As USS Enterprise Prepares for Decommissioning, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Reaffirms Commitment to U.S. Military Hiring, Celebrates Veterans Day

Enterprise Hiring More Than 1,500 Veterans, Reservists in 2012

ST. LOUIS,  2012-11-09 — /travelprnews.com/ —  As the U.S. Navy prepares to decommission its historic aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, another well-known Enterprise is marking Veterans Day by reaffirming its commitment to hiring military veterans and reservists. Enterprise Rent-A-Car, owned and operated by Enterprise Holdings – which also operates the Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands – has a longstanding relationship with the U.S. military, dating back to company founder Jack Taylor and his World War II service.

The U.S. Navy veteran named the company after the USS Enterprise, the ship on which he served as a fighter pilot, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The seventh of eight U.S. Navy ships named Enterprise, the World War II carrier is widely recognized as the most decorated warship in U.S. military history. In fact, Enterprise partnered with the History Channel in 2008 to present “Battle 360,” a 10-episode series highlighting the historic aircraft carrier.

Next month, the U.S. Navy will decommission the last remaining USS Enterprise – the nation’s oldest active-duty warship and the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in its fleet. “For us, the USS Enterprise will always be a unique reminder of the principles that the U.S. Navy instilled in my father during World War II,” said Andrew C. Taylor, who made a contribution to support the Dec. 1 ceremony in Norfolk, Va.

Hiring Initiatives

“Veterans Day is such a special national holiday for all of us here at Enterprise,” continued Taylor, who succeeded his father in the car rental business and today serves as chairman and CEO of Enterprise Holdings. “We are very proud of our military heritage, especially the thousands of veterans and reservists who are members of the Enterprise team.”

In line with its continued commitment to the military, Enterprise’s parent company will hire more than 1,500 veterans and active/inactive reservists by the end of 2012. More than 5,700 of the approximately 55,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car employees in the United States are military veterans or reservists. Enterprise pays the salary differential for employees on active duty so they continue to receive full pay throughout the duration of their service.

Enterprise is a member of the 100,000 Jobs Mission and of the White House Joining Forces Travel Industry Coalition, two initiatives committed to increasing the hiring of military veterans. In addition, Enterprise offices throughout the country are participating in Hiring Our Heroes events sponsored by local Chambers of Commerce. The company’s regional subsidiaries also work in a variety of ways at the grassroots level to support U.S. military veterans, for example:

  • In West Virginia, Enterprise is providing $1,500 to a local college to fund veteran student scholarships;
  • In Washington, D.C., Enterprise has been active in the 100,000 Jobs Mission, The Wounded Warriors Foundation, AMVETS, veteran services at local universities and has provided a grant to Operation Second Chance – an organization that supports veterans and their families transitioning back from military service;
  • In South Florida, Enterprise presented a workshop called “Tied to the Community: From Boots to Suits,” during which military service members participated in mock interviews and received resume tips, professional dress tips and tips about how to transfer military skills to the workplace;
  • In several cities through out the country, including Philadelphia, Pa., and Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, Enterprise is hosting annual appreciation breakfasts for veteran and military employees.

Enterprise, which serves more than 50 military bases throughout the United States, has been recognized with the prestigious Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. This is the highest honor given by the U.S. government to employers for support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. The company also has advanced to the 5-Star level in ESGR’s (Employer Support for the Guard and Reserves) Statement of Support Program for its longtime support of employees serving in the military.

In 2012, Enterprise was honored for the second time as a Freedom Award Nominee by the ESGR, and was one of only two Missouri companies to receive the first Extraordinary Employer Support Award from the ESGR for sustained support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Enterprise was also recognized in 2012 by the Vice Admiral, Chief of Naval Reserve, for the company’s support of Sailors in the Naval Reserve.

Visit http://go.enterpriseholdings.com/career-home.html for more information about Enterprise career opportunities. For more information about Enterprise Rent-A-Car, visit www.enterprise.com.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957 and known for an extensive network of locations, everyday low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand that has been named to BusinessWeek magazine’s annual list of “Customer Service Champs” in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. In addition, Enterprise won Budget Travelmagazine’s 2010 and 2011 Readers’ Choice Award as their favorite rental car brand for customer service around the globe. With more than 5,500 offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, Enterprise operates more than twice as many locations as its nearest U.S. competitor and continues to lead the home-city market.

St. Louis-based Enterprise Holdings owns and operates – through its regional subsidiaries – the Enterprise Rent-A-Car brand in the United States, Canada, UK, Germany and Ireland. Its worldwide network includes more than 8,200 neighborhood and airport locations – more than twice as many locations as Enterprise Holdings’ nearest U.S. competitor. With annual revenues of $13.5 billion and more than 72,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings also operates more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest and most comprehensive car rental service provider in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. For more information about Enterprise’s Corporate Sustainability Report or the brand’s long-term commitment to the sustainability of its business, visit www.DrivingFutures.com. This news release and other announcements are available at the Enterprise Holdings press room.

###