Career Development Event at JBLM
A recent career development, networking, and job hiring event took place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington state, organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Program. The summit attracted hundreds of active and retired U.S. military personnel and their spouses.
Industry Participation
The event featured a wide range of national and regional companies such as Amazon, Boeing, Intel, Kenworth, and PACCAR. Kenworth representatives had the opportunity to connect with military members, discussing job openings and providing insights into the trucking sector. Attendees were also able to view a Kenworth W990, which showcased a 52-inch flat roof sleeper, PACCAR MX-13 engine, and PACCAR TX-18 automated transmission.
High Interest in Employer Engagement
Mark Buckner, a section manager for battery electric vehicle development at Kenworth and a U.S. Navy reservist, noted the strong interest among attendees in engaging with leading employers from both national and Washington state organizations.
Kenworth’s Commitment to Veterans
Buckner was among several Kenworth employees providing insights on job prospects at the summit. Having joined Kenworth in 2018 after seven years of active duty in the U.S. Navy as a submariner, Buckner’s last deployment was in Afghanistan in 2017. He now oversees a team of design engineers focusing on hoods and bumpers for Kenworth’s Class 8 trucks.
Open Positions and Recruitment
During the summit, Buckner met numerous qualified applicants for engineering roles at Kenworth, which was accepting applications for various positions—from roles at the Kenworth Renton manufacturing facility to opportunities in engineering, HR, and marketing at their Kirkland headquarters. Kenworth employs over 150 veterans across its plants in Renton, Washington, and Chillicothe, Ohio, as well as its headquarters.
Supporting Veteran Drivers
Kenworth is not only dedicated to veteran career events; it also supports the “Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence” program. This initiative aims to honor the top rookie military veteran driver who has transitioned smoothly from active service to commercial driving. For the seventh consecutive year, Kenworth will present the top award—a Kenworth T680 Next Gen featuring a 76-inch sleeper and a complete PACCAR Powertrain.
Award Finalists and Announcement
Currently, there are 11 driver finalists vying for the prestigious award. The winner will be announced in December in Washington, D.C.
