Integrity, a drive for results, and exemplary teamwork and collaboration are traits we see again and again in our military and veterans. This makes people who have served—and are serving—in our armed forces a perfect fit for PepsiCo.
Our commitment to providing opportunities to military hires isn’t just in the name of service—it’s because they contribute to the success of our business. We need inspiring leaders, motivators and innovators like our military and veterans to drive our business forward.
Sponsored more than 50 military community outreach events
8
Sponsored and served 8 “No Dough Dinners” in the Midwest
5,000
Racked up more than 5K miles to memorialize military members who lost their lives while serving our country
“The military community enriches our organization and strengthens our business in so many ways. In particular, the leadership skills gained through service are invaluable. That’s why PepsiCo is deeply committed to hiring veterans and active-duty reservists, as well as their spouses and family members, and building a culture that recognizes their contributions and supports their needs.”
Ramon Laguarta
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
“The military community enriches our organization and strengthens our business in so many ways. In particular, the leadership skills gained through service are invaluable. That’s why PepsiCo is deeply committed to hiring veterans and active-duty reservists, as well as their spouses and family members, and building a culture that recognizes their contributions and supports their needs.”
Ramon Laguarta
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
PepsiCo and VALOR
From our hiring and employment practices, to our community outreach and employee resource group, VALOR, we’re committed to supporting a successful transition from military to civilian life.
VALOR's mission is to recognize, appreciate and support military, veterans, their families and our communities and to strengthen PepsiCo's role as a leading military and business partner.
Rolling
Remembrance
Since 2015, PepsiCo employees have racked up more than 5,000 miles per year to memorialize military members who lost their lives while serving their country, and honor the surviving families.
In an annual cross-country relay, PepsiCo drivers—who are also U.S. military veterans—link their normal delivery routes to transport an American flag from Seattle to White Plains, New York. The month-long May journey raises money for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, an organization that provides children who have lost their parents in the line of duty with resources to help them receive a college education.
At each PepsiCo facility along the route, our employees, veterans and other members of the military community are invited to gather and commemorate the occasion. Rolling Remembrance is sponsored and organized by VALOR, PepsiCo’s military-focused employee resource group.
John Valdes spent nearly eight years active duty in the US Air Force, finishing as a Captain. He attended a hiring conference where he had an interview with PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay brand, and his civilian journey began as a Senior Sales Operations Manager.
Now, after joining the reserves in 2010, Major John Valdes is the Commander for the 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at the Grissom Air Reserve Base in Indiana. And he’s a Senior Supply Chain Manager for PepsiCo.
“Looking back, when I took the position with PepsiCo I looked at the company as a whole – not the exact position. I learned it was a great company, a market leader I could grow with. I’m not opposed to hard work and knew that by getting my foot in the door I had a solid position and could grow.”
Choosing a company that has opportunity for growth is important for any military person, John says, and finding mentors within the company is critical. John is the VALOR lead in the Heartland region, and he’s a mentor to veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce.
Brett Lucas
Director, Supply Chain Capability
Brett Lucas graduated the Air Force Academy and spent more than five years as an active-duty Maintenance Officer in the US Air Force. He came to PepsiCo’s Chicago office through the employee referral program in 2006, after holding production operations roles of increasing responsibility at two other Fortune 500 companies.
His contributions to his country didn’t stop. Perhaps one of Brett’s greatest contributions as a civilian has been his involvement in founding and launching VALOR, PepsiCo’s employee resource group for veterans:
“Leadership has been ingrained in me from my days at the Air Force Academy and throughout my career. I strive to grow others beyond their perceived potential; our career growth model at PepsiCo does the same. Diversity and engagement is one way we can really grow our business as well as grow future leaders. Several of us saw a place to create additional leadership and diversity for positive growth in our company – and it was just the right thing to do.”
Soon after he joined PepsiCo, Brett became an active mentor in a program that matches corporate employees with transitioning service members. Appreciating PepsiCo’s commitment to hiring veterans, he saw an opportunity to take the initiative further.
Thus, VALOR was born in 2010, and Brett was a founding member. Brett has received the Harvey C. Russell Chairman’s Award and a VALOR award from PepsiCo for his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He is now Director of Supply Chain Capability.
Jayme Vandermay
Sales Associate Manager
Jayme Vandermay was in the Minnesota Army National Guard before enlisting in the US Army for three years as a Vehicle Mechanic. He came to PepsiCo in 2007, starting as a Route Driver and working through four positions to his current title of Sales Associate Manager.
Jayme says the insight he gained from working his way up through military structure prepared him to be successful at PepsiCo: You have to prove yourself in the army, and you have to prove yourself in the company.
“The company gave me opportunities, and I’m very gracious. The benefit of going through those roles is immense. You come to understand what your employees are going through every day. And when you have that prior experience it goes a long way with your frontline employees.”
Because Jayme has been through the process from the bottom up, he shares his experience and mentors employees who are considering career paths at PepsiCo.
“It’s not easy, and sometimes you have to prove yourself. And I truly feel that’s a benefit. It’s a benefit for the individual when you can prove yourself and move up in a company, but it’s not only rewarding for that person.”
