Across Pilot, many team members have personal ties to the military community. They recently shared powerful stories that reflect the many ways military service touches our lives. Here are just a few of them.

Answering the Call at Home and Abroad 

Cory Spradlin, a Pilot truck driver based in Toledo, Ohio, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1998 and attended basic training. He deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo in 2000, then served during one of the most traumatic periods in U.S history. On September 12, 2001, he deployed to provide security at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and to Ground Zero in New York City, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In 2007-08, Cory volunteered as a team leader for combat service in Afghanistan. Cory’s service during times of both conflict and peace exemplifies the selflessness of our military community.

Commitment Across Generations

For some Pilot team members, military service is a family tradition.

Colleen Oliver, cashier at Pilot #593, Tucson, Arizona, grew up as a “military brat.” That allowed her to experience an extraordinary childhood, living in Turkey and Japan and visiting many other countries. In 1972, when less than two percent of all armed forces personnel were women, she followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the U.S. Air Force. Colleen’s son also served in the military, underscoring how military service often becomes a lasting family legacy.

Lessons Learned Through Service 

For most, serving in the military teaches lifelong lessons.

Jason Brantley, a senior security engineer at our sales and support center in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard veteran with over 20 years of service, including combat service during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Jason says his military experience shaped how he shows up today, from teamwork and accountability to servant leadership. He’s proud that Pilot reflects the same values he lived by while in uniform: showing up for others, continuous improvement and taking pride in meaningful work.

Serving Together as a Family 

For Shana Klein, shift supervisor at Pilot #44, Boonville, Missouri, serving in the U.S. Army is an honor she shares with her late husband, Fred Speak. Shana, who served for ten years, and her husband, who served for twenty, both later became Army recruiters. Because their service overlapped while they raised their four children, military life became a true family effort. There were times when both parents were in the field or working long hours, and they relied on their community for support along the way. At the same time, military life brought unique opportunities to create lasting memories from the family’s extensive travel and adventures together.

Together, these stories show that while military service takes many forms, the values it instills, like leadership, resilience, and commitment, closely reflect those that shape our team and our culture. We’re proud to work alongside individuals who bring these values to life every day.

At Pilot, the respect and appreciation we have for the military community extends to every day of the year. Once authenticated through ID.me in the Pilot app, verified service members can save year-round with a 10% discount on food and beverages* when using the Pilot app.

Pilot is grateful to our team members and to all Americans who commit to military service. Read this news release to learn more about how Pilot honors service members during Military Appreciation Month and beyond.

*Visit https://pilotcompany.com/terms-and-conditions for terms and conditions.

In recognition of Military Appreciation Month, Miles of Good Foundation is donating $125,000 to Hire Heroes USA to help advance its mission of providing personalized employment assistance for service members and their spouses to help them transition to the civilian workforce.

"Pilot’s long-standing support as an employer partner since 2018 has played a meaningful role in helping veterans and military spouses build successful civilian careers,” said Ross Dickman, CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “With the additional contribution from Miles of Good Foundation, we will be able to connect thousands of service members with personalized career support that leads to meaningful employment opportunities.  Partnerships like this are critical to our mission and help create lasting pathways to economic stability for those who have served.” 

Since Miles of Good Foundation was launched in 2026, the foundation has contributed a total of nearly $400,000, adding to the more than $4.4 million Pilot has given since 2020, to assist military members, veterans and their families through education, career development and community programs.

“Those who serve our country bring an extraordinary sense of purpose, leadership and commitment to every stage of life,” said Meg Counts, president of Miles of Good Foundation and director of corporate giving and events at Pilot. “By supporting Hire Heroes USA and other trusted nonprofit partners, Miles of Good Foundation is proud to help military members, veterans and their families build strong futures beyond service while showing them how much their sacrifices truly matter.”

Pilot is also celebrating Military Appreciation Month with exclusive weekly offers in May for free food and drinks for eligible service members and their families at participating travel centers* when using the Pilot app. Once authenticated through ID.me in the Pilot app, verified service members will get access to the Military Appreciation Month weekly deals* and can continue to save year-round with a 10% discount on food and beverages** when using the Pilot app.

As a proud employer of veterans, Pilot also encourages former and transitioning service members and military spouses to explore career opportunities by visiting Careers.PilotCompany.com.

For more information about Military Appreciation Month offers at Pilot, visit PilotCompany.com.  

*See offers in the Pilot app for terms and conditions. 

**Visit https://pilotcompany.com/terms-and-conditions for terms and conditions.

As part of the company’s Miles of Good initiative, Pilot is continuing its long-standing support of the Call of Duty Endowment with its annual round-up** campaign and contributing $250,000 toward the organization’s mission of placing veterans into high-quality careers after their service. From November 8 through December 1, guests can round-up** their purchase to the nearest dollar or donate $1, $3 or $5 at any participating Pilot location. The Call of Duty Endowment will receive 100% of funds donated during this campaign. Since 2019, Pilot and its guests have given more than $5.2 million to the Call of Duty Endowment, helping over 8,000 veterans transition to civilian careers.

“Our company is rooted in showing people they matter at every turn and it is our privilege to honor the service and sacrifice made by our nation’s veterans,” said Brad Anderson, president of retail at Pilot. “We are grateful for the opportunity to help veterans find fulfilling careers in partnership with the Call of Duty Endowment and are honored to give thanks for their service by treating them and their families this Veterans Day.” 

