Stamford-Based Company Wins Award For Employing U.S. Military Veterans

STAMFORD, CT — The U.S. Department of Labor announced this week it has awarded the HIRE Vets Medallion Award to seven employers in Connecticut — including one in Stamford — for their support in recruiting, employing and retaining U.S. military veterans.

United Rentals, the largest equipment rental company in the world, is headquartered in Stamford at 100 First Stamford Place and earned the Gold Level HIRE Vets Medallion Award.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su announced award recipients during a ceremony at the department’s Washington, D.C., headquarters where awardees were recognized for supporting veterans and their families.

"Recipients of the 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award demonstrate a commitment to recruiting, hiring and retaining veterans as they help them develop meaningful, long-term careers," Su said, according to a news release. "From small-town businesses to Fortune 500 companies, these employers understand that veterans are uniquely qualified and dedicated employees who make significant contributions in the workplace."

The creation of the HIRE Vets Medallion Award program followed the 2017 signing of the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act.

In 2023, HIRE Vets Medallion Award recipients attested to meeting rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; and/or compensation and tuition assistance programs for veterans.

United Rentals says on its website that "a significant portion" of its workforce comes from a military background.

"If you are an active duty member, veteran, reservist or family member, you will find that United Rentals shares your commitment to serving others with dignity and respect. Our company’s values—strong leadership, teamwork, discipline, diversity and work ethic—align with yours," the company says on its website.

There are a number of veteran resources available from United Rentals, ranging from employment services and job training to housing and financial assistance.

United Rentals says it gives back to the military community through Turns for Troops, which assists injured U.S. military veterans by funding access to education, state-of-the-art rehabilitation programs and technologies that address combat-related injuries.

Through the commitment, United Rentals has donated $50 for every lap by IndyCar driver Graham Rahal, and has raised $1.12 million since 2016.

Additionally, United Rentals partners with the Fisher House Foundation in the U.S. and Valour Place in Canada. The nonprofits groups provide a network of comfort homes for veterans and military families receiving treatment.

Two CT employers won the Platinum Level Award: Eljen Corporation (Windsor), and Sonalysts Inc. (Waterford).

The other Gold Level Award recipients are: Jackson Ryan Construction Services Inc. (Suffield); Survival Systems USA Inc. (Groton); Command Holdings, a Pequot Company (Ledyard); and Eversource Energy (Hartford).