From Serving to Delivering: How Veteran with Disability Continues to Support Military
From serving to supporting the Air Force
After serving in the United States Air Force for 14 years on active duty and three years in the Air Force Reserve, Maria Guzman became a mail operations specialist at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas through TRDI, an AbilityOne® federal contractor in the SourceAmerica® network. After six years, Guzman transitioned into a leadership role as project manager, where she continues to uplift her team. Since leaving the military, she continues to find ways to balance her new career and academic achievements, earning an undergraduate certificate in medical billing and coding, an associate in health information technology, and a bachelor in technical management with a focus on human resources. She has come to appreciate the importance of keeping her mind engaged and constantly learning while managing back pain, anxiety, discomfort from multiple foot surgeries, and a traumatic brain injury. Guzman exemplifies perseverance, dedication, and the spirit of teamwork, both in her military service and now, in her civilian career.
Becoming a leader in the AbilityOne Program
After being promoted to project manager, Guzman now oversees the management and timely delivery of mail and packages for more than 700 airmen. Her work directly supports 34 different organizations, ensuring they receive important documents, care packages, and correspondence from various carriers. One of her most remarkable contributions is the way she fosters a close-knit community at TRDI. She keeps operations running smoothly and creates a work environment where people feel valued and eager to contribute. The bonds she cultivates are so strong that many airmen return to visit her long after their duties have ended. Many team members also cite Guzman as the reason for their continued dedication and high performance, with the department boasting an average tenure of more than three years.
Success in numbers
Under Guzman's leadership at TRDI, her team has exceeded their goals. Some key achievements include:
- Handling an average of 8,873 letters and 388 packages per week.
- Processing more than 260,000 letters and 21,700 packages annually.
- Contributing to a 30% increase in job satisfaction and productivity among veterans with disabilities.
Helping other veterans with disabilities
As a veteran, Guzman's understanding of her fellow veterans, especially those with disabilities, is a tremendous asset to her leadership style. Guzman's previous experience as a Spanish teacher and special education aide equipped her with a deep understanding of how to support individuals with disabilities, which has been invaluable in her current role. At TRDI, she applies these skills to ensure that veterans with disabilities are accommodated and empowered to succeed. She makes a point of including everyone in the conversation, recognizing the unique contributions each team member makes, and ensuring that all employees feel valued, appreciated, and motivated.
Testament from TRDI
"Ms. Maria is an exemplary employee. From the moment I met her, I could tell she was someone special, a unique individual with impressive skills, extraordinary patience, and a natural ability to connect with and support her team," TRDI Corporate Case Manager Diana Rios said.
If you are a veteran with a disability and looking for a meaningful post-military career, check out the resources available through SourceAmerica and the AbilityOne Program.
The mention of the U.S. Government in this article does not imply endorsement by the government of the product or service provided by the nonprofit agency to the government.