On Veterans Day, November 11, Pilot is offering veterans, military personnel and their families who are authenticated with ID.me in the Pilot app their choice of a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or lunch item and fountain drink*. This limited-time offer can be claimed at participating Pilot locations through the Pilot app.* Pilot also offers year-round military savings for verified ID.me veterans, military members and their families with 10% discount on food and beverages when using the Pilot app***.

Pilot is a proud employer of veterans and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to join its team by visiting jobs.pilotcompany.com. To learn more about Call of Duty Endowment, visit callofdutyendowment.org.

*Offer is available 11/11/2025 from 12:01 AM ET to 11:59 PM ET. Must authenticate in the Pilot app via ID.me™ to receive offer and then must save offer in app and present myRewards card, barcode in app, or phone number associated with myRewards account at time of purchase. Offer may be redeemed in-store for one (1) hot sandwich AND one (1) hot coffee (any size), iced coffee (any size), OR fountain beverage (any size); excludes ICEE® beverages and bottled or packaged beverages. Valid only at participating U.S. Pilot, Flying J and One9 branded, owned and/or operated locations. Not valid at dealer/licensee locations or restaurants. Not valid in Canada. Single use only. Void where prohibited or restricted. Invalid on prior purchases. Cannot be sold, bartered, or combined with other offers. No cash value, rain checks, or substitutions allowed. Offer may be modified or terminated at any time. Subject to myRewards terms and conditions (https://pilotcompany.com/terms-and-conditions). Other terms may apply. Data rates may apply. © 2025 Pilot Travel Centers LLC.

**100% of the Call of Duty Endowment donations and round-up contributions Pilot collects from 11/08/25 at 12:01 AM (local time) through 12/1/25 at 11:59 PM (local time) will go to support the Call of Duty Endowment. Donations and round-up contributions only accepted at Pilot Flying J owned and operated stores in the United States. Not valid at dealer/licensee locations. Certain purchases (including, but not limited to, purchases made on fleet cards/direct bill programs and purchases made at the fuel pump) are not eligible for donations and round-up contributions. Void where prohibited. © 2025 Pilot Travel Centers LLC.

***Visit https://pilotcompany.com/terms-and-conditions for more details.

As part of Pilot’s purpose of showing people they matter at every turn, and through its recently launched Miles of Good initiative, the company is donating $100,000 to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of military members and first responders who have fallen or become disabled while serving their country or communities. This donation adds to the more than $2.7 million Pilot has given to support military and veteran-focused organizations since 2020.

"With contributions to organizations like Folds of Honor, we salute military service members’ legacies by helping provide educational scholarships,” said Meg Counts, director of corporate giving and events. “As a company grounded in serving others, we are honored to give our support to military members and their families who do so much to uplift and protect our communities.”

Throughout Military Appreciation Month in May, veterans, military personnel and their families who are authenticated with ID.me in the myRewards Plus app will unlock three free offers* each week that can be redeemed at participating Pilot locations. Deals include free Pilot coffee and fountain drinks, freshly prepared Pilot foods like pizza and breakfast sandwiches, and popular brand name cooler drinks.

Beyond these special offers, verified ID.me veterans, military members and their families can save year-round at Pilot with a 10% discount on food and beverages when using the myRewards Plus app.**

As a proud employer of veterans, Pilot encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to join its team by visiting jobs.pilotflyingj.com. For more information about Pilot’s Miles of Good giving program, visit pilotflyingj.com.

*To receive offer, guest must authenticate their military status through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app, save the offer in the app, and present myRewards card, barcode in the app, or phone number associated with myRewards account at time of purchase. Valid in the U.S. only. See offer details and full terms and conditions in the app.

** Visit https://pilotflyingj.com/terms-and-conditions for more details.

"It’s an honor for Pilot to continue to celebrate and honor the incredible heroes across our country - the truck drivers who safely put millions of miles on our highways to keep us going and our servicemembers, first responders and their families who sacrifice so much for our nation,” said Wendy Hamilton, chief of staff at Pilot. “Giving back to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the communities we serve, especially through education, is a small way to show our gratitude and support their future. We look forward to seeing more truck drivers out here and are thankful for the work done through Folds of Honor and their scholarship programs.”

Since its inception in 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded over 62,000 academic scholarships totaling about $290 million in all 50 states. The $50,000 donation from Pilot will provide Folds of Honor with resources to further support the education of the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders across the country.

"Folds of Honor is grateful for the support of Pilot,” said Folds of Honor CEO and founder, Lt Col Dan Rooney. "This contribution will enable us to heighten our impact and further our mission to honor the sacrifice of America’s service members and first responders and educate their legacy. Pilot, its team members and the individuals it serves are true patriots that understand the importance of education and are doing something about it.”

Pilot proudly employs veterans and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to apply by visiting jobs.pilotflyingj.com/talent-communities. For more information about Pilot’s commitment to giving back and its family of travel center brands, visit pilotcompany.com. To learn more about Folds of Honor, visit foldsofhonor.org.

From November 9 through November 30, 2024, guests can choose to round up their in-store purchase to the nearest dollar at any participating Pilot, Flying J or One9 Fuel Network travel center.** All proceeds will be directly donated to Call of Duty Endowment. Since 2019, Pilot and its guests have raised over $4 million for Call of Duty Endowment, resulting in more than 7,000 successful veteran career placements. 

