For veterans leaving military service, the challenge isn’t a lack of skill or leadership, it’s access. Access to employers who understand their experience, roles that translate military experience into civilian careers, the value that they bring to the table, and pathways that turn service into longterm opportunity.

American Veterans Group (AVG) exists to bridge that gap, connecting military talent with employers ready to invest in veterans, not just as a gesture of goodwill, but as a strategic workforce advantage. By removing barriers, building trusted employer relationships, and meeting job seekers where they are, AVG helps veterans successfully transition from military service to civilian careers where they can thrive.

That mission found a natural partner in KKR, a leading global investment firm, which has committed to supporting veterans across its workforce and portfolio.

Through a warm introduction and strong internal advocacy, AVG and KKR aligned around a shared commitment to supporting veterans, not just as a social good, but as a workforce imperative. By leveraging KKR’s expansive portfolio network, the partnership enables AVG to exponentially scale employer connections, opening doors to a diverse range of industries and roles for military talent.

“Supporting our portfolio companies means more than providing capital. It means helping management teams address their most important business priorities. American Veterans Group recognized that veterans represent an exceptional and often underutilized source of talent, and built a thoughtful, scalable program that helps our companies compete for highcaliber candidates while creating meaningful career opportunities for those who have served,” said Ken Mehlman, Partner & Global Head of Public Affiars at KKR. “They have executed this effort with purpose, discipline, and a clear focus on results, and we are proud to work with them to create value for both our portfolio companies and the veteran community.”

Since partnering with KKR, AVG has expanded access to employment opportunities across KKR portfolio companies, connecting veterans with employers committed to veteran hiring and long-term career growth. Since the partnership began, 15 veterans have found meaningful employment at more than 10 portfolio companies.

“When you work with private equity firms and their portfolio companies, the impact is exponential – you’re scaling employer connections through one strong partnership,” said Angie Fair, Program Manager at VetJobs.

Turning Access into Opportunity

That scalability has been on full display in a series of job fairs AVG and KKR have hosted. Since November 2025 through May 2026, AVG has partnered with KKR and its Vets at Work team to co-lead three VetJobs Fairs, creating a dynamic platform where veteran talent and employers can connect in meaningful ways. The events bring together veterans from across the country and leaders from KKR portfolio companies. Up to a dozen KKR portfolio companies have participated in private breakout sessions and engaged directly with more than 800 military-affiliated attendees. The fairs provide opportunities to explore career paths, share expertise, and build professional networks. Beyond the live event, the fairs have generated significant momentum. More than 2,000 veterans have registered to participate, many of whom are now receiving continued support and career guidance. At least 10 veterans have found employment by participating in the KKR job fairs, with employers/recruiters receiving more than 200 resumes. “Many in the military community don’t realize how many opportunities exist outside of federal jobs or DoD contractors,” Fair said. “These events help open their eyes to roles where they can truly excel using their military experience. Our candidates were particularly engaged because KKR’s portfolio companies span a wide range of industries, and there was significant follow-up after the event.”

A Veteran’s Journey

From Service to Supply Chain Leadership

Among the talented veterans participating was Laurie Jones, a 20-year Air Force veteran. Through the KKR job fair, which she participated in, Jones connected with hiring managers at KKR portfolio company, CIRCOR, and later accepted a position as Senior Supply Chain Expeditor at Leslie Controls, a CIRCOR subsidiary, and a global valve manufacturer in Tampa, Florida.

“(At CIRCOR), everyone feels and acts like an owner,” said Hannah Ennessy, CIRCOR’s Talent Acquisition Manager who first connected with Jones. “We look for people who take ownership of their role and are empowered to lead, no matter what level they’re brought in at. That ownership mindset is exactly what translates so well from the military.”

“Right off the bat,” she added, “Laurie took ownership—having conversations, reaching out to us, following up after the job fair, researching CIRCOR, and connecting with another hiring manager. We remembered her because of that, and she landed with us because that quality really is who we are.”

Ennessy credited AVG’s partnership with VetJobs for playing an integral role in making strong connections with Jones and other candidates. “What was super helpful is that KKR did a really good job of pulling me in from the beginning. This was a huge initiative for KKR, so looping me into the partnership with VetJobs and AVG made me feel very integrated in the process.”

This placement not only leverages Jones’ extensive military experience but also reflects the power of intentional partnerships to match skilled veterans with roles where they can thrive.

A Blueprint for Scalable Impact

Stories like Laurie’s exemplify the tangible impact of AVG’s collaborations—turning connections into meaningful careers and supporting veterans as they transition from military service to civilian life. Programs like the VetJobs Fair advance both individual career outcomes and broader workforce development goals across the veteran employment ecosystem.

This partnership is just the beginning.

It serves as a blueprint for how private equity firms can support veteran hiring at scale—by pairing internal advocacy with intentional partnerships and consistent engagement.

As AVG expands this model across the broader private equity universe, the partnership with KKR demonstrates what’s possible when firms commit to veteran hiring with intention, internal advocacy, and scale.

Each month, more and more private equity firms are joining AVG’s mission to expand access to meaningful employment opportunities for veterans and transitioning service members, strengthening the connection between military talent and the companies positioned to benefit from it.

As AVG deepens its presence across the private equity landscape, the focus remains the same: transforming access into opportunity and ensuring veterans are connected to careers where they can thrive.

Q&A with Laurie Jones

Q: What role did you accept, and how does it align with your military experience?

A: I accepted a Senior Supply Chain Expeditor role with Leslie Controls, where I serve as the lead point of contact for supplier delivery performance and material flow execution. The position focuses on driving supplier accountability, managing delivery risks, and ensuring that critical materials are available to support production schedules. This role aligns closely with my experience in the Air Force, where I managed supply chain operations in high-tempo environments, including tool control, asset accountability, and mission-critical logistics support. My military background required strong coordination across maintenance, logistics, and leadership teams to ensure operational readiness—skills that directly translate into managing supplier performance, resolving constraints, and maintaining visibility across the supply chain. Additionally, the leadership and discipline I developed allow me to take a proactive approach to problem-solving, risk mitigation, and team collaboration.

Q: What challenges did you face translating your military experience into a civilian career? and operational readiness—are directly applicable but described very differently.

A: One of the biggest challenges I faced was translating military terminology into language that resonates with civilian employers. Many responsibilities—like logistics management, asset accountability, Another challenge was helping hiring managers understand the scale and complexity of what I managed. Overseeing millions of dollars in assets or supporting mission-critical operations doesn’t always translate clearly without proper context. I also had to refine how I aligned my experience with civilian job titles and requirements, learning to communicate my background in terms of business impact, efficiency, and measurable results.

Q: What stood out to you about the VetJobs Career Fair experience?



A: What stood out most was how intentionally it was designed for veterans and military-affiliated candidates. Unlike traditional career fairs, the employers already understood the value of military experience, so I didn’t have to spend time translating my background. The environment felt more targeted and meaningful, with opportunities aligned to my skill set and goals. I also appreciated the direct connection to employers actively seeking veteran talent, which made conversations more productive. Overall, it provided a more streamlined and supportive experience and helped bridge the gap between my military background and civilian career opportunities.