State honors Quality Dairy's Lisa Benson for veterans' service

The state’s Veteran’s Services Division today honored Lisa Benson, HR Recruiter for Lansing-based Quality Dairy Company, for outstanding efforts to help veterans find employment, making the company one of mid-Michigan’s top “vet-friendly” employers.

LANSING,  Mich. —  The state’s Veteran’s Services Division today honored Lisa Benson, HR Recruiter for Lansing-based Quality Dairy Company, for outstanding efforts to help veterans find employment, making the company one of mid-Michigan’s top “vet-friendly” employers. 

“We are in the business of helping Michigan’s returning heroes find jobs, and we can only do that with the help of committed employers like Lisa and the entire team at Quality Dairy,” said Retired Major General Robert Smith, Director of the Michigan Veterans’ Services Division.  “In the eight years that Lisa has been on the job, she has been a steadfast partner in this effort, helping dozens of veterans find a place in the Quality Dairy family.”

Quality Dairy employs a large number of veterans in all aspects of the company’s operations, from positions in retail operations to production and maintenance.

“Veterans possess a strong work ethic, self motivation, and they understand the need for strict adherence to standards – characteristics that make them excellent employees at Quality Dairy,” Benson said. “The state’s Veterans’ Services staff listens to our needs and responds with talented veterans for the jobs we have to fill.”

Last month, in his Special Message on Talent Development, Governor Rick Snyder highlighted the unique skills veterans bring to the job, including leadership and a strong work ethic tested under extreme circumstances. 

He also cited their real-world work experience and transferrable technical expertise – qualities Michigan employers can tap to benefit their own businesses and help grow the Michigan economy.  He challenged Michigan businesses to consider veterans when making hiring decisions, and to help the veterans they employ more fully access their benefits.

In Michigan, the Veterans Services Division, part of the state’s Workforce Development Agency (WDA), is charged with helping Michigan veterans and their eligible spouses find employment or start a business.  A staff of 60 Veterans’ Employment Specialists work on site at 85 Michigan Works! Agency offices around the state, meeting vets where they live to help them find jobs or get the training they’ll need to get a job.  

In 2010, Michigan’s Veterans Services Division staff helped find work for more than 7,700 Michigan veterans, putting Michigan 8th in the nation for the number of vets helped to find employment. 

“Hundreds of Michigan military personnel serve our country honorably only to return home and struggle to find a job and support their families,” said General Smith.  “Employers like Quality Dairy are wise to recognize the talents these men and women have gained through their service.  We encourage all Michigan employers who have thrived in this time of conflict to give our returning vets a shot at a good job and a new start.” 

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