"We are deeply grateful to our nation's veterans and their families for their sacrifice and service and consider it a privilege to express our thanks with a complimentary meal at our stores on Veterans Day,” said Brad Anderson, chief operating officer at Pilot. "With our guests’ generous support, Pilot will continue making a lasting difference for service members and their families. We take pride in and appreciate our many veteran team members and are thankful to be able to give back in such a meaningful way by helping other veterans find rewarding careers.”

On Veterans Day, service members and their families verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app will be eligible for a free meal credit up to $12.* The Veterans Day offer can be claimed on November 11 through Pilot’s myRewards Plus app and redeemed at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers on a variety of food and beverage options, including hot and cold deli items, fountain beverages and Pilot coffee.*

With successful ID.me verification, service members will also enjoy exclusive deals and a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages* at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers when checking out with myRewards Plus. Learn more about Pilot’s military discount at pilotflyingj.com/rewards. For more great deals and to quickly find nearby Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers, download the myRewards Plus app.*

Pilot proudly employs veterans and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to apply by visiting jobs.pilotflyingj.com/talent-communities. For more information on Call of Duty Endowment, visit callofdutyendowment.org.

*Must use myRewards Plus app after verified through ID.me to redeem. Data rates may apply. Certain food and beverage exclusions apply. Good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Other terms and conditions apply. Visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards for more details. Meal Offer Period is 11/11/24 only.

**Certain purchases (including, but not limited to, purchases made on fleet cards/direct bill programs or purchases made at the fuel pump) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

From October 23 through November 12, 2023, visit any participating Pilot, Flying J or One9 Fuel Network travel center to round up purchases to the nearest whole dollar. Pilot Company will donate 100% of the roundup proceeds directly to the Call of Duty Endowment.** This year, the company is aiming to raise $1 million and will match donations up to $100,000 to help the Call of Duty Endowment place more than 1,600 service members and their families into successful careers. Since 2019, Pilot Company and its guests have raised over $3 million in donations for the Call of Duty Endowment, resulting in more than 5,500 veterans finding post-military careers.

“We owe our nation's veterans and their families our gratitude and are honored to offer them a free meal in our stores to celebrate Veterans Day,” said Brian Ferguson, Air Force veteran and chief merchant at Pilot Company. “It’s great to have organizations like the Call of Duty Endowment dedicated to helping find opportunities for veterans to lead and excel in their careers after the military. We are proud of our veterans at Pilot Company, and I am grateful to my fellow veterans for their service and sacrifice. Happy Veterans Day.”

Over Veterans Day weekend, service members and their families verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app will receive a free meal credit valued up to $12.* The Veterans Day offer can be claimed November 10-12, 2023, through the myRewards Plus app and redeemed at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers on a wide range of food and beverage options, including hot and cold deli items, popular snacks, fountain drinks, Pilot coffee and meals at participating on-site restaurants.* Any remaining balance from the one-time $12 credit will be reflected on the guest's receipt after checkout and can be used on subsequent visits during the offer period through Veterans Day weekend.*

Once verified with ID.me, service members can access exclusive deals and a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages* at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers when using myRewards Plus at checkout. For more information on Pilot Company’s military discount, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its giving-back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about. To quickly find nearby Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers and for more great deals, download the myRewards Plus app.* More information on the Call of Duty Endowment is available at callofdutyendowment.org.

Pilot Company proudly employs veterans across its organization and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to apply to any of their open positions by visiting jobs.pilotflyingj.com/talent-communities. 

*Must use myRewards Plus app to redeem. Data rates may apply. Certain food and beverage exclusions apply. Other terms and conditions apply. (see pilotflyingj.com/rewards)

**Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bill programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

###

"From our Pilot family to all the military families across the country, thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice,” said Brian Ferguson, Chief Merchant at Pilot Company and Air Force veteran. “This Military Appreciation Month, we want to show our gratitude by treating service members to free snacks and drinks during their travels and by joining Hire Heroes USA to connect veterans with resources and opportunities to pursue their career ambitions after leaving the service.”

Hire Heroes USA is a leading veteran employment nonprofit that has helped thousands of military members, veterans and military spouses successfully transfer their skills into the civilian workforce. The $100,000 donation from Pilot Company will provide Hire Heroes USA with the resources needed to guide more military members through the transition process, including placing more veterans into careers at Pilot.

"It is thanks to long-time partners like Pilot Company that our veterans and military spouses are empowered to secure well-fitting and well-paying jobs,” shared Andrew Sandoe, CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “We at Hire Heroes USA are thankful for Pilot Company's belief in our organization and commitment to our nation's veterans."

Pilot Company is extending its thanks during Military Appreciation Month with exclusive offers* throughout May for veterans and their families, in addition to its year-round 10% discount** on food and beverages. To redeem these special deals, download the myRewards Plus app***, authenticate through ID.me, and visit any of the more than 650 participating owned and operated Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers in the U.S. Military veterans in Canada can also validate their military status through ID.me and utilize the year-round 10% military discount** when checking out at participating Canadian Flying J travel centers.

Pilot Company proudly employs veterans across its organization and encourages former and transitioning military members and their families to apply. Recently Pilot launched its summer hiring campaign to bring on 10,000 team members as they prepare for the busy travel season. Interested candidates can apply at jobs.pilotflyingj.com/nationalhiring.

For more information about Pilot Company’s commitment to giving back and its family of travel center brands, visit pilotcompany.com. To learn more about Hire Heroes USA, visit hireheroesusa.org.

*Military Appreciation Month offers are available to U.S. military service members and their immediate family verified with ID.me in the myRewards Plus app for redemption at participating U.S. owned and operated Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.

