Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Joe Swortz, a U.S. Army veteran and the financial controller for Hardware Sales Inc. in Bellingham, Washington, attributes his current leadership and teamwork skills to his time in the military
Motivated by the desire to go to college without financially impacting his parents, Swortz joined the military at age 17, the summer before his senior year of high school.
“I am one of four boys, and my parents, a policeman and Sunday school teacher, were figuring out how to pay for my older brother’s college tuition,” says Swortz. “I wanted to go to college and figured the way to pay for school without being a burden was to join the service.”
Swortz enlisted in the U.S. Army, leaving for basic training two weeks after his graduation. Serving from 1984 to 1989, Swortz credits his years in service for shaping him as the leader and team player he is today.
“Even though my time in the military was brief and started over 40 years ago, I still believe the core Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity and courage guide me to this day,” he says.
After his military service, Swortz was looking for an escape from a 70-mile commute to his previous job and turned to his hometown third-generation family-owned hardware store for a career opportunity, beginning his journey in independent home improvement. During his time in college, Swortz worked in various home improvement centers in the paint, hardware, flooring, lumber and glazing departments, which helped him relate to the high level of customer service and expertise needed to succeed in the independent channel.
Moving Forward
Swortz remembers his years in military service with gratitude, crediting the assistance he has received from VA programs in his civilian life.
“Those years of service gave me a college education courtesy of the VEAP and the ability to buy homes with VA home loans when other options weren’t available,” he says.
As a disabled veteran, Swortz says he also receives health and disability benefits through the VA, although struggled with his disability status for many years.
“I was in denial about my disability for many years, even ashamed of my injury because it wasn’t visible,” he says. “But 14 years ago, through the support of fellow vets of the Vietnam conflict and Gulf War, I was able to accept the care I needed and am forever grateful for their support.”
Swortz believes military veterans support the home improvement retail industry in many ways, and in turn, the industry does a good job of supporting veterans.
“Some veterans are prepared for the challenges that come after their service, while others need to seek support to deal with the military afterlife,” Swortz says. “Most retailers give the space and time needed to get veterans the support and assistance they need to become part of the community they work and live in.”
Paying Tribute
While there is no way to repay the sacrifices made by veterans of the armed forces, the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) recognizes that not only have these individuals made a lasting impact on their country, but they are also a prominent and positive influence within the home improvement industry.
To honor the ongoing impact military veterans make throughout the home improvement industry,
NHPA launched the Helmets to Home Improvement recognition program, with the National Hardware Show (NHS) as the program’s official founding sponsor and venue partner.
We need your help honoring these amazing men and women. Please visit YourNHPA.org/veterans to nominate a Helmets to Home Improvement honoree.