His contributions to his country didn’t stop. Perhaps one of Brett’s greatest contributions as a civilian has been his involvement in founding and launching VALOR, PepsiCo’s employee resource group for veterans:
“Leadership has been ingrained in me from my days at the Air Force Academy and throughout my career. I strive to grow others beyond their perceived potential; our career growth model at PepsiCo does the same. Diversity and engagement is one way we can really grow our business as well as grow future leaders. Several of us saw a place to create additional leadership and diversity for positive growth in our company – and it was just the right thing to do.”
Soon after he joined PepsiCo, Brett became an active mentor in a program that matches corporate employees with transitioning service members. Appreciating PepsiCo’s commitment to hiring veterans, he saw an opportunity to take the initiative further.
Thus, VALOR was born in 2010, and Brett was a founding member. Brett has received the Harvey C. Russell Chairman’s Award and a VALOR award from PepsiCo for his commitment to diversity and inclusion. He is now Director of Supply Chain Capability.
Lila Washington
Associate Administrative Assistant
After serving 11 years as a “storyteller” to support public affairs as a US Naval Reserves Petty Officer First Class Journalist/Photographer (now classified as a Mass Communications Specialist (MC)), Lila Washington found a career at PepsiCo in 2007 and realized she had an important story to share as a veteran.
“Veterans at PepsiCo are typically known for being responsible, disciplined, dedicated and hardworking, as well as having drive and ambition. In the military you’re always striving to reach the next rank, or you’re trying to do and be the best you can. That skill and mindset will help personnel tremendously here at PepsiCo.”
Looking for a company where she could establish and develop her career, Lila advanced to her current position as an Administrative Assistant at the Frito-Lay brand offices.
“It’s important to promote strengths and skills acquired in the military. Give yourself credit for experiences that many nonmilitary job candidates may lack. Military training taught me to be an effective communicator, and it taught me to work as a team member and as a team leader.”
Wanting to maintain the camaraderie of service, Lila helped found an employee resource group now called VALOR. She was involved with starting her local VALOR chapter and is currently a committee board member. Amongst the events she’s participated in through VALOR, Lila’s favorite is when veteran employees are served a meal each November.
“It’s gratifying to see the smiles on the faces of the team members when they’re recognized on the job as a veteran. It gives them a real sense of pride and accomplishment. Like them, I am proud to be able to call myself a United States Veteran.”
Noel Rodriguez
GM Market Director
Noel Rodriguez came to PepsiCo in 2010 as a Category Manager after seven years of service in the US Army. Joining the military after college as an Armor (Tank) Officer, he went on to deploy overseas and finished his tour of duty as an Operations Officer.
"When I received my first assignment I was handed the ‘keys' to my team," he said, explaining that with every job he was challenged and stretched to develop and build experience. Stepping into a category management job was very similar, he relates, saying he had to stretch himself: "I didn’t know everything, but I brought an attitude that I was willing to learn and lead."
Although he obtained an MBA while in the Army, Noel credits his military service with building his leadership skills. After advancing his career with those leadership skills, Noel is now a Market Director.
He’s also active in VALOR, PepsiCo’s employee resource group for veterans, and was previously the co-chair of VALOR New York where he led and planned events like VALOR’s participation in New York City’s annual Fleet Week, Veterans Day events at PepsiCo HQ, and other volunteer events in the community. For his efforts, Noel received the Harvey C. Russell Award, a PepsiCo award for creating a diverse and inclusive environment.
“The most important things for me at PepsiCo have been the people, network, and mentorship that I received from others in the company. Those mentors have been the most critical piece within my success here.”
Ryan Bragg
Sales Finance Director
Ryan Bragg is a Plans & Operations Officer in the Army Reserves and a Sales Finance Director at PepsiCo. He’s served in the military, active and reserves, more than 16 years and came to PepsiCo five years ago after completing his MBA.
Fortunate to have multiple offers before graduation, Ryan chose PepsiCo because of the people, saying the sense of collaboration, teamwork, and relationships amongst PepsiCo coworkers were the deciding factors. Not surprisingly, Ryan is an active member in VALOR, PepsiCo’s employee resource group for veterans, and currently serves as the National Field Co-Chairman.
“PepsiCo is necessarily a collaborative and highly cross-functional place to work, and both of those things remind me of the military. In the military, regardless of the branch you serve in, you depend on and work with many other branches. All branches are interdependent in some way; nobody is out there doing it by themselves and nobody can. Here in a matrix organization, we have those same types of interdependencies. They are a necessary thing to navigate but also become a competitive advantage, and people in the military are used to that.”
Rapidly advancing his career, Ryan has held five PepsiCo positions in three states in only five years while honoring his commitment to our armed forces.
While both of his careers are demanding, he says using technology to work remotely and recognizing that work life balance doesn’t mean every day is fully balanced make it possible. Ryan says the key to finding a balance is accepting that some days you need to lean in to work and others to home; some days you stay late at the office and other days you need to come home early to take the kids to the park.
Partnerships
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