Trendway Honors Our Veterans This November
At Trendway, we believe veterans deserve more than just a single day of recognition each year. To honor their service and bravery, we have designated the entire month of November to our veteran employees. Pictured above are some of the veterans that work here at Trendway. Back Left: Don Heeringa, Mike Koomen, Thomas Dykstra, Bryan Rockford, and John Dinger. Front Left: Wayne Armstrong, Timothy Woudstra, Harold Brezina, and Monica Hodge.
Not Pictured: Tom Geyer, Betty Hardin, Robert Blystra, Michael Gould, John Paynter, Brandon Prell, Timmy Schaefer, George Strehlau, Robert Van Den Brand, Martin VanOveren, Cory VanderYacht, and Roberta Tesmer.
Meet a few of the veterans currently working at Trendway, including our very own Chairman, Don Heeringa.
Trendway Veteran Bios
Don Heeringa – Chairman/CEO
Drafted after college, Don Heeringa joined the Transportation Corps of the US Army and served in Germany for two years. Heeringa states that it was a “good experience,” and he was able to “work with all types of people,” leading him to develop a better understanding of people after his service.
Tom Geyer – Environmental Sustainability Manager
Tom Geyer served the US Navy state side as an Electronic Specialist. His service gave him an improved appreciation for his fellow servicemen and the “Great Equalizer” that is our military. Geyer says that while his time was limited, he made many close friends and “loved seeing new parts of the country.”
Monica Hodge – Sr. Customer Care Representative
Monica Hodge served her country for six years, five in the Air Force as an Inventory Management Specialist, and one as an Avionic Support Specialist in the US Air National Guard. Hodge was stationed in Louisiana, Italy, England, and Panama. Hodge’s advice for those considering service is to take the ASVAB military aptitude test and see if the results align with your interests and then obtain a guaranteed contract for that posting.
Tim Woudstra – Distribution Tech
Tim Woudstra spent six years in the US Navy, four of which were active duty. He was stationed out of Norfolk, VA on the USS Coral Sea and worked in Supply. Woudstra states that his military experience gave him a “deeper appreciation for our freedom.”
Mike Koomen – OTR Fleet Team Leader
Mike Koomen served for five and a half years in the United States Air Force, working in Accounting and Finance. His most memorable experience was being in “Soviet controlled East Germany and East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall.” His time in the military provided him with more awareness of world affairs and allowed him to develop friendships worldwide.
Betty Hardin – Sr. Systems Administrator
Betty Hardin served stateside in the Marine Corps as a Courier. Her advice to people considering service is to realize that while it is a good opportunity for education and travel, “it is not always easy to be away from those you love. There may be times that you feel alone, helpless, or afraid… stay safe and know that our prayers are with you.”
Harold Brezina – Manufacturing Tech
Harold Brezina served in the US Marines Corps for three years as a Disbursing Clerk. He spent most of his service stationed in Japan, South Vietnam, and the Philippines, where during a stopover he met his wife of 41 years. Brezina states that although service isn’t for everyone, it is a great chance to learn about other countries and cultures and, “you will do things not many people get to do, and go places others will never see.”
Roberta Tesmer – Accounts Payable Temp
Roberta Tesmer served for eleven years in the US Coast Guard. She started at a small station in Los Angeles and one of her first experiences in the military was watching a school of dolphins playing and following her training boat. She later chose to be stationed in Grand Haven, MI, where her vast experience made her the go-to person for questions about anything and everything Coast Guard.
Trendway’s Veterans
Don Heeringa – Tom Geyer – Monica Hodge – Tim Woudstra – Mike Koomen – Betty Hardin – Harold Brezina – Wayne Armstrong – John Dinger – Thomas Dykstra – Bryan Rockford – Robert Blystra – Michael Gould – John Paynter – Brandon Prell – Timmy Schaefer – George Strehlau – Robert Van Den Brand – Martin VanOveren – Cory VanderYacht – Roberta Tesmer