Head of HR, Communications looks forward to serving Sandia veterans

Following a 22-year military career and human resources leadership roles in Texas, Ohio and Oregon, Sandia’s new Executive Director and Chief Human Resources Officer Brian Carter is looking forward to using his experience to serve as the executive sponsor of the Military Support Committee.

The Military Support Committee is a Sandia employee resource group created more than 15 years ago to support and engage veterans, active military personnel, guardsmen, and reservists, along with non-military employees who have family members deployed. The committee’s goal is to foster a military-friendly community and culture that supports Sandia’s mission.

“Service to our country is important to me, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity and privilege to serve and work with Sandia’s military veteran community,” he said. “It is a tremendous understatement to say that I appreciate their service to our nation, and I value the experiences and attributes they bring to Sandia.”

Brian’s role as executive sponsor of the Military Support Committee follows Associate Labs Director Mike Burns, who left Sandia in August.

Traditionally, the Military Support Committee leads Sandia’s annual Veterans Day events that take place at Sandia’s Albuquerque and Livermore sites to mark the holiday and honor the achievements and sacrifices of Sandia military personnel. The committee also played a role in increasing the number of veterans hired at the Labs in the last few years. In fiscal year 2018, Sandia tripled the number of military veterans hired, marking the highest veteran hiring rate in the history of the Labs.

Because Brian is the executive director of human resources and communications at Sandia, he also champions Sandia resources that can help veterans through tough times. He said the Military Support Committee and other employee resource groups can help veterans connect with each other. He also endorses the Employee Assistance Program for members of the military and relatives of veterans who would like to seek additional assistance with life stresses.

‘Something larger than myself’

Brian’s military career began in 1991 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. After transitioning to the Arkansas Air National Guard and later becoming a commissioned officer, he served in numerous roles including executive officer for the 189th Airlift Wing, personnel officer in the Arkansas National Guard Human Resources Office, commander of the 188th Mission Support Flight, and 188th Fighter Wing Inspector General.

Brian said his last tour was with the Air Force Reserves where he served as commander at the Air Force Basic Military Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. It was the same school he attended for basic training upon enlistment, bringing his military career full circle. He retired from the military in January 2014.

“Military service afforded me the chance to be a part of a something larger than myself, to contribute to a mission of immeasurable importance, and to belong to a community of professionals with a shared commitment to the values of integrity, excellence and selfless service,” he said.

Brian also credits the military for providing leadership development, professional training, and multiple opportunities for higher education pursuits. While in uniform, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science and a Juris Doctor degree.