On November 11, 1918, World War I ended. The fighting stopped on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, and the seeds of what is now Veterans Day were planted. Like so many historic military moments, it became an important American tradition.

As the nation observes Veterans Day on Saturday, November 11, we honor the many veterans who have transitioned from military service into a civil service career at the U.S. DOT Volpe Center.

Nearly 10 percent of the Volpe Center’s federal workforce has served in the U.S. military. These individuals have held a wide variety of positions, from serving as a Green Beret with the U.S. Special Forces to working for two decades in the U.S. Air Force as a dental technician.

Volpe Center staff bring technical expertise in computer security, aviation, and contracting; while serving, they developed invaluable leadership and management skills, perseverance, and a global perspective.  

Meet some of the veterans who work at the Volpe Center and join us in honoring their contributions, then and now.

Brian Balzarini
Procurement Analyst, Office of Acquisitions | U.S. Army 

Kevin Clark
Chief, Aviation Facilities and Business Services | U.S. Navy

David Coombs
Security Specialist, Office of Facilities Management | U.S. Air Force

Kelly Curran
Management and Program Analyst, Aviation Safety Management Systems | U.S. Navy

Paul Fernandes
Information Technology Specialist, Safety Information Systems | U.S. Army

Eric Frykenberg
Chief Information Officer and Chief Data Officer | U.S. Navy

Michael Guyton
Lead Mail Handler | U.S. Army

Mike Griffin
Contracting Officer, Office of Acquisitions | U.S. Army

Peter Herzig
Environmental Protection Specialist, Energy Analysis and Sustainability Division | U.S. Marine Corps

Robert Hoaglund
Program Analyst, Infrastructure Engineering and Deployment | U.S. Army Special Forces

Wayne Ludwig
Lead Security Specialist, Office of Safety, Security, and Administration Support | U.S. Army

Seamus McGovern
Electronics Engineer, Aviation Systems Engineering | U.S. Navy

Ian Meisner
Human Resources Specialist, Employee Relations and Labor Relations | U.S. Army

Gary Morissette
Contracting Specialist, Office of Acquisitions | U.S. Navy

Carmen Rickenback
Executive Assistant to the Volpe Center Director | U.S. Air Force

David Sawin
Program Manager, Infrastructure Engineering and Deployment | U.S. Army Reserves

Alison Thompson
Transportation Industry Analyst, Systems Safety and Engineering Division | U.S. Army

Steve Weinacht
Common Operating Environment Manager, Information Technology Division | U.S. Air Force

Walter Zak
Operations Research Analyst, Safety Measurement and Analysis | U.S. Coast Guard

Ruth Zhang
Communications Specialist, Office of Communication and Knowledge Management | U.S. Army Reserves