Celebrating Our Veterans: A Salute to Their Service

It takes great bravery and honor to serve in the U.S. Military. At Pfizer, we are thankful to all veterans for their patriotism, their selflessness and their sacrifice. And, we are proud to call many men and women who have served in the armed forces Pfizer colleagues. We salute their service and invite you to read their stories.

Chris McQueen, Pfizer Facility Maintenance Supervisor, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

I served in the United States Navy as a Gas Turbine System Technician Mechanic predominantly onboard ships. My tours include service onboard the USS Caron, USS Hue City and USS Vella Gulf. Having served in the military has prepared me by helping me stay focused and dedicated to the success of the team, no matter what my role might be. Any hiring manager looking to recruit a veteran would be getting a disciplined team player that would bolster their business and working culture.

Abel Gomez, Pfizer Warehouse Planner II, Sanford, North Carolina

I retired after 20 years of service in the U.S. Army, following my roles as Supply Sargent, Brigade Property Book Supervisor, and Corporate Level Logistical Plans and Operations Coordinator. I am currently working as a Warehouse Planner II in Sanford, North Carolina, and the best part of my job is the ability to stay on my feet as I deliver materials and interact with colleagues throughout the entire site. The Army has taught me the value of doing things right the first time which saves time at the end. I feel very fortunate that Pfizer was my first and only job since the military and the transition was smooth and seamless. It can be a bit overwhelming when departing something that has changed you and molded you into the person you’ve become through the rigors of training, but in the end, things can work out better than you can imagine. I am very proud to be part of a company that offers so much to their employees and offers the opportunity to contribute to the impact that changes lives all over the world.

Shakira Watford, Pfizer Senior Production Supervisor, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

I served seven years in the United States Air Force as an F-22 Aircraft Maintenance Technician and a Senior Aircraft Maintenance and Production Controller. I repaired and launched aircraft for a few years and was later assigned to track and analyze their status, performance, flights, emergencies and everything that took place on the base’s flight line as a Maintenance Operations Production Controller. I am now a Senior Production Supervisor in Large Volume Production at Pfizer, soon to be transitioning into the role of Senior Compliance Supervisor in Small Volume Production. What I like most about my current role is that it provides the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment that gives me a new challenge on a weekly basis. I am constantly growing and applying critical thinking skills to solve the many obstacles that come with production. My advice to other veterans looking to enter or re-enter the workforce is: do not be afraid to take that leap. Trust in the training and experiences the military has provided you to take on the challenges of the civilian world.

John Avila, Pfizer Environment, Health & Safety Specialist, McPherson, Kansas

I have held two roles in my eight years at Pfizer: Production Supervisor and Environment, Health & Safety Specialist. It is important to me that many core values were instilled in me as an Army Officer, Sailor or Soldier. In my roles, I have had to draw, at one time or another, from my military experiences.  Experiences garnered as a Platoon Leader in Iraq for 16 months in a combat zone. Overseas as a young man, serving in both Okinawa, Japan, and South Korea, attached to U.S. Marine units as a Navy Hospital Corpsman. And lastly, as an Army Medic while working in garrison, hospital or field environments, both in the Reserves or National Guard. The military took me in as a young 17-year-old and taught me the value of teamwork, to focus and pay attention to detail in order to be successful, the ability to fully value life and most importantly, to show compassion and love for others. These are all the things I am proud to bring to my work at Pfizer.