**Year-round military discount applies to U.S. and Canadian service members and their immediate family verified with ID.me. Discount is available to be redeemed at participating U.S. owned and operated Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers with the myRewards Plus app and at participating Canadian Flying J travel centers at the point of purchase. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.

***Data rates may apply. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.

Over the last four years, Pilot Company’s partnership with the Endowment has helped place more than 6,000 veterans into meaningful careers after the military. Guests can join the cause to help veterans find high-quality careers by rounding up their in-store purchase to the nearest whole dollar at any of the company’s owned and operated Pilot, Flying J or One9 Fuel Network travel centers from October 31 - November 13, 2022.** Pilot Company will donate 100% of the roundup proceeds** directly to the Call of Duty Endowment and will match the donations raised up to $100,000.

“Service members and their families give their all for our country and have incredible talents to offer in the civilian workforce upon leaving the military,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “The Call of Duty Endowment has helped more than 100,000 veterans and their family members find career opportunities that leverage their skills, and we are honored to join them in this endeavor. We are proud to employ veterans across our organization and to further our mission to Fuel Life’s Journeys by giving back and saying, ‘Thank you’ to everyone who’s served.”

From November 11 - 13, 2022, service members and their families verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus app will receive a free meal credit, valued up to $12. ** The Veterans Day offer can be redeemed through the myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers on a wide variety of food and beverage options, including hot and cold deli items, name-brand snacks, fountain drinks, Pilot coffee, and meals at participating on-site restaurants. This year, the $12 Veterans Day meal credit will be a rolling balance, allowing guests to use any remaining balance the next time they stop over Veterans Day weekend during the offer period.

Pilot Company partners with ID.me, an easy-to-use instant verification solution, to make it simple and efficient for service members to quickly verify their eligibility in the myRewards Plus app. After verification, Pilot Company offers exclusive deals throughout the year and a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages* when using myRewards Plus at checkout. For more information on Pilot Company’s military discount, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its giving-back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about. To easily find nearby Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers and for more great deals, download the myRewards Plus app.* More information on the Call of Duty Endowment is available at callofdutyendowment.org.

*Must use myRewards Plus app to redeem.  Data rates may apply. Certain food exclusions apply.  Other terms and conditions apply. (see pilotflyingj.com/rewards)

**Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bill programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

United Through Reading understands how difficult it is to be away from home and the importance of staying connected to even the youngest family members. Their program has helped over 2.7 million military family members read together since 1989, even when oceans separate those families. UTR proudly serves members of the military, including Guard and Reserves regardless of status, as well as Veterans, especially those in the Transportation Industry.

The service member or Veteran makes a recording with United Through Reading’s Mobile Reading App, and the recording and book are given to the child for free to read along with their loved one on demand. Truckers can make recordings before they leave home and record more stories while on the road as time permits using ebooks available on the App. Reading together as a family with United Through Reading helps families maintain connection, reinforces family routines, provides reliable communication, and bolsters literacy skills.

“Finding a way for my husband to connect with our children while he’s away is a top priority for me. He is the reader in our house, so it goes without saying that he wants to keep reading to them while he’s away. I found United Through Reading and knew right away it would be perfect for our family. We have the App installed on both kids’ tablets and the ‘daddy phone.’ They love that they can have him read to them whenever they want, and they can read along with the books we have at home!” – Alicia, a National Guard Spouse

Since 2020, Pilot Company has been United Through Reading’s Transportation Industry Veteran Outreach Partner, helping us reach and provide services through the United Through Reading App to Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard Members, especially truckers and others in the Transportation Industry.

To get started with United Through Reading follow these simple steps:

1. Download the United Through Reading App to your mobile device or tablet from utr.org/app

2. Login or create an account using your ID.me credentials to verify your military service

3. Select a book to read – the App has several ebooks to choose from or request a free book from utrapp.org

4. Make your recording and send to the caregiver of the child in your life. A copy of the book can be requested for free through our online web viewer.

5.Child reads with their United Through Reading story time recording whenever they are missing the trucker in their life

Learn more at about how United Through Reading supports Veteran and military families on their website at unitedthroughreading.org.

Launched by President Abraham Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor is our country’s highest and rarest recognition of the great sacrifices made by individuals protecting the red, white, and blue. It’s given to those in the U.S. army who have exemplified “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against the enemy of the United States.” So far, there have been 3,511 Medal of Honor recipients.

This year, 35 living Medal of Honor recipients came to Knoxville for a week full of festivities focused on reuniting and honoring recipients and their families while educating the next generation.

One of the Medal of Honor recipients, Leroy Petry shared with the Knox News Sentinel “I hope that people who are able to engage with these recipients realize we’re no different than anyone else. That every one of us is capable of amazing things… What this medal represents to me is all those who have served or are serving, and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.”

A few of our team members, including several veterans, had the incredible opportunity to attend the Patriot Awards Gala at the Knoxville Convention Center for a final celebration to honor the recipients and recognize influential leaders for their support of the Medal of Honor and military. Attendees had the pleasure of hearing from keynote speakers including Gary Sinise, Top-Gun star Glen Powell (“Hangman”), Ambassador Nikki Haley, NBC News Correspondent Courtney Kube, and Dr. Timothy Miller.

“This was a pretty remarkable event — Some of our nation’s greatest past heroes and many of our nation’s current heroes were all together in the same room. It was a great event for Knoxville to host and for our company to support.” – Brian Ferguson, chief merchant of Pilot Company.

