Does your company actively recruit military veterans? Would you like to know more about how to tap into this valuable resource? Veterans have served our Country and given so much; let's do what we can to give back to them! Register now for this ISSA webinar on November 14, 2019 at 12 noon CST:

Webinar - Hiring Veterans / Giving Back to Those Who Have Served 

Meet the Speakers:

Andrea Biwer

Andrea Biwer is the executive director of the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving more than 600 business members including manufacturing, logistics, retail, hospitality, and business services. In 2017, Andrea created a new program through the Chamber’s Foundation to address the needs of local Veterans transitioning from the military to the civilian workforce. The Veterans program was also designed to assist businesses in filling open positions with qualified applicants by launching the Des Plaines Chamber Veterans Back to Work Boot Camp and a year later to go along with the program a Veterans Career Fair. Over the past three years she personally was able to raise over $500,000 for this cause. The monies were used to create an 10-week boot camp for selected Veterans who were chosen by local HR representatives in the region. She also solicited local Veterans who had already successfully transitioned to serve as mentors in the program. During the course of the program, each Veteran is required to perform service hours benefiting the community as well as attend network events. At the end of the boot camp, each Veteran graduate receives over $8,000 in career-enhancing gifts (a laptop computer, gift cards for food, clothing, shoes, car maintenance, a resume package and more). Since there were many more applicants than could be accommodated in the boot camp, Andrea created a Career Fair and educational session for local businesses on “How to Hire a Veteran”. Many of the Veterans who completed the program have new careers today. Andrea hopes to expand the Veterans Boot Camp nationally in 2020.

On November 2, 2018 Andrea Biwer was awarded the 2018 Influential Woman of the Year. The Influential Women in Business Awards are presented to outstanding women executives who excel in the business, civic and personal arenas by the Business Ledger – Daily Herald Media Group ad sponsored by National Association of Women in Business Owners.

On February 2, 2019 Andrea received a Certificate of Recognition from the Illinois State Senate, presented by State Senator Laura Murphy for her achievements on the Veterans Back to Work Boot Camp and has also received recognition from Tammy Duckworth and other prominent leaders commending the program and her achievements.

Laura Hanoski

Laura’s passion for healthcare and people started in middle school when she became a candy striper at a local hospital. She knew she wanted to devote her life to helping people. Laura went into nursing school after high school and spent six years at Aurora St. Luke’s and six years at Sports Medicine and Knee Surgery Center.

Laura was blessed to find a husband to be her partner in life and in business. Eighteen years ago they started Premier Medical Staffing Services. Premier is an industry leading staffing firm with a national presence. Premier Medical Staffing Services proudly supports our Federal Medical institutions with staffing support as well as offer job opportunities to our military spouses through the MSEP program (Military Spouse Employment Program).

While working with the Department of Defense and Veteran facilities over the past several years she discovered that having a healthcare job while in the service does not necessarily translate to the ability to obtain a healthcare job in the civilian world. Licensees and certifications do not match up. While organizations want to employ these talented and skilled men and women, Laura has realized they can’t until they meet civilian compliance regulations; This is where the “Gap” is. So, Laura started Heroes for Healthcare and is dedicated to bridging that “Gap” in order to support our veterans and help them obtain gainful employment in healthcare.

Chip Lutz

Chip Lutz works with leaders who want to lead better, get more done, and leave a legacy. A retired Naval Officer, under his command as Commanding Officer of two different Naval facilities, both his teams received national recognition for setting new standards of service while maintaining high morale and high retention among team members. He also knows about meeting critical objectives during stressful conditions – having served as the Director of Security for Naval District Washington, DC during September 11th, 2001 – where he was responsible for the safety and security of 25 thousand people on 6 different Naval installations in the National Capital Region.

Currently, Chip is the President of Unconventional Leadership and also the Past President of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor and the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Speaker’s Association. Chip has earned the Certified Speaking Professional Designation from the National Speaker’s Association.

With thanks to our webinar sponsor, Automated Business Designs