John Hale

The Full Story

John Hale is a highly decorated veteran with a service-connected disability after serving in the United States Army for more than three decades. He now serves as PCSI's Workforce Development Specialist III.

"John's a selfless, soldier for life still making a huge, positive impact," PCSI President and CEO Tony Cucolo said.

Hale started supporting veterans with disabilities during active duty as a Command Sargeant Major. When he retired from the military in 2016, he continued to lay the groundwork for collaboration between the AbilityOne Program and veterans as a consultant for Soldiers for Life. When a position opened on the workforce development team for PCSI's contract at Fort Sill, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development Vanessa Ferguson received strong recommendations for Hale and brought him on as a recruiter.

"John is a true pioneer for the Program and the population that we serve," Ferguson said. "Veterans trust veterans."

Since he joined PCSI, Hale has recruited more than 30% of the employees for their facilities management contract at Fort Sill.

"Being a veteran himself, he knows the ins and outs and the transition into the civilian community. He walked a mile in our shoes, so he understands where we are coming from," PCSI Supervisor Robert Benoit said.

This is more than just an office job for Hale. He attends job fairs, taking veterans' resumes with him to help find placements. He also builds connections with trade schools and connects transitioning students with disabilities to PCSI so they can receive training to further their careers.

"Early on, I didn't understand what it takes for that type of dedication, and the time and the effort, and all that it takes to lead," Hale's wife Machelta Hale said. "You know the countless hours he's in early, he comes home late. It's not a nine to five. It is truly a sacrifice."

Hale helps veterans through every step of the transition from the military to the civilian world. That includes helping them get the documentation or care they need to obtain disability status. He also makes a point of checking on vulnerable veterans throughout the community.

"I've seen John help countless veterans through the AbilityOne Program," PCSI Lead Electrician Christopher DiRenzo said. "I've seen him help homeless veterans. I've seen him help veterans that have had substance abuse issues. I've seen him help veterans with domestic issues, you know get them in the right direction and get them gainful employment."

One of the most profound examples of Hale's impact is his extraordinary support and intervention during a crisis involving a local Army Veteran. Hale played a pivotal role in convincing Vontico Griffin, who was contemplating suicide, to seek the mental and medical help he needed.

"I was going through bad stuff in life because of my transition and what I had going on," Griffin said. "I didn't know how to handle it. I didn't have the proper help, the proper support to bring me out of a dark place."

Hale guided Griffin through the recovery process and helped him regain stability. Griffin received medical attention and a disability status, which drastically improved his quality of life. In September 2024, Hale helped Griffin secure employment as a maintenance trades helper with PCSI on their Fort Sill contract, signifying a remarkable transformation and positive direction for his life. Through PCSI and the AbilityOne Program, Hale has helped dozens of veterans find a new purpose in life.

"It gives us a chance and a place to serve without a uniform, but we still get to serve obviously on a military installation which gives us a sense of home," DiRenzo said.

This role has also given Hale a new purpose.

"This just gave me an outlet to serve in another form," Hale said. "The other form, obviously, I was a man of war to defend this great country so that we can fight for people with disabilities, so that we can give people the dignity that they deserve to earn a day's wage without being humiliated or discriminated against."

Hale said he joined this fight long before his time in the military. This part of his passion and commitment all started with his mom.

"She always told me that if I was ever blessed to get in a position of power, stand in the gap for those who are overlooked by people of power," Hale said.

That's why Hale does so much behind the scenes. He said it's more important to act than to talk.

"Because the more we talk, the more veterans are committing suicide. The more we talk, the more veterans are homeless. It's about action," Hale said.

SourceAmerica® invited Hale to share his story at the opening session of the 2025 Grassroots Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. He encouraged everyone in the room, from people with disabilities including veterans to leaders in SourceAmerica's network of AbilityOne federal contractors, to use their voice, their power, and any opportunity to speak up and take action to help others.

"You have a mighty tool. You are a major influence. You are somebody's hero," Hale said.

If you or someone you know is looking for a job, the SourceAmerica Job Board connects people with disabilities including veterans seeking employment with positions available through nonprofit agencies in the SourceAmerica network.