Proud to be from Pittsburgh: Helping Veterans

PITTSBURGH — A local organization, started after the Vietnam War, is still helping veterans who are facing unemployment, homelessness and other obstacles.

The Veterans Leadership Program helped 445 vets last year find jobs that matched their skills and experience. Louie Portella is one of them.

“They help you transition. They help you retool your resume and they help with the search,” said Portella.

In 20 years in the Navy, Portella traveled the world as a nuclear reactor operator and electrical engineer. Like many other veterans, he had difficulty readjusting to civilian life and finding work.

“I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Portella. “I tried my hand working at a civilian nuclear power plant. I didn’t really care for it.”

Leah Kurz, with the Veterans Leadership Program, said veterans are the best trained employees.

“They have project management. They have logistics. They have administration, data entry. They have analytical skills,” said Kurz.

Portella is now an administrator with Veterans Cable Services, which is owned by Vietnam vet Tony Accamondo.

The company’s motto: "Thank you for your service is not enough. Hire or help a vet.” Accamondo would love for other employers to make a similar commitment.

“Veterans Cable Services is hiring 100 percent veterans,” said Accamondo. “We're challenging other organizations of companies to hire at least 10 percent veterans. They make fantastic employees.”

• Veterans Leadership Program
• Veterans Cable Services

Cox Media Group