Performance Materials and Technologies
How These Veterans’ Military Experience Influenced Their Roles Today
How These Veterans’ Military Experience Influenced Their Roles Today
Three Veterans within Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technology (PMT) gave us a quick look on how their military experience helps them to this day.
Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) is a foundational principle at Honeywell, both because it is the right thing to do and because it is a fundamental enabler for our business. We are proud to have colleagues and leaders from diverse backgrounds and cultures who bring valuable experiences, perspectives, and ideas. It is with great honor that we are highlighting our U.S. Military Veteran colleagues and leaders now and every day. We value their work and services that they have done for our country as well as their continuous dedication and work as part of the company.
We have spoken to three great veterans who gave us a quick look at how their military experience has shaped their roles to this day.
Eshonda Shaheed, Human Resources Generalist
Serves as an active reservist in the U.S. Air Force Reserves
How did your service help/shape you for your current role within Honeywell?
My experiences working in fast-paced environments along with the ability to adapt to change shaped me for my current role.
What is the most memorable experience during your service that still helps you to this day?
The opportunity to live and work in another country gave me the ability to work on a global team
What is it about Honeywell that makes you feel welcomed as a Veteran?
The support that I received from my team when I am required to leave for required military trainings.
Do you have any advice to someone transitioning into civilian life after their service and looking to follow your footsteps?
Trust the skillset that you have developed while serving.
Ben Owens, Vice President and General Manager for Sustainable Technology Solutions
Served 7 years as part of the U.S. Army Infantry Officers
How did your service help and shape you for your current role within Honeywell?
Being in the military teaches you to be calm and collected under pressure.
What is it about Honeywell that makes you feel welcomed as a Veteran?
Honeywell’s performance-based cultures are very similar to the military.
Do you have any advice to someone transitioning into civilian life after their service and looking to follow your footsteps?
Exercise the key skills that the military taught you but be flexible and willing to learn how to succeed in Honeywell.
Ron Preiss, Vice President for Offering Management
Served 8 and a half years active duty as a Lieutenant Commission Officer as part of the U.S. Navy
How did your service help/shape you for your current role within Honeywell?
My role as an E-2C Hawkeye Mission Commander prepared me to handle multiple priorities in an intense, stressful settings. I also learned how to team and trust others to do their jobs. The military, and an aircrew, cannot succeed if you don’t have full trust in one another to do their jobs and focus on yours.
What is the most memorable experience during your service that still helps you to this day?
Flying round the clock combat operations enforcing the No-Fly Zone over Bosnia in the mid-to-late 90s. It was intense, exhausting, thrilling, scary, humbling, and exciting. I loved being on the tip of the spear for the United States Armed Forces.
What is it about Honeywell that makes you feel welcomed as a Veteran?
Honeywell is an international and iconic company that is focused on growth and expecting the best of its people. It’s a complex, matrixed team supporting one common mission-to win with and for our customers.
Do you have any advice to someone transitioning into civilian life after their service and looking to follow your footsteps?
Yes-you have to catch up to your peers that have been working in the civilian world while you’ve been in the military – take a humble, accelerated learning approach. Be teachable and maintain the same intensity that made you successful in the military. Get a good military transition book too. I’ve recommended those books to many people, including civilians and my own kids when they were getting ready to interview for their first jobs. Stay humble and hungry!
