Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG)

A CONVERSATION WITH MINH AGON HUEBNER

Minh Agon Huebner, the Lab’s Chief Financial Officer and sponsor of the Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG), did not serve in the military, but she is grateful to those who did since they changed her life. As a child, Minh, her sister, and three cousins were evacuated during the fall of Saigon in 1975 by U.S. military forces. Two of her uncles also served in the armed forces. She is proud to support service members as the executive sponsor of VERG.

How does the Veterans Employee Resource Group support the Lab’s mission?

The Veteran’s Employee Resource Group recognizes, connects, and utilizes the value and experiences of the Berkeley Lab servicemember community. VERG utilizes the collective experience of all members to enhance professional career development, work productivity, and the overall Berkeley Lab community as part of the “human network”. We also utilize the knowledge of this group to better understand how to appreciate, interact with, and support both current and former military personnel and their families. It’s a very inclusive group. Open membership includes current and former military personnel, government service (civilian) employees, their families, friends, and allies.

VERG also performs an advisory role in the Lab’s compliance with affirmative action requirements for veterans.

What are the Veterans Employee Resource Group’s top 3 or 4 priorities today?

• Self identification -VERG is actively working on a self-identification campaign for veterans at the Lab. The veteran community provides support and connection. In addition, it's important for the Lab to know how many of our employees are veterans so we can provide the appropriate programs and support to that community.

• Veteran recruiting outreach - VERG works with HR and the IDEA Office on outreach and recruiting to the veterans community. Veterans bring a proven skill set when they come to work with us at the Lab. Their military experience has taught them teamwork and problem-solving skills that can be an asset in any area or division of the Lab. We want managers to consider veterans as part of their outreach, diversity, and inclusion strategy in hiring..

• Veteran mental health - VERG wants to develop a resources listing of local organizations that support veterans mental health services. In order to create an inclusive and welcoming workplace for employees who have served their country, provide a listing of local organizations that support veterans and internally support veterans via mentoring and career development.

• VEVRAA Educational Workshop - The Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) is a law that prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against protected veterans and requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. VERG is developing a workshop to educate the Lab community on VEVRAA compliance.

Who do you partner with at the Lab to be successful?

VERG works with several partners, with our primary ones being the IDEA Office and Human Resources. We work with the IDEA Office on Hire Your Heroes, a program which provides transitioning service members with professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce. With Human Resources, we’re always asking “How do we retain and support our former service members?” Both are great partners.