AFA President-Elect and Army Veteran McKay Lundgren recognized two veterans with the AFA challenge coin at chapter events at the Northeast Tradeshow. “Recognizing the contributions of our veteran members is one of the most rewarding parts of being an AFA volunteer,” McKay said.

Above left: McKay Lundgren with Michael Hanlon
Above right: McKay Lundgren with Neiko Guillory

Challenge coins not only honor those who served, they also provide an excellent opportunity to have meaningful conversations with members.

Michael Hanlon (USMC) from Nation Metal Industries attended the tradeshow, chapter meeting, and education conference for professional development and to experience the industry at a new level. He was honored to receive an AFA challenge coin. In an education session about leadership, Michael was able to share important insights on trust that he learned from his military service.

Neiko Guillory (USAF) from Mr. Fence Academy was also honored to receive an AFA challenge coin. McKay and Neiko had a great discussion about how to engage more veterans in the industry. They discussed ways to recruit and train individuals who are close to ending their active duty commitments.

The AFA Veterans in Fence special interest group will organize vets and allies to support workforce development, service, and mental health initiatives in the industry. Make sure you join the Veterans in Fence Special Interest Group (free with your AFA membership) to connect with other veterans.

Once you are on the Veterans in Fence Connected Community page, you can contribute your knowledge to an ongoing discussion or post a question to get feedback from your peers!  You can also find any upcoming event information posted in the community.