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A shared commitment and the ability to contribute to something greater than himself are what pushed Ty Sordelet to join the U.S. Navy in 2006.
“I wanted to serve my country and lead others who had the same commitment to service,” Sordelet says. “The military provided an opportunity to develop leadership skills and work with highly motivated teams.”
Sordelet served in the Navy until 2018 as a nuclear submarine officer, where he was responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance and strategic execution of nuclear-powered submarines.
“This role required a deep technical understanding, leadership in high-stakes environments and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure,” he says.
The relationships Sordelet built during his military service are the most rewarding parts of his time in the Navy.
“There’s an inherent trust among those who serve, even with people you’ve just met, because of the shared mission and reliance on one another,” he says. “The camaraderie and teamwork in the military are unmatched, and those bonds last a lifetime.”
After his time in service, Sordelet found his way to the independent home improvement channel through networking, connecting with friends, neighbors and past classmates.
“Those personal connections helped me transition from military service into the business world,” Sordelet says.
New Opportunities to Lead
Today, Sordelet serves as vice president of logistics at Do it Best, where he oversees logistics operations across multiple distribution centers, ensuring supply chain efficiency and optimizing distribution strategies.
“Working in the independent channel, I appreciate the flexibility and ability to approach and solve problems in different ways,” he says. “Unlike large, rigid corporate structures, the independent channel allows for creativity, adaptability and direct problem-solving that impacts businesses and communities in a meaningful way.”
Having grit and learning how to prioritize are traits Sordelet learned during his time in military service and characteristics he took to the independent channel and still uses in his role today.
“The ability to assess situations quickly, identify what truly matters and execute solutions efficiently translates directly to managing operations, leading teams and navigating challenges in the business world,” he says.
Sordelet believes military veterans’ ability to process situations quickly, apply resources effectively and track and lead initiatives to 100% completion prepares them well for careers in the independent channel.
“A veteran’s leadership experience, problem-solving mindset and ability to operate in dynamic environments make them a strong fit for the independent channel, where adaptability and execution are key to success,” he says.
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.
