More opportunities in the New Year

The silhouette of yet another battered and crippled year fades into the horizon, long unkempt beard fluttering behind him, while the bouncing baby's incessive and demanding scream greet the New Year.

Yes, that time of year is upon us - it's hard to believe 365 days are behind us but it's out with the old and in with the new. The Employer Partnership Initiative ended the year strong and like you is on to bigger and better things.

At the end of 2008, Grailing Jones, a retired Marine and the national executive director; strategic sourcing at Schneider National, Inc., one of EPI's partners, took a tour of the 416th Theater Engineer Command in Darien, Ill.

After the tour and a short brief on the Army Reserves, Jones took Col. Ron Bacci, the local Program Support Manager for EPI and 416th leadership to Schneider's new facility nearby in Chicago."It was great having a Marine visit the 416th TEC last week," said Lt. Col. Donald Gardiner, executive assistant, command group and command provost marshal. "We look forward to a long and worthwhile friendship with Schneider National."

The visit went off so well, Jones will represent Schneider National at the Command's NCO Summit in Dallas, Texas, January 22 -25.This means more opportunities for both our Soldiers and Employer Partners in the New Year.

At the summit, Schneider will give a presentation of the company's history and career opportunities with the transportation company. The company's "Ride of Pride," military unit will be present and (Ret.) Sgt. Vince Hagen, a driver for Schneider, will be available to answer Soldiers questions about the transportation industry. The company's Dallas Operation Group will also provide a tour and open house of its operation center.

When we foster these types of relationships with our Employer Partners it makes the difference between an agreement and a true partnership, said Sgt. Maj. Nelson Ildefonso. EPI is considering an FTX for Employer Partners in the spring or summer."If our Employer Partners meet our Soldiers they will like them and hire them - our Soldiers sell themselves," Ildefonso said. If you'd like more information on the NCO Summit in Dallas please

contact:
Lt. Col. Donald GardinerExecutive Assistant - Command Group and Command Provost Marshal
416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC)
10 S. 100 South Frontage Road - Room 212Darien, IL 60561-1780
Toll Free: 800-315-6327 ext. 184(630) 729-4099 ext. 184
Donald.Gardiner@us.army.mil