VETERANS FIND A NEW FRONTLINE IN LOGISTICS VETERANS
for the company to evaluate him without any nancial risk. “At the conclusion of the fellowship, Evans offered me a job, and that seemed like the best place for me to ourish,” Shamsi says. Shamsi used his experience in project management and organizational design to identify the need for a division at Evans to pursue government services contracts. He hopes to offer other veterans similar fellowship opportunities through the transition programs. “I’ve learned over the years that if you take care of people, they take care of the mission,” Shamsi says. While he gained ample knowledge about leadership and logistics along the way, perhaps the most critical ability he acquired through his military service was “being comfortable in the uncomfortable,” he says. That, he adds, is a crucial skill for every professional in the the fast-paced, high-stakes world of logistics. BRINGING A SENSE OF PURPOSE TO CIVILIAN LIFE MARYCLARE KENNEY CSX TRANSPORTATION After nishing seven years as a pilot in the Army, Maryclare Kenney traded helicopters for trains. Today, she serves as vice president of intermodal and automotive for CSX Transportation. She participated in ROTC to help pay for college and became a Black Hawk helicopter pilot. Then, she earned her master’s degree and transitioned to a civilian career. After working for a large consumer packaged goods company for several years, she looked for a career with deeper meaning. “The sense of purpose that I had in the Army was missing,” she says. “It’s not exactly the same as the military, but I do feel at CSX that we have an impact on the economy and the broader business world.” She credits her military experience with preparing her for a position in the transportation industry.
Evans Transportation, a logistics provider based in Dela eld, Wisconsin, has found success using the SkillBridge program to offer internships to veterans transitioning to civilian employment. “The program gives veterans exposure to the supply chain, our internal processes, and the value we bring to our partners,” says Phil Wenzell, chief network of cer for Evans. “It’s a hands-on way for us to explore where their skills t and for them to determine whether our industry is the right place for them after being discharged.” While programs to hire veterans grab the headlines, retention can be challenging. Research shows more than 40% of vets leave their rst post-military job within one year. That’s why Melton Truck Lines focuses as much effort on retaining truck drivers as it does on hiring them. Their veterans tend to stay on the job longer than the average driver, according to David Harper, Melton’s military program supervisor. “Our veterans have a willingness to stay through the ups and downs, the hard times; they don’t shy away or back down from a challenge,” Harper says. “They’re willing to stick with it because they know that success and wins can come on the other side.” To better understand how this transition plays out in the supply chain world, we spoke with three veterans who’ve successfully made the leap—and are now helping others do the same. TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE AND THE MISSION JEFF SHAMSI EVANS TRANSPORTATION Evans Transportation, provider based found program to transitioning Evans provider has found program
While in combat, he gained an appreciation for logistics in a hostile environment. He stayed in the Army, taking command of a forward support company responsible for last-mile delivery to soldiers in the eld. “In the ri e platoon, we were at the last mile of delivery needing sustainment,” Shamsi says. “So, I decided to stay in the Army and deliver logistics in combat.” He rose through the ranks, designing transportation and distribution networks for theaters of war, and concluded his military career at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, where he taught logistics to eld- grade of cers. Shamsi made the transition to civilian life through the Army Career Skills Program and the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program. Through the transition program, Shamsi created an executive fellowship with Evans Transportation, thanks to support from CEO Ryan Keepman and Phil Wenzell, chief network of cer. The Department of Defense paid his salary during the experience. The fellowship allowed him to try working at Evans and While in combat, he gained
Jeff Shamsi, vice president of government services for Evans
Transportation, was a sophomore at the University of Florida during the September 11 attacks. That incident spurred him to add Army ROTC to his curriculum. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and he served in Iraq as a ri e platoon leader.
146 Inbound Logistics • July 2025
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