Don Esmond is a Vietnam Veteran with over 900 missions flown in the CH-46 Helicopter. His awards for his service include, the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 45 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart. He has served on the Department of Defense's Advisory Board for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. He is a 42-year executive in the car industry, having joined Ford after serving in the Marine Corps, and recently retiring as senior VP of Automotive Operations for North America after more than 30 years at Toyota. Don has also served as a director of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and co-chair of the Veteran Employment Advisory Council for Hiring Our Heroes--comprised of more than 30 of America’s largest employers. In these roles I advise on best practices for hiring veterans and support the creation of resources to help transitioning service members find meaningful employment.