Veterans Day is the U.S. holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. It is with the utmost respect that we highlight some of those who have served, and who continue to serve our communities through their work at FlexGen. This really is a time to thank and honor ALL who have served, but particularly the veterans among us as friends, coworkers, and family.

We at FlexGen are so proud of the many veterans that support FlexGen every day. In fact, our company was founded by veterans, and about 10% of our current workforce has served in the military. Their leadership and mission-driven spirit are essential to our success. We would like to acknowledge a few of our veterans and how they are contributing to FlexGen and the clean energy transition…

Veteran Spotlight – John Powers

John Powers is currently a Software Engineer II, working on the Full Stack Software Engineering team focusing primarily on the back-end tasks at hand.

John was on Army Active Duty for 6 years and Army National Guard for 4 years. In the military he worked in “line” infantry and later in long-range reconnaissance and surveillance. He left the Army as a Staff Sergeant (E-6). While in the National Guard, John was able to support training events abroad including the Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland, Australia.

Veteran Spotlight – Robert Brasher 

Robert Brasher is on the Systems Engineering team at FlexGen, and is currently in the role of Electrical Engineer. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 8 years and 7 months and was an E-5 (Sergeant) when he separated from service.

In the Marine Corps, Robert was a weather forecaster. After getting out, he attended school to become an electrical engineer, where he focused on Power Systems. Prior to FlexGen, Robert was a Substation Design Engineer for two companies, with approximately 2.5 years of experience.
When asked what made him feel FlexGen was a great place for veterans, he responded “Of the companies I have worked for since separating from the military, FlexGen is the only company that observes Veterans Day as a holiday.”

Veteran Spotlight – David Sills

David joined FlexGen in August of 2021 focusing on commissioning BESS systems across the US and abroad. He is currently a Field Engineer for our C&I clients, supporting the commissioning of systems in the field and ensuring they are ready to be handed over to our clients. David is also helping to build a service desk portal for customer requests.

David joined the Navy after high school as a Sonar Technician Surface focusing on the Mark 116 Fire Control Systems for anti-submarine warfare. David was deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2000 and 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, receiving several awards and commendation medals while serving.

David earned the status of Surface Warfare Specialist on his first deployment to the Middle East. He later worked in the oil and gas industry for 17 ½ years giving him valuable experience in the energy space that has helped him in his current role. When asked what made him feel FlexGen was a great palace for veterans, he responded, “The excellent quality of life in relation to work/life balance. Veterans are being recognized for their contributions in the military and on the job here at FlexGen.”

Veteran Spotlight – Robert Hamilton

Robert was a Lead Flight Deck Communications technician on the USS Constellation from 1999-2003. He was trained in advanced electronics, RADAR, and communications. He deployed three times. First, in Operation Southern Watch (Peacekeeping) second, in Operation Iraqi Freedom (Combat) and thirdly, in Operation Enduring Freedom (Combat).

Robert worked as a Defense Contractor in San Diego after the Navy and  graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 2011 with BBA in IT Infrastructure and Business Ops. He returned to NJ to continue as a Field Engineer for companies such as NCR, Eaton Hydraulics, and the Danaher Corporation.
Robert is currently a Field Project Engineer as a member of the Field Commissioning Team where he supervises procedures around equipment being brought up to power properly, participating in testing and repairs as needed to see the project through to completion.

His remarks as to why FlexGen has been a good place to work, “Inclusion, and a sense of purpose, being a part of something bigger. Many members of the commissioning team are veterans, and we share common values, ethics and tend to work well together through shared experience. It really helps when there is a crisis and you and the guy next to you can speak the same language and can trust each other to get the job done.”

Veteran Spotlight – Mike Borths

Mike served in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Officer-Captain and has served 5 years with the Texas Army National Guard. He was deployed Oct ’06–Jan ’08 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Using the GI Bill, he earned a 2nd Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain and Logistics Technology and worked 3 years as a Material & Logistics Coordinator with Murphy Oil Corp and 3.5 years as a Senior Logistics Specialist at Haliburton.
He currently has the role of Sourcing Lead with the Procurement and Logistics team here at FlexGen.

When asked why he feels FlexGen is a great place for veterans he replied, “First, I believe FlexGen really does have a ‘Team’ mentality. I don’t think anyone gets very far in the military without tapping  into the experiences and lessons learned of others or listening and accepting the ideas of colleagues up and down the ranks and that is carried over to FlexGen. With a significant portion of the workforce being remote, a good amount of trust is placed in FlexGen employees. I feel a lot of people, but especially Veterans, thrive when they are entrusted to complete a task, their ‘mission’, and people are depending on them. In the military, I was taught that Great Leaders make everyone around them better and I try to deliver on that every day.”

Veteran Spotlight  – Tara Jo Sealander

Tara Jo Sealander began her military career in High School with NJROTC (Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) continuing through college where she spent more than a decade in some form of military training. She then served in the Navy on the USS O’Kane out of Pearl Harbor.

Tara Jo has utilized the many skills and qualities necessary to succeed in the military to help her excel in the clean energy industry. She is currently the VP of Business Operations here at FlexGen where she leads a team of 11 people, driving the processes and procedures that keep FlexGen running along smoothly.

When asked why she feels FlexGen makes a good place to work for veterans she replied, “FlexGen values the skill set that Veterans bring to the table. We are accustomed to being responsible for achieving goals and helping co-workers do the same. Those of us working in the clean energy industry know that setting goals and developing strategies to accomplish them is integral to being effective in this sector.”