This May, during National Military Appreciation Month, we take the opportunity to recognize the profound contributions of military veterans within our own ranks. At Velo3D, we are proud to have a team fortified by individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their transition from military service to advanced manufacturing brings a unique set of skills, a disciplined mindset, and an unwavering commitment to mission success. These team members, hailing from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, now apply their exceptional training to roles spanning engineering, operations, sales, and recruitment, driving innovation and excellence across the company. Their journey from service to Sapphire is a testament to the powerful synergy between military experience and cutting-edge technology.
From the Navy’s Chief Engineer to the Velo3D Boardroom
Velo3D board member Jason Lloyd served as Chief Engineer of the United States Navy and Deputy Commander for Naval Engineering and Logistics at Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). In that role, RDML Lloyd led the engineering and scientific expertise, knowledge, and technical authority required to design, build, maintain, repair, modernize, certify, and dispose of the Navy's ships, aircraft carriers, submarines, and associated combat and weapons systems.
Today, he brings that deep engineering and shipbuilding expertise to Velo3D's board of directors, helping guide the company as it advances the metal additive manufacturing capabilities critical to defense and other demanding industries."
From the U.S. Army to Additive Manufacturing
The U.S. Army instills qualities of resilience, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of team dynamics. These traits are invaluable in additive manufacturing, where collaboration and precision are paramount.
Joey Casarez served in the U.S. Army from 2000 to 2004, including combat duty in Iraq, and now works as a Technical Recruiter at Velo3D. His experience on the ground, where understanding people and building cohesive units is a matter of life and death, gives him a unique lens for identifying top-tier talent. He possesses an innate ability to recognize the drive, discipline, and collaborative spirit essential for success in a high-performance engineering environment.
Duncan Ragsdale, a DevOps Engineer who served in the Army Reserves from 2013 to 2021, brings sustained dedication to reliability and critical systems. The world of DevOps is built on process, dependability, and maintaining infrastructure under pressure — principles that are cornerstones of military operations. Duncan’s long-term commitment to service, balanced with a civilian career, is now applied to ensuring the stability and performance of Velo3D’s digital infrastructure.
Also proudly representing the U.S. Army at Velo3D are Gene Miller and Jose Tapia, whose military service continues to strengthen our team.
The U.S. Air Force and Navy Veterans Driving Innovation
The air and sea branches of the military operate some of the most technologically advanced equipment on the planet. Veterans from the U.S. Air Force and Navy bring a native fluency in complex systems, rigorous maintenance protocols, and mission-critical engineering that translates directly to the Velo3D ecosystem.
Our team includes a remarkable group of Air Force veterans:
Eric Cohen, Director of Sales, served from 2009 to 2015. The Air Force is a primary driver and user of aerospace innovation. Eric’s background gives him a fundamental understanding of the challenges and requirements of customers in this demanding sector, enabling him to forge strategic partnerships built on trust and technical credibility.
Anthony “Tony” Sturgis, a Field Services Engineer who served from 2006 to 2014, brings deep technical acumen. His experience maintaining sophisticated Air Force systems prepared him perfectly for installing, calibrating, and troubleshooting Sapphire printers on-site with customers
Kyle Boehme, a Product Support Engineer with a decade of service from 2009 to 2019, exemplifies the military’s focus on mission readiness. He ensures our customers’ systems operate at peak performance, applying his problem-solving skills to provide solutions that keep production lines moving.
Our Air Force team is further strengthened by Kevin Gates, whose service continues to drive excellence in our operations.
Representing both the U.S. Navy and the Air Force Reserve is Chris Cummings, a Field Services Engineer whose service spanned from 1999 to 2014. His dual-branch experience provides a broad perspective on integrated systems and operational excellence — a significant asset when working with diverse customers who rely on our technology for mission-critical applications.
Also representing the U.S. Navy at Velo3D are Chris Elfers and Steve Converse, each bringing the precision and systems thinking honed through their naval service.
Marine Corps Veterans Engineering Success
The U.S. Marine Corps is renowned for its ethos of “improvise, adapt, and overcome.” This mindset, which emphasizes resourcefulness, decisiveness, and accomplishing the mission with the tools at hand, is incredibly valuable in field engineering, where unexpected challenges are part of the job.
Kevin Haider, who served in the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2010, is a Field Services Engineer at Velo3D. When on a customer site, engineers often work independently to diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and software issues. Kevin’s Marine Corps training cultivated the tenacity and creative problem-solving skills required to ensure our customers’ success, no matter the obstacle. His ability to remain calm under pressure and execute a solution methodically reflects the discipline forged during his service.
Also representing the Marine Corps at Velo3D are Brendan Schierloh, Juan Zacaris, and Reynaldo “Rey” Juarez, all of whom embody the Corps’ ethos of adaptability and determination.
How Military Experience Shapes Our Company Culture
The veterans on our team do more than fill roles — they fundamentally strengthen our company culture. The values instilled through military service align seamlessly with the demands of a deep-tech company pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
- Mission Focus: In the military, the objective is paramount. Veterans bring a goal-oriented perspective, focusing intently on the task at hand and seeing it through to completion. This translates into a powerful drive to solve customer problems and deliver on our promises.
- Discipline and Attention to Detail: Manufacturing mission-critical metal parts requires precision that leaves no room for error. Military training emphasizes meticulousness and adherence to standards, a qu ality that elevates our processes in engineering, production, and service.
- Teamwork and Leadership: Service members learn to operate as part of a tightly integrated unit, where trust and mutual support are essential. They develop leadership skills early in their careers, fostering a collaborative and accountable environment where individuals take ownership and empower their colleagues.
- Grace Under Pressure: The industries we serve operate in high-stakes environments. Our veteran team members are accustomed to performing complex tasks under pressure, bringing a steady and methodical approach that ensures consistent, high-quality outcomes.
A Commitment to Service and Excellence
Velo3D’s technology is instrumental in advancing the capabilities of the aerospace and defense industries, producing parts that fly on rockets and power the next generation of aircraft. Our commitment to serving these sectors is deepened by having veterans on our team who have firsthand experience with the importance of reliable, high-performance equipment. They don’t just understand the technical specifications, they understand the mission.
This shared sense of purpose creates a powerful bond between our company and our customers. By hiring veterans, we gain exceptional talent and reinforce our dedication to supporting the industries that protect and advance our national interests. Their service to the country continues through their commitment to engineering excellence and technological innovation here at Velo3D.
Key Takeaways
- Veterans at Velo3D bring invaluable skills learned through military service, including leadership, discipline, technical expertise, and a mission-first mindset.
- Our team includes members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, who contribute across key departments like engineering, sales, and operations.
- The rigorous training and problem-solving abilities honed in the military are directly applicable to the challenges of the advanced manufacturing industry.
- The presence of veterans strengthens Velo3D’s company culture and enhances our ability to serve the critical needs of the aerospace and defense sectors.
We are immensely grateful for the service of all veterans, both at Velo3D and beyond. Their dedication, experience, and character are vital assets to our company and to the nation’s technology and manufacturing landscape.
