Category Archives: Veterans

Learning Life Lessons as a Military Spouse

Andrea Dold is an Audit Project Supervisor at L&P. She is a busy mom to daughter Sarah, enjoys traveling, and loves to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She is also a military spouse.

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day in the U.S. – a day when many take time to acknowledge the sacrifices and support provided by spouses of service members.

Andrea has fully committed to supporting her husband, Scott, as he builds his career in the U.S. Air Force. For their family, this has meant relocating every few years as his flight-testing role requires.

Luckily, Andrea has also been able to develop in her career in Internal Audit. She was first drawn to Leggett & Platt in 2010 for the opportunity to travel and work with people across the world.

She has been able to do just that, and she has also learned a few lessons along the way.

What have you learned as a military spouse?

Throughout our marriage, Scott and I have lived in Germany, California, Washington D.C., Oklahoma, and will soon be moving to Las Vegas!

I used to be more reserved around people, but moving every 1-2 years and starting from scratch has taught me to come out of my shell and develop friendships wherever I am.

Admittedly, sometimes it can be hard to make friends as an adult, but I always challenge myself to venture out to new settings and introduce myself. I work to find commonalities in people, and it has been so rewarding.

No matter where you’re living, it’s the people that can make a new place feel like home.

How has L&P supported you throughout your career?

The greatest benefit by far is the ability to retain a career despite moving with my husband’s job. I am incredibly thankful that my team has been supportive and flexible throughout my many moves.

I’ve worked in a lot of different time zones, and my managers have always been accommodating. Quite frankly, L&P has been the most constant thing in our lives during many seasons of change.

May 06 2022
By Life@Leggett

Opening Doors for the Military Community at L&P

Summer Steelman had big dreams for her life: She wanted to become a dancer and was even scheduled for several auditions on Broadway. But after the events of September 11, 2001, her plans changed.

“After 9/11, I decided to join the military. I became a Linguist, or a translator, in the Air Force and served for five years,” she explains. She originally planned on serving in the military for her entire career, but an injury prevented her from doing so.

When she was stationed in Hawaii, she met her now-husband, Matthew, who was also serving in the Air Force. Matt continues to serve today, marking 19 years of active duty.

When Summer decided to go back to school, her grandfather encouraged her to find out what she was most passionate about and pursue it as a career. “My grandfather, a WWII veteran, my hero and mentor, gave me the push I needed to search for my path,” she says.

Summer and her grandparents after her graduation from basic training.

After several different career assessments, she decided to get her degree in psychology. Not only did she enjoy the counseling aspect of her degree, but the career counseling aspect in particular. This led to a job at her university’s career office, where she became interested in participating in career fairs, giving resume advice, and helping students find jobs.

“All this led to my search for a job where I could focus on recruiting full-time,” she explains. “I’m thankful that I found my path and now get to help other veterans and military spouses find their dream jobs.”

As a Talent Advisor at L&P, Summer is passionate about making career resources more accessible to the military community.

“I’m very excited to be part of a team that is open to hearing my perspective as a veteran and military spouse,” she said. “I get to use my personal experience to help improve our recruitment efforts for the military community as well as improve access to resources for them.”

Summer also encourages veterans and military spouses who are looking for career support to reach out to their fellow military community. “It can feel overwhelming to navigate the Transition Assistance Program alone,” she says.

The Transition Assistance Program, or TAP, is a government program that provides those leaving military service with information, tools, and training to prepare them for civilian life.

“My advice would be to talk to other people that have gone through it and take advantage of the resources available to you. You’re not alone – there are people who want to help you take the next step in your career.”

May 04 2022
By Life@Leggett

No-Sag Recognized for Veteran Hiring Practices

Over its 72 years in Kendallville, Indiana, L&P’s No-Sag Products facility has had a reputation of welcoming and working with veterans and active duty military. In fact, their workforce makeup is comprised of around 8% military employees.

Two weeks ago, the facility was proud to accept the 2020 Northeast Indiana Manufacturers’ Workplace Diversity Award. The award recognized their dedication and commitment to diverse and inclusive hiring practices.

Over the years, the facility has been recognized several other times for their hiring practices and dedication to veterans. On November 7, 2019, No-Sag General Manager Russ Dunton, and Jason Maneke, Human Resources Manager, accepted the Hire Vets Medallion Award from Deputy Secretary of Labor Sam Shellenberger in a ceremony at the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.

“Vets have a skill set that gives them a leg up,” said Dunton. “Veterans are disciplined, receive training well, and are on time.”

In 2008, the facility was also honored with the American Legion Certificate of Appreciation from the National Economic Commission of the American Legion.

No-Sag has provided jobs to veterans from World War II to the latest conflicts in Afghanistan. One of those employees was Sam Crossley, who started with the company in 1961. Crossley and his wife Linda were both longtime employees at the facility. Sam retired as a shift supervisor in 2008, after working there for 47 years. Linda continued to work part-time in the front-office. She shared that No-Sag was very supportive when Sam was drafted to go to war during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from active duty, his job was still waiting for him.

“We are like one big family here,” she said.

“They have been good to me,” said Tim Knox, a current employee and Army Veteran. “For a matter of fact they are good to all veterans. When I went to reserve status for the Gulf War, they were really supportive.” Continue reading →

Nov 09 2020
By Life@Leggett

The Hire Vets Medallion Award

Jason Maneke & Russ Dunton

Earlier this fall, our No-Sag Products branch in Kendallville, Indiana, earned the Hire Vets Medallion award – a national recognition for hiring, training, and retaining veterans in the workforce.

Over the past 12 years, the branch has held a company picnic to recognize veterans and commemorate the September 11 anniversary.

Nominees for the award are evaluated on their veteran hiring practices, percentage of veterans in the workforce, training, education and other services offered to veterans and support of active duty veteran employees, among other criteria.

After being nominated by the local Indiana WorkOne Veterans Representative, Russ Dunton, General Manager, and Jason Maneke, HR Manager, accepted the award from Deputy Secretary of Labor Sam Shellenberger in a ceremony at the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.

Congratulations to everyone at No-Sag Products!

Dec 04 2019
By Life@Leggett
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