This article is part of our Southland Stories series, which highlights our employees and their diverse experiences and backgrounds. By recognizing and supporting our employees in connection to different awareness months and initiatives, we put our people first, directly sharing employee experiences, raising awareness, and fostering connection and inclusion across our company.
Veterans Day is a time for reflection and gratitude, a day to honor the brave individuals who served in the military. At Southland, we not only honor their service, but also recognize how their experiences and sacrifices have shaped their careers and strengthened our organization.
From leadership to problem-solving, the skills developed during military service align seamlessly with the demands of the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. This Veterans Day, we want to share the stories of some of our veteran employees, showcasing how they continue to serve — this time, through the work they do at Southland.
Veterans in the construction industry
Veterans bring a wealth of experience and skills cultivated under challenging circumstances. Their military background instills leadership, discipline, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to completing the mission — traits that are essential on every jobsite. These qualities directly contribute to the success of our most complex projects. By integrating veterans into our teams, we not only benefit from their unique skill sets, but also foster a culture of resilience and teamwork that drives our industry forward.
In addition to benefiting from our veterans' expertise, we are proud to work on projects that honor veterans and active military members, such as the National Medal of Honor Museum. Several veterans on this project team have applied their adaptability and problem-solving skills to develop innovative solutions for this historic project in Arlington, Texas.
Spotlighting veteran employees
Sam Wagener
Military Branch: Navy
Sam Wagener, Vice President of Risk Management, served six years as a Surface Warfare Officer assigned to the USS Elliot (DD-967) in San Diego, California. After his sea tour, Sam became an instructor at Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island. Sam recalls being deeply influenced by his first Commanding Officer, whose leadership style helped build a team that became one of the best on the waterfront.
"He was a tremendous leader that commanded with trust and respect. He didn't control the crew, he empowered it. We were a dedicated and cohesive team...no one on that crew was considered less important than another in contributing to our mission," Sam said.
Sean Mann
Military Branch: Army
Sean Mann, Service Operations Manager, served as a Combat Engineer with the 36th Engineer Brigade for nearly six years, including a deployment to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.
"We were embedded with the 223rd Infantry Division, clearing routes and villages of the IED threat and providing heavy weapons support for the Infantry," he said. After returning from deployment, Sean rose to the rank of Sergeant, leading a team of 10 soldiers in weapons training and security.
Donald Fulton
Military Branch: Army
Donald Fulton, Facility Security Officer, believes his time in the Army shaped his professional journey. He appreciates that Southland allows veterans to speak for themselves, recognizing the uniqueness of each person's military service.
Reflecting on his transition to civilian life, he said, "Not all military experience translates into a civilian career, but I'm fortunate to have a career that draws upon some of my military experiences."
Chris Aguirre
Military Branch: Army
Chris Aguirre, Fleet Coordinator, recalls the valuable lessons he learned in the Army, including the importance of integrity, leadership, and teamwork. "My time in the Army taught me that integrity, leadership, and teamwork are all very important characteristics that have opened doors for me and helped me carry myself differently," he said.
His nearly seven years of active-duty service, including three overseas deployments, gave him lifelong memories and friendships that continue to shape him today. Chris shared, "Aside from rank, we were all equal. There was no race nor sex because we all bled Army green. The Army solidified some great friendships that turned friends into true brothers and sisters."
Lionel Torrez
Military Branch: Navy
Lionel Torrez, Senior Safety Manager, says his time in the Navy prepared him for a career in safety management. He shared, "Being in the military prepared me on how to handle each challenging situation and gave me a head start in the safety world."
One of Lionel's proudest moments was commissioning the USS Harpers Ferry in 1995 as the ship's first X-ray technician and safety representative. Reflecting on his time in service, Lionel shared, "My fondest memories were the many friendships that have lasted even today."
Supporting veterans beyond the workplace
At Southland, we are immensely proud of the veterans who continue to shape both our company and the construction industry. Their service, both past and present, is a reminder of the value they bring to every aspect of our work. As we honor Veterans Day, we reflect on Southland's veterans contributions not only to our company, but also to the broader community.
Learn more about our veteran employees by reading our Military Appreciation Month blog.
Senior Content Marketing Strategist
As Senior Content Marketing Strategist for Southland Industries, Lindsay Janssen manages the content lifecycle. From ideation, creation, and editing through distribution, measurement and maintenance, and creating content strategy, Lindsay develops new and innovative ideas for Southland's digital channels.
