At L&P, our employee resource groups (ERGs) are communities where our colleagues can learn and grow together. We recently launched Valor – an ERG dedicated to creating a strong community that fosters belonging, support, and engagement for our employee veterans, military families, and allies.

To celebrate Valor’s launch and growth, we’re sharing members’ stories. This month, we’d like you to meet Kenny Gay! We talked to Kenny about his career at L&P, military experience, and why he joined Valor.

Tell us about your career at L&P.

I joined L&P as Receiving/Costing Manager for the Winchester Steel branch in January of 2000. Within a year, I became Compliance Manager for the Winchester Steel and Georgetown branches. The following year, I was promoted to EHS Director and Corporate Loss Control Engineer for our Bedding business. After a leave of absence, I returned to L&P as Corporate Loss Engineer, serving as a liaison for our Hume Furniture business and some of our ECS branches. I was later promoted to my current role, which is Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager for Furniture in North America.

During my time with L&P, I’ve visited many international branches – including facilities in South Africa, Uruguay, China, Croatia, Holland, England, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil – to provide EHS assessments and improvements.

What would you like to share about your military experience?

I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserves.

I joined the military on October 10, 1988. After I got out of basic/AIT (Advanced Individual Training), I went to several schools while on active duty until I transitioned to the Reserves in June of 1999. Next, I had a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to an Army Reserves unit in Lexington, KY. Then, I received a PCS out of the Reserves in June of 2004.

While in the military, I visited many countries and regions such as Korea, Mt. Sinai in Egypt and the Middle East, Panama, Germany, Italy, Israel, Greenland, Switzerland, and Austria.

While serving, I saw some combat. I was very proud and honored to be a part of that experience because I deemed it a service to make the situation better.

What motivated you to join the military and what did you learn from your experience?

I joined the military because I was burned out on sports. I met a recruiter who asked me if I would like to get an education while getting the opportunity to travel the world and I did! The discipline and structure I gained from being in the military prepared me for the civilian world. Military service taught me that nothing is given – you must earn everything you seek to be really good at and with work comes reward!

Why did you join Valor?

I joined Valor because the transition from military to civilian life is hard unless you have someone to help guide you. I joined so our loved ones could have a liaison that they can reach out to when they need help or guidance. I want to help with the transition experience – to make things better for veterans and family members while they’re adjusting to the civilian world.

A military career and civilian life are two different worlds, but there is a common goal to succeed.

Thank you, Kenny, for your service, for sharing your experience, and for helping strengthen Valor’s community!