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At Dunaway, we pride ourselves on our inclusive and supportive culture, embodied in our one-heart mindset. Our goal is that every team member feels connected, valued, and part of a greater mission, which is why we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with SkillBridge, a program dedicated to providing veterans with invaluable civilian work experience.

Through this initiative, we are excited to share that we will be offering several open positions in our Dallas office, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to bring new, talented veterans to the Dunaway team.

The Importance of Transition Programs like SkillBridge

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a challenging journey. Programs like SkillBridge play a crucial role in easing this transition. To better understand the true impact, we asked several Dunaway employees who have served in the military to expand on their experience transitioning into the civilian realm and the benefits a program like SkillBridge can provide.

Graduate Engineer Spotlight: Cindy Arambula

Cindy Arambula is a Graduate Engineer in Dunaway’s Structural Department. After her time in the Army, Cindy attended the University of California San Diego, where she received her degree in Structural Engineering. “Finding a new tribe is what helped with my transition. Dunaway was very welcoming, and their culture embraced people from different walks of life,” Cindy recalls.

“After serving in the military, the transition was not easy. I believe the willingness to adapt to a new way of life is key.” As Cindy notes, “a program like SkillBridge would have been extremely beneficial during my transition. When you leave the service, you feel lost and disconnected, and to have had an opportunity to connect and gain civilian work experience would have been helpful.”

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Today, as I thank all my brothers and sisters for their service to this country, I am also thankful to have been accepted by my coworkers who continue to help me transition.

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Cindy Arambula , Graduate Engineer

Cindy has come a long way, having been with Dunaway for nearly eight years. In her role as a Graduate Engineer, Cindy focuses on assisting project engineers in a variety of projects and material types, including tilt wall, steel, and load-bearing CMU. “Today, as I thank all my brothers and sisters for their service to this country, I am also thankful to have been accepted by my coworkers who continue to help me transition,” explains Cindy.

Executive Spotlight: Scott Heal, MBA

A Graduate of WestPoint, Scott Heal, MBA serves as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Though he has thrived in his corporate career, he acknowledges that the transition to civilian life was not always an easy one. “When I left active duty, I had very little understanding of what working in the corporate sector would be like and whether I had the competencies required for the job,” Scott recalls.

“The transition from the military to the civilian sector is a significant adjustment, and finding a profession and company that aligns with your values and passions can be challenging,” Scott explains. “I wish I’d had a program like SkillBridge to not only get training to ease the transition but also to show a potential future employer the value I could bring to their team.”

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Dunaway’s One Heart Culture and core values will be very familiar to military veterans. Not only is service to others a big part of what we do, but the focus on teamwork and collaboration is fun and rewarding.

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Scott Heal, MBA, Civil Engineering Executive | Principal

As a Principal and Civil Engineering Executive at Dunaway, Scott leads operations and strategy for the civil line of business across our offices. Practicing intent-based leadership, Scott transforms teams to achieve success and fosters Dunaway’s inclusive and supportive culture. He feels strongly that an intentional environment like Dunaway’s can be particularly beneficial for veteran’s, providing a sense of belonging and purpose similar to what individuals experience in the military. As Scott explains, “Dunaway’s One Heart Culture and core values will be very familiar to military veterans. Not only is service to others a big part of what we do, but the focus on teamwork and collaboration is fun and rewarding. I love coming to work every day!”

Honoring Veterans and Their Contributions

As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, we are reminded of the immense sacrifices and contributions made by our veterans. At Dunaway, we are committed to honoring these individuals by providing opportunities for growth, development, and success in their post-military careers. Our partnership with SkillBridge is a testament to this commitment, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our firm and the community. To learn more about our job openings, click here view our current SkillBridge DoD opportunities.