These advocates work tirelessly to help veterans succeed in the civilian workplace. Get to know who they are, what they do, and how they advocate for the veteran community.
Tony Lona is a Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist at Sandia National Laboratories. He was a Gunnery Sergeant (E-7) in the Marine Corps, 1997-2014.
Champion’s Reaction:
“Earning this recognition is by far one of the most significant honors of my professional career. Being trusted to support our nation’s veterans and their families as they transition from service to corporate America is truly a profound honor. When you’re lucky enough to do what I get to do for our veterans you do not consider it a job, it’s truly a vocation. They have dedicated years of service to our beloved nation so others may live free and prosper. The least I can do is help them to achieve their next professional goals. We take care of our own!”
Champion’s Job Responsibilities:
Tony is Sandia National Laboratories Senior Talent Acquisition Veteran Recruiter. He focuses on providing local, regional, and national veteran talent work opportunities within his company.
Why Lona was nominated for the Veteran Champions of the Year in Corporate America Award:
Worked for two years and ultimately implemented DOD SkillBridge to Sandia National Laboratories. Program has been fully implemented in 2021 and is successful. Worked to bring and repurpose the Exceptional Warrior Career Development Program, a program dedicated to provide employment opportunities to combat injured service-members. Program has been fully implemented and successful in 2021. Led the company to earn its first Platinum Award from the U.S. Department of Labor Hire Vets Medallion program for demonstrated rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans; and more. Currently nominated for the 2021 the New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards.
