Sewickley veteran’s company works to help fellow vets

July 10--Soldiers who thrived in the highly structured military environment may have difficulty making the transition to civilian life. Victory Media Inc., based in Coraopolis, has been working since 2001 to help veterans bridge the gap.

"Every year 400,000 people are transitioning out of the military," said Chris Hale of Sewickley, co-founder of Victory Media. "You leave the military with great skills," he said, but might have trouble finding the right job or the right college or training program, which can be covered by the GI Bill. "It's a communication problem and it'?s a temporary one. Recent high school and college graduates have the same issue" at first.

A native of Robinson, Mr. Hale, 44, graduated from the Naval Academy following his 1987 graduation from Montour High School. He was a flight officer for most of his service in the Navy, which he left as a lieutenant commander in 1999. He spent his last 2 1/2 years as a Navy recruiter in Pittsburgh. His undergraduate degree from the Naval Academy is in engineering, and he earned a master's in business administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. Hale and his wife, Kristy, have two children, Shane, 12, and Ruby, 9.

The company, which is based at 429 Mill St., works with colleges, universities, technical schools and companies all over the country.

"We publish lists of military-friendly schools and lists of military-friendly employers," Mr. Hale said.

At Pittsburgh'?s recent first-ever Navy Week, Victory Media representatives were at events, working to assist business leaders and veterans and to make connections.

Victory Media has five "brands," in the words of Mr. Hale, and each has its own magazine.

G.I. Jobs helps vets find jobs and education opportunities.

The NaVOBA journal connects veteran-owned businesses with corporations.

Military Spouse helps veteran families make geographic moves, and also has information about travel, weddings, education and employment.

STEM Jobs helps veterans find schools and employers with science, technology, engineering and math programs.

Military Friendly includes yearly rankings for the Top 100 employers that are especially amenable to hiring veterans and provide them with good insurance and benefits.

Currently, 15 veterans are employed by Victory Media. The growing company had a total of 30 full-time employees a year ago, 50 now, and it hopes to have 65 by the end of the year. Victory Media is looking to hire employees in Web development, digital marketing and media sales, he said.

Victory Media's offices, where employees have worked since 2004, are in space that used to house a dance studio, insurance company, barbershop and an Isaly'?s.

Linda Wilson Fuoco: [email protected] or 412-722-0087.

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