On Veterans Day, we salute all those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. It is a day to honor their courage, dedication and commitment to protecting our freedom and keeping us safe. At the Marcellus Shale Coalition, we also recognize the incredible values veterans bring to our industry. Many of our nation’s veterans transition into the energy sector, bringing with them the discipline, work ethic and leadership honed during their time in service to our country.
“We wouldn’t be the industry we are today without our military veterans serving in the oil and natural gas industry,” said MSC’s Dave Callahan at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce celebration of the 20 Years of Marcellus Shale.
Our industry values the skills and abilities that veterans possess. Adapting to new challenges, working as part of a team and leading with integrity are qualities that help drive the natural gas sector forward. In fact, veterans often play critical roles in our industry, in both technical and leadership positions.
Beyond these contributions, many veterans also support initiatives aimed at improving safety, sustainability and innovation within the natural gas industry. Their experience working in high-pressure environments and dealing with complex systems has equipped them to play key roles in advancing the technological and operational standards that make natural gas one of the safest and most reliable energy sources available today.
These commonalities are why so many in the industry prioritize hiring, supporting and sponsoring veteran organizations.
Take for example, MSC’s longstanding partnership with Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans (LCSDFV), an organization that is dedicated to providing service dogs to veterans who return home with PTSD, traumatic brain Injury (TBI), and other invisible injuries.
The MSC “was a pivotal advocate for LCSDFV’s participation [at Shale Insight], reflecting a deep commitment to supporting Veterans. By integrating organizations like LCSDFV into the conference, Callahan and the Coalition underscore their dedication to community engagement and honoring those who have served,” LCSDFV wrote in a blog post.
On this Veterans Day, we not only honor their past service but also recognize the ongoing contributions veterans make to the energy sector. Whether in the field or in boardrooms, veterans continue to serve, contributing to a secure energy future for all Americans.
Here are a few examples of how MSC Members support veterans:
Williams
Williams, welcomes and supports veterans and active service members through their employment opportunities. In fact, 1 in 12 employees report themselves as miliary veterans. They’ve partnered with various organizations and groups that support veteran employment, such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Hiring Our Heroes, Veteran Employer Champion. Williams has also been recognized by the Veteran Employer Network and selected as a VETS Indexes Recognized Employer for their commitment to recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans.
Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer donated $250,000 to help fund the Endeavors Fitness Center, a veterans wellness center that is ability-inclusive. The donation also supports efforts to provide integrated behavioral health and wellness to reduce suicide. They company also partners with Adaptive Training Foundation, a nonprofit, focused on empowering individuals with life-altering injuries, to which they donated $100,000 in 2022 to support the ReDefine Program which provides adaptive athletes with 9 weeks of customized training.
Other veteran-focused organizations that Energy Transfer supports include Carry The Load, Got Our Troops, Wreaths Across America, Helicopters for Heroes, Fisher House, 2×4’s For Hope, Delaware County Veterans Memorial Association, and K9s For Warriors.
Diversified Energy
As part of Diversified Energy’s community outreach efforts, the company sponsors and supports events that recognize veterans’ important role in the community, as well as supporting any recovery needs from their time of service. They sponsored Sojourn Counseling’s annual fundraiser, “Run, Ride and Rumble for PSTD Awareness,” supporting professional, medical and counseling services for veterans and others who suffer PTSD. Team members also assembled a mobile Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial replica and education center in Fayette County, PA last year and supported Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.
CNX Resources
CNX sees the competencies acquired through military service as easily transferrable to successful careers- 5% of their employees are military veterans. Like other operators committed to community initiatives, they support programs that help veterans. Last year, CNX Foundation provided 115 holiday meal boxes to veteran families across Appalachia.
EQT Corporation
EQT’s Foundation gave $5,000 to support West Virginia University’s Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic, which supports the legal needs of veterans related to their military service or return to civilian life. “EQT understands the importance of WVU law clinics to West Virginia, not only to the clients who benefit from pro bono legal services, but also to the students who gain experience by serving in the clinics,” said Ellen Rossi, manager of the EQT Foundation.
Range Resources
Range Resources established a New Veterans Fund with a $50,000 donation through the United Way of Washington County. The fund is intended to support programs and projects that actively serve the U.S. miliary veteran community within the chapter’s service area.
“The team at Range is excited to support local veterans. Our veterans have served our country, and it is nice to be able to support them in return,” said Range Resources’ Vice President Tony Gaudlip and U.S. Army veteran. “We are thankful for the support of our business partners who helped make this possible through participation of our fundraising efforts.”
Seneca Resources
Seneca Resources partnered with the National Fuel Gas Company’s VetFuel employee resource group to support veterans, having donated $2,500 to the PTSD Foundation Of America Camp Hope Facility and delivered household items donated by employees during a donation drive. Amongst volunteers was the company’s own, Vice President Kevin Lestage is a retired Captain from the U.S. Air Force, Space Command.
More recently, the company provided a grant to support the Veterans One-stop Center to help improve quality of life for veterans through various services including homelessness prevention, mental health support, employment assistance and benefits advisement.
Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Berkshire Hathaway Energy is a leader in supporting veterans and active military members for years, and was named a Military Friendly® Employer by VIQTORY for the 15th consecutive year, achieving a Gold rating for 2024.
“Military veterans and active service members provide many specialized skills, including strong leadership capabilities and incredible attention to detail, which are important qualities for employees within the energy sector,” said Scott Thon, Berkshire Hathaway Energy president and CEO. “We are proud to recruit and employ current and former military service members to serve Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s customers and communities.”
MPLX LP
MPLX LP, a diversified midstream company formed by parent company Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) who has been involved in many efforts to show support for veterans and members of active military. MPC employees and community members participated in the third Annual Spirit of Freedom 5K race, raising over $24,000 for Flag City Honor Flight, a national nonprofit dedicated to celebrating U.S. veterans.
MPC also supports U.S. VETS Long Beach, having participating in fundraisers like “Steps for VETS – Run, Walk, Roll”, to combat veteran homelessness. Over the years, they’ve supported the nonprofit through annual grants helping military veterans and their families obtain housing, counseling, career development and comprehensive assistance.
Coterra Energy
Through sponsoring Camp Freedom’s annual dinner last year, Coterra Energy honored disabled veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. The event achieved a new fundraising record above $200,000.
Camp Freedom Executive Director Matt Guedes and Founder Bill Bachenberg honored Coterra with the organization’s prestigious legacy award. This award specifically recognized Coterra’s donation of $1,333,333 into Camp Freedom’s Training and Events Center, a multi-year project to build additional educational services for veterans and first responders.
NRG Energy
NRG’s Patrol to Power program helps military personnel transition into the workforce via a paid internship at an NRG plant or at their corporate office. The company has also found a strong connection between their company values and armed services: safety and well-being, customer-focus, collaboration, diversity equity and inclusion, and accountability.
“Getting to come home a little early from my enlistment and getting that time back with my family has been absolutely amazing. I really appreciate my manager and NRG for making this possible for me,” says James Walker, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Patrol to Power recruit.
Thank you to all our veterans.
