On September 13 and 14, 2022 Veterans Services staff members and department leadership gathered at the Zermatt Resort in Midway, UT for the 25th annual Veterans Training Conference. The conference is designed to help staff identify the best ways to help veterans access the services and resources they need to successfully transition into civilian life.

The Veterans Services team has a combined 200 years of military service which helps them relate to and help veterans in the community. 2022 milestones include:

• Connecting approximately 8,700 veterans to employment
• Assisting 148 veterans and spouses in obtaining licenses and certificates
• Placing nearly 400 veterans in training through the Accelerated Credentialing to Employment program
• Hosting 20 virtual job fairs and resume writing events

In addition to the training component of the conference individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve veterans in our community. Below are this year's Stars and Stripes and Eagle Award winners. 

 Chris Cook: Chris Cook exemplifies what it means to lead by example. As the connections and veteran team supervisor, he not only assists veterans, he also coaches staff to go beyond expectations when serving others. He was selected as an Eagle Award winner and this year's Stars and Stripes winner, because of his dedication to serving veterans.

Eugenia Aramomova: Eugenia shows her dedication for serving veterans by taking the time to meet them where they are at and support them through the entire process even if it takes a long time.

Sandra Jensen: In her outreach role, Sandy provides priority of service with the veterans she meets. She will do whatever she can to help veterans meet their goals, and is with them every step of the process.

Rachana Keo: Rachana supports veterans by helping them show their full potential to employers. She makes sure they are ready to impress interviewers and know how to negotiate for a salary that better reflects their worth.

Mary Schulz: Mary helped a homeless veteran named Jeff get back on his feet after becoming homeless. She did everything in her power to help him find a place to stay, sort out benefits and get back on track to being self-sufficient.