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Growing up watching family members serving in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, Chris McDaniel developed a desire to contribute in the same way and joined the U.S. Air Force in May 2002.
“When I was younger, I was able to see firsthand some of the aircraft that my family worked on and kept in the air,” Chris says. “I always had planned to join the military right after high school, and then 9/11 happened. I immediately wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself and serve my country. Even back then, I knew the military was something I would retire from.”
Chris worked in ground transportation, and his role offered major support to military action in the Middle East right after 9/11. He was deployed five times to Afghanistan, Iraq and Qatar, and he amassed more than
150,000 miles, traveling across some of the most dangerous roads in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Once I started doing convoys, it really let me see the bigger picture where vehicle operators fit into the bigger mission,” Chris says. “At home station, you’re driving bus routes or something like that, and you don’t really see how you fit into the overall mission. Deployed, you’re moving stuff that is integral to someone, somewhere. You are taking vital supplies and cargo to other bases that need it.”
His favorite part about serving was being a member of an amazing team, including serving along with Senior Airman Ashton Goodman, who was killed when a roadside improvised explosive device detonated underneath the humvee she was driving while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009. During his Afghanistan deployment, Chris served as morale and welfare coordinator, hosting Texas Hold’em tournaments, Spades tournaments and other events for the forward operating base.
“Our efforts put us in dangerous areas, and we had to take care of each other in the heat of the battle,” Chris says. “That teamwork and trust of your fellow Airmen is something I’ll never forget.”
Moving Into a New Role
In July 2023, after over two decades serving the country, Chris retired from the Air Force and started the search for a job and a company that would benefit from his experience and allow him to continue serving others. With his background in logistics and transportation, a job opening as a shipping liaison with a lumber company caught his eye. He applied with MANS Lumber, which has six locations in Michigan, and has been serving as dispatch and shipping liaison since.
“I appreciate and enjoy that my job also has a focus on customer service, so I can find that fulfillment in helping
others,” Chris says.
Along with getting to serve others, Chris says his other favorite part about working in the independent channel is being viewed as a person rather than a number.
“MANS Lumber is an excellent place to work that has a long legacy of putting people first,” Chris says. “We are celebrating our 125th year in business in 2025.”
While his role at MANS Lumber aligns with his operational background from his time as a leader in the military, Chris also took away customer service skills from the Air Force that apply.
“I am able to understand customer service situations and help where I can,” Chris says. “I am able to help the team where needed and be flexible when it comes to jobs changing on the fly.”
Chris says that military veterans like himself are well-suited for the independent home improvement channel.
“Military veterans are resilient and hard workers and will do what it takes to get the job done,” Chris says. “Veterans have high standards and want to do the best they can everyday.”
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.
