From Coast Guard Service to a Career in the Skilled Trades

Crete United is proud to partner with the DOD-SkillBridge program, creating meaningful career pathways for transitioning service members in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades. This program allows veterans to apply their leadership, problem-solving, and technical skills in critical industries that power our nation’s infrastructure.

Sam Handy joined AC Corporation, a Crete United company through SkillBridge after nearly a decade in the U.S. Coast Guard. He is the first of many veterans we hope to bring into Crete United companies through this program.

After serving in Portsmouth, Virginia; Bahrain; and San Diego, including eight deployments, Sam was ready to transition to a career where he could build something tangible while continuing to grow personally and professionally. The skilled trades quickly rose to the top, and through SkillBridge, Crete United stood out for its energy, openness, and willingness to invest in him as part of the team.

At his new role, Sam is focused on building a foundation in HVAC and the broader MEP industry, with a particular interest in estimating. He is excited to be part of projects from start to finish, seeing how all the systems come together.

Sam shared how his military experience shapes his approach to work and leadership:

“My military experience has shaped me as a leader and a team member to master my craft but remember that there is always more to learn. Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t.”

Outside of work, Sam studies nutrition and physical performance and enjoys learning new habits and techniques that contribute to health. He is also excited to get to know his colleagues’ stories and learn from their experiences.

Sam’s journey is just the beginning. Crete United is committed to continuing its partnership with SkillBridge, bringing more veterans into its companies and network. Programs like this allow veterans to transition successfully to civilian careers while enabling Crete United to invest in talented, disciplined individuals ready to make an impact.