In this episode of Minnesota Military Radio, host Retired Command Sergeant Major Doug Wortham sits down with Sherry Schultz, Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Vice President, and Greg Davis, General Manager and Vice President of Walser Toyota in Bloomington. They discuss Walser’s journey to this milestone, driven by employee-led initiatives like the Veterans at Walser resource group (now nearly 200 members), leadership commitment, and practical programs that make a difference.
Key highlights from the conversation include:
- Guaranteed interviews for any veteran applicant, with an open-door policy for support and de-escalation.
- GI Bill-eligible accredited training programs in sales (about 30 days) and service advising (about 2 weeks + 2 days).
- Deployment support, including differential pay, continued 401(k) vesting, and family outreach/check-ins.
- Mentorship and onboarding to bridge military-to-civilian transitions, helping veterans translate skills and adapt to workplace norms.
- A goal to hire 50+ veterans in the first year post-designation (already well on track).
- Ongoing support for current Guard/Reserve employees, including deployment send-offs and reintegration.
Sherry Schultz, a military spouse herself, emphasized creating structure, empathy, and purpose for transitions, while Greg Davis shared insights as a parent of active-duty service members, noting the value of veterans’ discipline, efficiency, and purpose-driven mindset in Walser’s transparent, customer-focused environment.
For more details on Walser’s commitment, read their official announcement: Walser Earns Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Designation in Minnesota.
