JOHN NO
Manager, Fraud
Overland Park, KS
theodore lee iv
matt easley
HR Project Manager
Stamford, CT
tinita "Tee" harris
HR Generalist
Charlotte, NC
New Mission, Same Dedication: How Military Veterans Make an Impact at Spectrum
On our team, "thank you for your service" is just the start. Meet four veteran employees who transitioned from the military to our Customer Operations team through the Hiring Our Heroes program and discover their tips for fellow veterans looking to build long and successful careers after the service.
The Hiring Our Heroes corporate fellowship is an immersive, 12-week experience that enables active-duty veterans to test-drive a civilian career. Since 2021, Spectrum has hosted 59 fellows through the program. Designed for mutual success, the fellowships give veterans hands-on experience while allowing our team to see their skills in action.
By focusing on both technical expertise and team fit, the program helps veterans find roles where they can grow, feel supported and build long, successful careers at Spectrum. Read about a few of our Fellows' experiences with the program below.
From tracking threats to fighting fraud – John No
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, John served for eight years in the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence Officer, analyzing complex information, assessing threats and advising commanders on what adversaries were likely to do next. Today, he leads a team in the Fraud department, investigating internal and external fraud threats that impact our Internet and Mobile customers. The mission may look different on the surface, but for John, the throughline is clear: he’s still focused on “finding the bad guys” and keeping customers and our business safe.
He credits his experience in Hiring Our Heroes for making his career transition almost seamless. His fellowship was spent working with the same team he now manages, so when he converted to full-time in April 2024, it felt like a continuation. His biggest adjustment was the culture shift in communicating with colleagues. The corporate communication style was much more nuanced than the direct approach he was used to in the Army; and, softening his delivery was essential to his success.
John’s advice to transitioning service members is to “Be open to new experiences and don’t discount your military skills. Leadership, analysis and operations all translate—your background is an asset, not something you leave behind.”
From nuclear operations to data-driven decisions – Theodore Lee IV
Theo served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, responsible for being mission-ready to launch nuclear weapons, a role rooted in discipline, procedures and deterrence. At Spectrum, he’s now a data analyst in Customer Operations, building dashboards and self-service tools that help leaders track performance and make informed decisions. His fellowship led directly to his current role, which meant Theo was performing analyst duties from day one.
The biggest change for Theo was the difference in creating community. He shared that in the military, “units function as tight-knit families;” in the corporate world, he had to be more intentional about building relationships and staying connected with others.
His advice to transitioning service members is to “Reflect on what brought you real joy in the military and look for roles where you can recreate those experiences. Hiring Our Heroes can make the job search easier by connecting you with companies already invested in military talent.”
Continuing service and support of others – Matt Easley
After more than 20 years as an Army aviation officer, Matt was ready for a new chapter. Today, he’s an HR Project Manager on the Talent Acquisition team and manages both Hiring Our Heroes and the college internship program for Customer Operations, work he began during his own fellowship.
His transition from fellow to employee was smooth; he received his full-time offer before his fellowship ended, giving his family peace of mind as they made long-term decisions about where to put down roots. Matt’s ability to manage talent programs and engage with senior leadership stems from his experience in strategic planning and delivering high-stakes military briefings.
Matt’s advice to transitioning service members is to “Keep an open mind but decide what matters most to you and your family before you transition out of the service, whether that’s location, type of work, schools or growth potential. Clarity on your priorities can make the process less overwhelming.”
Finding community and making an impact – Tee Harris
Tee spent 30 years in the U.S. Air Force, building a career in what she calls “the HR side of the flying community.” She tracked aircrew training and logistics, managed performance and awards programs, advised commanders and even worked for the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force to help coordinate high-visibility engagements.
After beginning her Hiring Our Heroes fellowship as a call center supervisor, Tee transitioned into her current role as an HR Generalist. Today, she supports Customer Operations leaders and employees, managing HR programs and helping employees navigate their careers. The soft skills she developed in the service, including clear communication, leadership and comfort collaborating with senior leaders, are central to her impact.
After her fellowship, Tee moved into her current role. She was drawn to Spectrum specifically because she’d heard how positive the hiring process had been for others. During her first year with the company, Spectrum continued that support by providing her with a dedicated veteran mentor.
One of her biggest surprises was having to rediscover her identity without the rank that once spoke for her. Her advice for other veterans is to “Give yourself grace—this is a whole new world. Recognize that you have choices now and exercise them intentionally. Choose joy and seek roles and environments that truly make you happy.”
Through Hiring Our Heroes, these veteran employees found meaningful post-service careers at Spectrum. Learn more about our military programs and connect with our team today.
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