling into our new normal. My husband recently retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years as a lieutenant colonel. This will be our first Veterans Day celebrating him as a veteran!
Military life can be fun, exciting and full of struggles. I’m learning that transitioning out of that way of life is a journey, too! While I won’t miss deployments and not knowing when or where we’ll move next, the camaraderie and friendships we have made along the way are priceless.
What does it mean to you to be a veteran or loved one of a veteran in the accounting profession?
As a former military spouse, I am very thankful that I was able to continue my career as we moved from one duty station to the next. I appreciate the support of my colleagues at BDO when I had to pick up and move suddenly and when I was parenting alone through deployments. I’ve also learned a lot from my time as a military spouse that helps me in my career today — like staying centered through times of constant change and finding balance when juggling competing priorities.
What do you appreciate about BDO’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?
I love that BDO is a place where I can work with people from all kinds of different backgrounds. I appreciate that BDO provides forums that encourage people to connect through what they have in common and learn from each other. I also truly appreciate the support BDO provides through its BDO Flex strategy.
.png "Veterans-Day_Web-Headshot_Tim-(002).png") |
Tim Trickett, Public Sector Chief Technology Officer |
What does Veterans Day mean to you?
Veterans Day is an opportunity to celebrate and thank those who served for their service, sacrifice and contributions to national defense. As a service-disabled veteran, I usually spend the day connecting with old friends and reflecting on memories from my time in the service.
What does it mean to you to be a veteran or loved one of a veteran in the accounting profession?
Though I’m not an accountant, my military service provided me with a strong foundation from which to build a career in the technology field. The Army taught me how to be a leader and I’m a firm believer in the motto “Mission First, People Always.” It’s the right balance of getting the job done and taking care of your people.
What do you appreciate about BDO’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)?
BDO's consistent and unparalleled focus on DEI can be seen in practically every aspect of the business, most notably with the firm’s strategic plan, CLIMB. BDO not only recognizes DEI, but is committed to it, and I especially appreciate this type of dedication and deliverance.
SHARE