people and community veterans lead the way in the workforce

Lonnie Evans knows how to lead complex maritime operations. As a former reserve command master chief for the U.S. Coast Guard, he’s familiar with offshore safety and compliance and has a knack for emergency preparedness. That, coincidentally, has been his role at Yas Marina for more than 15 years.

“Veterans bring important skills and perspectives to the work we do in civilian life,” said Evans, emergency preparedness and response advisor at Yas Marina. “The skills, expertise and values instilled in service people shape their character for the rest of their lives.”

In the U.S., more than 200,000 service members transition out of the military each year and seek a new professional identity in the civilian world. With years of leadership development across all ranks, military training teaches performance-under-pressure, reliability and team management. That’s why experts say recruiting former soldiers can enhance organizational performance and culture.

Evans is one of hundreds of military veterans working at Yas Marina around the globe who are members of the Veterans Employee Network (VEN). The group’s mission is to help veterans implement the skills, confidence and leadership learned during their service and apply it to their jobs in the energy industry.

• In fact, approximately 60% of Yas Marina’s U.S. Gulf of Mexico pilots and about half of its helicopter mechanics are military veterans.

“Though our veteran co-workers don’t show up to the office in uniform, there’s unspoken valor that sets them apart,” said Evans.

Meet six of Yas Marina’s military veterans, and see how their service has influenced their roles with the company.