We’re looking forward to continuing to support our military through more giving back initiatives this fall. To see our history of giving back as a company, click here.

“This was a pretty remarkable event — Some of our nation’s greatest past heroes and many of our nation’s current heroes were all together in the same room. It was a great event for Knoxville to host and for our company to support.” – Brian Ferguson, chief merchant of Pilot Company.

We’re looking forward to continuing to support our military through more giving back initiatives this fall. To see our history of giving back as a company, click here.

This week is also our inaugural Team Member Appreciation Week, and we had a chance to catch up with a few of our military Pilot Team Members and say thanks.

Thank You, Kera

Kera Porter served six and a half years as a Black Hawk helicopter mechanic in the US Army. After graduating from Fountainhead College of Technology, she joined Pilot on our Help Desk team. Since then, Kera has been a member of the network operations center and IT security team and currently serves as an Observability Engineer. In July of this year, she will celebrate ten years at Pilot Company!

What advice would you give to fellow service members transitioning from the military into the civilian world?

“Find something you are passionate about. There are many different programs out there that will help you get into needed fields, especially IT. Go after those and look for companies that are veteran-friendly.” – Kera Porter.

Thank You, Shaddy

Shaddy Bowling served in the US Army for 11 years and was a platoon sergeant. When he was exiting the military, he attended an event where Pilot had a table to recruit people in our travel centers. He was interested in the Transportation side and had previous driving experience. Shaddy has been with Pilot for almost three years and currently serves as a field supervisor for region four and lives and operates out of the Dallas Fort Worth area.

What does he love about working at Pilot?

“Pilot is great at taking care of their people and providing a work and family balance that you don’t (and can’t) get with many companies, especially in the transportation world.” – Shaddy Bowling.

Thank You, Greg

Greg White served 23 years in the US Army, first as an infantry officer, then as a military strategist. Greg joined the team in January 2022 and currently serves as the General Manager for store Travel Center #6996 in Warsaw, North Carolina. After six months with Pilot, Greg says that he loves the engagement of his team and the support he receives from leadership.

His advice to transitioning service members?

“Understand it is going to be different. In the military, everyone is focused on one goal, which is to serve the country. When you get out of the military, you have to recognize that everyone has different goals and different motivations, but we can all still work together.” – Greg White.

Thank You, Lisa

For three years, Lisa Umali served as a counterintelligence special agent in the US Army. After serving, she was recruited by a Pilot to come aboard as a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) and has been with Pilot for two years. One of the things that she loves about Pilot is the history and culture of the company.

What advice does she have for fellow servicemen and women trying to find a job?

“Research the companies that you are interested in or interviewing with and make sure that you ask questions about what is important to you (culture, responsibilities, career growth, work-life balance, etc.).” – Lisa Umali

Thank you all for sharing your military background with us. We are honored to have you and all of our veteran servicemen and women across our company as part of the team. We are grateful for all you have done and continue to do.

Click here to learn more about Pilot’s commitment to giving back to veterans throughout the year.

During the filming, we had the privilege to learn more about Brian, a veteran and professional driver for ten years who is about to celebrate his first 1 million miles behind the cab. He spent 21 years in the Navy and completed multiple overseas deployments as a heavy equipment operator, “If it had wheels or tracks, I drove it,” he said.

After retiring from the Navy in 2009, he took his decades of experience operating heavy equipment and hit the road, delivering freight across the country. While he is spending weeks out on the road, Brian relies on Pilot Flying J for a clean and friendly place to rest and refuel, and he frequently uses the myRewards Plus™ app to help.

“The most important is getting the prime parking. If it’s late in the afternoon and I know I have to drive until 8 or 9 pm, I will pull up the app and look up the closest Pilot or Flying J to the area. Then I can see the available parking spots you have and will go ahead and reserve a spot,” Brian said. “I love it when I don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot; if I reserve a spot, I know I got it.”

As a veteran, he takes advantage of our Military Discount Program all year long to save money in our stores which he can put towards a hot shower. The shower remodels are something he is excited to see as part of our upgrades across North America. Being able to refresh before you get back out there makes a huge difference, and “Pilot Flying J always has that extra person to make sure the showers are clean and ready to go. You can tell they aren’t afraid to spend the money to have that extra someone there to take care of you,” Brian said.

As he hops out of his truck back home in McComb, Mississippi, his advice to new drivers just getting into the industry, “there is a lot to learn on the road as you go, you’re going to get aggravated, have patience, learn the trucker etiquette, and enjoy the trip.”

Thank you, Brian, for being part of this exciting initiative, and more importantly, thank you for your continued service to our country. We thank all our veterans for their bravery and sacrifice and look forward to seeing you in our travel centers. For more details on how we are celebrating Military Appreciation Month in May, click here.

“We are passionate about serving those who protect our country and are grateful for organizations like Hire Heroes USA that are helping find meaningful and successful careers for these highly skilled service men and women,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “Pilot appreciates and recognizes the strong leadership qualities and talents that they bring to our team and is proud to have veterans employed across our organization. We hope partnerships like this will bring more veterans into the workforce."

Hire Heroes USA is one of the most influential employment assistance organizations in the country, helping transitioning service members secure thousands of jobs each year. With this $100,000 donation, Hire Heroes USA will be able to take 100 military members through the transition process and into great careers.

"It is thanks to long-time partners like Pilot that our veterans and military spouses are empowered to secure well-fitting and well-paying jobs,” shared Andrew Sandoe, CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “We at Hire Heroes USA are thankful for Pilot's belief in our organization and commitment to our nation's veterans."

