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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — For the second consecutive year, RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, has been recognized as a Military Friendly® Employer for creating meaningful employment opportunities for the military community.
“Every day RTI benefits from the valuable leadership experiences and technical skills of veterans,” said RTI president Wayne Holden. “Veterans make up a significant percentage of our population in the United States and here in North Carolina, where we’re headquartered. Veterans enrich our culture, strengthen our organization and help us reflect and embrace diversity and inclusion in our workplace.”
To improve opportunities for veterans, RTI’s Global Talent Acquisition Team holds veteran networking sessions as part of recruitment efforts for military veterans and collaborates annually with Army Civil Affairs to help veterans transition to the nonprofit sector.
Two years ago, RTI empowered its Employee Resource Group for veterans and allies (RTI VALoR) to partner with the North Carolina Military Foundation and North Carolina for Military Employment to advance veteran issues within RTI, while spending volunteer time supporting community outreach projects in the Triangle area of North Carolina.
“The Military Friendly designation is a meaningful and impactful recognition of RTI’s commitment to the veterans community and a reflection of our dedication to diversity and inclusion for all our employees, including those with military service,” said Brad Washabaugh, vice president of Facilities Strategic Services and executive sponsor of RTI VALoR, as well as a retired Marine. “I’m also proud of the contributions of RTI VALoR, which has increased awareness of veterans issues, provided valuable professional development for our members and conducted outreach efforts in our communities. Their efforts have aligned perfectly with RTI’s values and provide great benefit.”
Other RTI military-focused efforts include partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF). In 2017, RTI joined forces with TMF to bring TMF’s Character Does Matter program to North Carolina. TMF empowers veterans and the families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations.
RTI’s long tradition of military- and veterans-related research has sought to strengthen military families, relieve post-traumatic stress disorder, understand health behaviors among veterans and active-duty service members and more. To support U.S. service members, RTI has been leading a study on a medical procedure called Stellate Ganglion Block, which offers the potential for fast-acting symptom relief for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Since 2003, the Military Friendly® Employers list has provided a yearly comprehensive guide for veterans and their spouses using criteria developed by Ernst & Young for VIQTORY, a service-disable, veteran-owned small business, that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. More than 8,800 employers nationwide are evaluated based on public data sources and survey responses.
