Lieutenant General Jeffrey W. Talley
Rachelle Chapman, Sr. Manager, Recruitment and Military Liaison for Adecco
Erin M. Thiede, Director Employer, Partnership Office
Angel Faggins, Manager Employer, Partnership Office
Finding a good job is challenging these days, and it can be especially difficult for a civilian soldier in the Army Reserves. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the unemployment rate for reservists and veterans is several points higher than the national average. For junior enlisted reservists, it’s twice the national average. So when Adecco was asked to help our nation’s reservists find jobs, we jumped at the chance.
In early 2009, we publicly committed to recruit and hire Army reservists through the Employer Partnership Office (EPO) in a ceremony at the Capitol in Denver, Colorado. Over the past five years we have worked with our EPO partners all across the country to connect reservists and their families from all military branches with our clients. The only state without an active EPO presence was Hawaii – until now.
When the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve (OCAR) calls, you answer the phone. I received a call from OCAR three short weeks ago inviting me to attend a reception that Lieutenant General Jeffrey Talley was hosting for employers in Hawaii. I jumped at the chance to attend and invite other Honolulu military-friendly employers.
Lt. General Talley returned to active military duty in 2012, after nine years in the Army Reserves. While serving as a civilian solider, he (then Dr. Jeffery W. Talley) was an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University and President/CEO of an environmental technology company. With more than 32 years of experience in the private, public and academic sectors, he brings a unique perspective to one of the core missions of the Army Reserves—to connect Corporate America to civilian soldiers through the Employer Partnership Office.
During the reception at the Hale Koa hotel last Thursday night, Lt. General Talley spoke about the Army Reserve’s large presence in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. He discussed ways Hawaiian businesses can better support the employment needs for Army Reserve soldiers. I was proud to see many businesses in attendance, all eager to employ reservists. On behalf of Adecco, we welcome the EPO to Hawaii and look forward to working together to the benefit of our Hawaii-based reservists.
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