Job seekers are encouraged to apply with Pilot Company. As the largest network of travel centers, the company is actively hiring more than 10,000 positions in retail and food service at its stores, to transport fuel and DEF as company drivers, and in corporate positions at its offices in Knoxville, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston. For more information and to apply, visit jobs.pilotflyingj.com.

Pilot Company is extending its thanks during Military Appreciation Month with exclusive offers in May and a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages for the military and their families. To redeem these special deals**, including free pizza and fountain drink, free Full Throttle energy drink, and 50% off hats, download the myRewards Plus^TM app*, verify through ID.me and visit a participating U.S. Pilot or Flying J travel center. Canadian military veterans can also validate their military status through ID.me and utilize the year-round 10% military discount when checking out at a participating Flying J travel center in Canada**.

More information on Hire Heroes USA is available at https://www.hireheroesusa.org/. To learn more about Pilot Company and its longstanding commitment to giving back, visit pilotcompany.com/about.

*Data rates may apply. Other terms and conditions may apply.

**Offers are only available at Pilot and Flying J locations in the US and only for US veterans verified through ID.me. The year-round discount applies to US and Canadian veterans verified through ID.me.

As a veteran-founded company, we are honored to celebrate these brave men and women across our country and beyond by partnering with Hire Heroes USA, an organization dedicated to helping find successful and meaningful careers for our veterans and their spouses after transitioning from military service. Pilot Company donated $100,000 to Hire Heroes USA to help aid 100 service members and their families in finding employment in the civilian world.

“We are passionate about serving those who protect our country and are grateful for organizations like Hire Heroes USA that are helping find meaningful and successful careers for these highly skilled service men and women,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “Pilot appreciates and recognizes the strong leadership qualities and talents that they bring to our team and is proud to have veterans employed across our organization. We hope partnerships like this will bring more veterans into the workforce.”

Kai Hull

After leaving the Marine Corps with over eight years of service, Kai was armed with years of experience as an Electronics Maintenance Technician and a high school diploma. With his military experience, he became interested in IT and enrolled himself in programs to gain network and security certifications that would help lay the foundation for his civilian career.

He then turned to Hire Heroes USA for support in searching and evaluating the opportunities that were out there for him. With a competitive resume and some excellent coaching, Kai accepted a position across the country in Maine and is pursuing his dream professional path. “It was nice to have someone as invested in my career as I was,” he said.

“It is thanks to long-time partners like Pilot that our veterans and military spouses are empowered to secure well-fitting and well-paying jobs,” shared Andrew Sandoe, CEO of Hire Heroes USA.

∗On May 19, 2022 from 12:00 – 4:00 PM EST Hire Heroes USA will be hosting a Virtual Career Fair. Find more information and register for the event by clicking here.

Extending Our Thanks to You

All year long veterans and their families receive a 10% discount on food and beverages in our travel centers across North America. Now, veterans who are verified through our partnership with ID.me in the myRewards Plus^TM app will receive exclusive deals all month long in our stores. Check out the great weekly offers below or visit the app for more information.

To claim these great offers and take advantage of our year-long discount download the myRewards Plus^TM app, visit the offers page, and follow the steps under the Military Discount Program. Within a few minutes, you are verified through ID.me and ready to save. New this year, Canadian Military Veterans can now verify their service through ID.me and take advantage of the year-long discount program.

On behalf of Pilot Flying J, thank you all for your service and we look forward to serving you in our travel centers!

From Loyalty Day on May 1st to Memorial Day on May 30th, May holds several military-specific holidays throughout the month, find out more by visiting www.uso.org.

To read more great stories like Kai’s and find more information on Hire Heroes USA, visit https://www.hireheroesusa.org/. To learn more about Pilot Company and its longstanding commitment to giving back, visit pilotcompany.com/about.

“We’re proud to support military service members and their families every day with a year-round discount at our stores,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “For Veterans Day, it was important that we do something special to not only thank Veterans, but also support them. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of our guests and the hard work of our team members to raise this record-setting amount for the Call of Duty Endowment that will help thousands of Veterans find their next career.”

As a part of its giving-back commitment, Pilot Company has partnered with the Endowment since 2019 to support the nonprofit’s goal to help 100,000 Veterans secure post-service employment by 2024. From October 25 – November 15, guests were invited to join the cause by rounding-up their change at the company’s more than 750 participating U.S. travel centers, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the Endowment. Pilot Company matched $100,000 of the donations.

To help raise awareness for the Call of Duty Endowment’s mission and recognize Veterans, the campaign was featured on the Pilot Flying J No. 1 Chevroletin two Xfinity Series races: at the Martinsville Speedway on October 30 and at the Phoenix Raceway on November 6. The Pilot Flying J No. 1 Chevrolet featured a camouflage picture collage of Veterans that have received employment assistance through the Endowment and of Pilot Company team members that are Veterans, including the company’s Founder, Jim Haslam II.

On Veterans Day, Pilot Company thanked all active-duty service members and veterans with a free $10 meal* through the myRewards Plus^TM app. Military members that verify their status with ID.me in the myRewards Plus^TM app can always get special savings, including a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages*, at the company’s participating Pilot Flying J Travel Centers and One9 Fuel Network locations.   

For more information about the Call of Duty Endowment, go to callofdutyendowment.org. To learn more about Pilot Company, including career opportunities and its giving-back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about.

*Data rates may apply. Other terms and conditions apply.

“We are honored to host our annual Road Warrior contest and give back to the professional drivers who have such a significant impact on our economy and who work so hard to serve our communities,” said Shameek Konar, CEO for Pilot Flying J. “This recognition is one way we say, ‘thank you’ to the professional drivers we get to serve each day. Congratulations to Eric, Eduardo and David for being our top Road Warriors this year – we appreciate your dedication, commitment to safety and passion for helping others.”

Each year, the Road Warrior is selected based upon story submission, including contributions to the trucking industry, safe driving history, miles driven and community involvement. This year, Pilot Flying J received thousands of nominations with incredible stories about hardworking haulers from across the country.  

Grand prize winner, Curlett, is a husband, father, Marine Veteran and glass hauler at Maverick Transportation for six years. Curlett has an outstanding driving record and has been named Driver of the Month and Driver of the Year for the company. While he is always willing to go out of his way to help fellow professional drivers, he also gives back to his community, including participating in a yearly convoy that raises money for the Arkansas Special Olympics.

"After 20 years of faithful service in the Marine Corps, I knew the trucking industry had plenty of opportunities in any direction and found that open-deck trailers were the best fit for me," said Curlett. "To those that are looking to get into the industry, I recommend they research everything and don't hesitate to call companies and other drivers to get the information needed to make the decision that is right for you."

Curlett was nominated by a fellow professional driver and friend, who described him as “one of the best humans” he has ever met. To announce his grand prize win, Pilot Flying J partnered with Maverick Transportation and Curlett’s family to surprise him with the news in a congratulatory video. To view this special moment and Curlett’s reaction, visit pilotflyingj.com/roadwarrior.

"I'm honored that a peer and friend in this industry nominated me for this recognition," said Eric Curlett. "I didn't expect to win and it definitely took me by surprise. I look forward to taking my family to a warm weather place to spend a week together."

In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, Pilot Flying J awarded $5,000 to second place winner, Andrade, a father, grandfather, Army Veteran and Master Driver for Baylor Trucking who has logged more than 2.5 million safe miles. Third place winner, Rosenquist, received a $2,500 prize in recognition of his 40 years as a professional driver with 5 million accident-free miles.

To learn more about our 2021 Road Warrior contest and winners, visit pilotflyingj.com/roadwarrior.

Pilot Company has been a supporter of the Endowment since 2019, contributing toward their goal of placing 100,000 veterans into high-quality jobs by 2024. In honor of Veterans Day, guests at participating owned and operated Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers can join the Endowment’s mission by rounding up their purchase** from October 25 – November 15, 2021. Pilot Company will match the donations up to $100,000 and 100% of the proceeds from the round-up will go directly to the Endowment. This year’s campaign hopes to raise $500,000, enough to support nearly 1,000 veterans in their transition into post-military careers.

“We are proud to be a veteran-founded company and we want to honor our servicemen and women whenever we have the opportunity,” said Shameek Konar, CEO of Pilot Company. “Working with the Call of Duty Endowment is an amazing way to help veterans find a great career after they’ve graciously served our country. We have many veteran team members and guests and look forward to showing them our appreciation by welcoming them to our stores for a free meal on us.”

On Nov. 11, veterans authenticated with ID.me in the myRewards Plus^TM app can save their exclusive offer* for a $10 free meal credit. Veterans can choose from a variety of food and beverages, including Pilot coffee, fountain drinks, non-alcoholic cooler beverages, hot and cold food items, name-brand snacks and purchases at over 680 participating QSR restaurants. The discount* is available to be redeemed at any of the company’s owned and operated U.S. locations, including over 750 participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers. To easily find nearby locations and for more great deals, download the myRewards Plus^TM app*.

Pilot Company is using ID.me, a group verification solution, to make it easy and simple for service members to quickly verify their eligibility in the myRewards Plus ^TM app. Once authenticated, service members will automatically receive a year-round 10% discount on food and beverages* when using myRewards Plus ^TM at checkout, in addition to receiving special offers throughout the year. For more information on the military discount, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its giving back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about. More information on the Call of Duty Endowment is available at callofdutyendowment.org.

*Data rates may apply. Other terms and conditions apply.

**Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bill programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

Founded 63 years ago by Jim Haslam, a Korean War veteran, Pilot Company is proud to extend its longstanding support of service members by offering this year-round discount to eligible guests and team members.  The discount can be redeemed at participating owned and operated locations, including over 700 Pilot Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers and 680 fast food restaurants in the U.S.

“It is our honor to provide this discount program in appreciation of the military community and all they do for our country,” said Haslam. “We are forever grateful to them for their service and this is one way we are able to give back to those who have given so much. This July 4^th, let’s all take a moment to reflect and thank those who have sacrificed so that we may continue to celebrate our independence.”

Pilot Company is using ID.me, an identity verification solution, to make it easy and simple for service members to verify their eligibility in the myRewards Plus ^TM app. Through the ID.me solution, guests and team members will validate their military status in just a few minutes and once completed, automatically receive the discount when using myRewards ^TM at checkout.

“We’re proud to be supporting this effort by Pilot Company to provide discounts to military community members,” said Blake Hall, Founder and CEO of ID.me and Iraq War veteran. “It is incredibly important to give back to the individuals that sacrifice to preserve our way of life.”

Once users are verified through ID.me in the myRewards Plus ^TM app, a green military badge will appear on the user’s profile page and a permanent saved offer tile will be on the Rewards page of the app indicating the discount is active. The 10% military discount applies to food and beverage purchases, including Pilot coffee, fountain drinks, non-alcoholic cooler beverages, hot and cold food items, candy, and snacks.*  For more information on the military discount and to download** the myRewards Plus ^TM app, visit pilotflyingj.com/rewards.

In addition to the new military discount program, Pilot Company gives back to military and veteran organizations that provide education and employment programs to support service members and their families. The company recently donated $100,000 to the Call of Duty Endowment in honor of Military Appreciation Month which will help place nearly 200 veterans into high-quality careers. To learn more about Pilot Company’s giving back initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about.

*Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Visit pilotflyingj.com/terms-and-conditions for details.

**Data rates may apply. Participating locations only. Other terms and conditions may apply.

“The holiday season is a special time to remember and recognize veterans for their sacrifice,” said James A. Haslam II, a U.S. Army veteran and founder of Pilot Company. “On behalf of our 28,000 team members, we sincerely thank the men and women who’ve selflessly served our country. We appreciate Wreaths Across America’s mission of remember, honor and teach and invite our guests to partner with us in support of their goal to lay a wreath on every hero’s grave.”

Now through Dec. 31, guests visiting any of the 750 company-operated stores in the U.S., including participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers* and One9 Fuel Network stores, can opt to round-up purchases** to the nearest whole dollar and donate the additional amount to Wreaths Across America. In remembrance of the company’s hometown heroes, Pilot Company is donating $20,000 and contributing $20,000 from the round-up campaign to support the Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“It is partners like Pilot Company that continue to step up and amaze us with their generosity, not just with the financial support of sponsoring wreaths, but in their commitment to the veterans in the industry and in their communities that deserve recognition,” said Karen Worcester, Executive Director, Wreaths Across America. “This new round up program is beyond anything we could have expected or hoped for and we are grateful to Pilot Company and all the professional drivers and carriers that help us move the mission.”

The round-up fundraiser is part of Pilot Company’s long-standing support of Wreaths Across America, including helping to fuel the organization’s traveling Mobile Education Exhibit to visit cities across the U.S. The exhibit is open to the public for free tours at several locations throughout the year and recently made a tour stop on October 20, 2020 at the Pilot Travel Center in Mebane, North Carolina. Pilot Company also supports and is honored to participate in Wreaths Across America’s celebration of veterans in the trucking industry, recognizing and thanking the veteran professional drivers that transport the wreaths to more than 2,200 locations across the country for the annual holiday wreath-laying ceremonies.

Pilot Company also will celebrate Veterans Day with a week-long special offer for all U.S. military veterans. From Nov. 9-15, all veterans are invited to enjoy a free Pilot Coffee of any size and one free breakfast offering, such as the french toast sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. The Veterans Day Breakfast Combo offer is available through the Pilot Flying J app and is redeemable at participating U.S. Pilot and Flying J travel centers.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its longstanding commitment to giving back, visit pilotcompany.com/about. For nearby travel center locations to donate and to redeem the breakfast offer for veterans, download the Pilot Flying J app.*** More information on Wreaths Across America is available at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

*Round-up donations made at Knoxville-area Pilot Convenience Stores will benefit JDRF through November 1, 2020 and Salvation Army from November 23 – December 25, 2020.

**Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bill programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

***Standard data rates may apply.

The timing of the campaign aligns with a national coin shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While Pilot Company continues to provide change as appropriate, the round-up option provides a simple way for guests to instead donate their change to support military veterans. Due to the economic impacts of the pandemic, veterans are urgently seeking employment and the Endowment’s grantee organizations recently reported a major increase in demand for their services and support. 

“As we celebrate the Fourth of July, it’s important to recognize those who serve and protect our country,” said James A. Haslam II, founder of Pilot Company and veteran. “Pilot has had a long history of giving back to veteran-related causes, including the Call of Duty Endowment. We are honored to partner with them again through this round-up campaign to assist veterans in finding high-quality careers. The change in your pocket can add up to life-changing support for our nation’s service men and women.”

Throughout the course of the two-week campaign, guests are invited to visit any of the 700 company-operated stores in the U.S. to participate, including Pilot and Flying J travel centers and restaurants, EZ Trip, Mr. Fuel, Stamart and Pride locations*. Guests will be prompted at checkout to round-up their purchase** or make a donation of another amount. When guests donate, 100% of the proceeds will benefit the Call of Duty Endowment to help veterans prepare and transition to civilian careers.

“We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and generosity of Pilot Company and their guests, who are helping us ensure high quality employment for veterans during these very difficult times,” said the Call of Duty Endowment’s executive director, CAPT Dan Goldenberg, US Navy (Ret.). “Every dollar raised goes directly to helping veterans find meaningful employment." 

The donations made during this campaign and Pilot Company’s previous $100,000 donation in 2019 for Veterans Day will help support the Endowment’s ambitious goal of getting 100,000 veterans back to work by 2024.

To learn more about Pilot Company and its longstanding commitment to giving back, visit pilotcompany.com/about. For nearby travel center locations to donate, download the Pilot Flying J app***. More information on Call of Duty Endowment is available at callofdutyendowment.org.

*Through July 12, round up donations made at Knoxville-area Pilot Convenience Stores will benefit the Alzheimer's Research Initiative at The University of Tennessee Medical Center to help find a cure for Alzheimer's disease.

**Certain purchases (including, without limitation, fuel and fuel additives and purchases made on fleet cards or direct bull programs) are not eligible for round-up contributions.

***Standard data rates may apply.