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State Farm^® will be highlighted in a nationally televised program that focuses on the military and veteran community.

“Operation Career” is a special edition of “Military Makeover,” with 30-minute episodes profiling various industries and career opportunities with companies that help veterans assimilate into the civilian workplace.

Transitioning out of the military back to civilian life brings a variety of challenges.

State Farm was invited to participate in a segment, titled “Operation Career: Employment Opportunities for Our Military Spouses & Veterans – Helping Our Heroes Transition from Military Life to The Civilian Workplace.”

Three State Farm veterans – Information Security Consultant Tony Tran, Claim Specialist Roger Perez and St. Petersburg, Fla., Agent Mimi Lange – are profiled in a segment that will air on the Lifetime Network Feb. 7 and 13 at 7:30 a.m. EST. State Farm has been recognized as one of the leading military-friendly employers supporting veterans and military employees, since 2009. Human Resources Talent Brand Specialist Jennifer Sneen shares company philosophy behind hiring the unique skill-sets and core-values of those who served, and her own story as a military spouse.

Inspired by the events of 9/11, Tony Tran joined the Marines out of high school in 2004. As a Staff Sergeant, he supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq in 2008 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2011. Tony began his State Farm career in 2016 as an Information Security Specialist.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Perez was commissioned through the Army ROTC program. Roger completed two one-year deployments to Kuwait, in 2003-2004 with the 336^th Finance Command and in 2010-2011 with the 335^th Signal Command. He retired after more than 20 years of service in 2012. Roger began his State Farm career in 2001 in Claims.

Mimi Lange joined the Army Reserves in high school before attending Delaware State University. The Civil Affairs Specialist spent her senior year of college in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon returning, she attended the Defense Language Institute, learning to read, write and speak Arabic. Mimi began her State Farm career in 2009 as an agent in Atlanta and transitioned to work at Corporate for two years before returning to agency in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Jennifer Sneen is a 24-year Army spouse who served as a Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader for the 209^th Military Intelligence Company while her husband was deployed in 2011. Jennifer also worked for the Department of Defense in the Retirements Office helping soldiers transition from active service. Jennifer began her career with State Farm as an Auto Claim Rep in 2013, accepted a Recruiter role in 2017, ascending to her current role.

The segment was filmed onsite at our Marina Heights campus in Phoenix.

“Operation Career” is a special edition of “Military Makeover,” with 30-minute episodes profiling various industries and career opportunities with companies that help veterans assimilate into the civilian workplace.

Transitioning out of the military back to civilian life brings a variety of challenges.

State Farm was invited to participate in a segment, titled “Operation Career: Employment Opportunities for Our Military Spouses & Veterans – Helping Our Heroes Transition from Military Life to The Civilian Workplace.”

Three State Farm veterans – Information Security Consultant Tony Tran, Claim Specialist Roger Perez and St. Petersburg, Fla., Agent Mimi Lange – are profiled in a segment that will air on the Lifetime Network Feb. 7 and 13 at 7:30 a.m. EST. State Farm has been recognized as one of the leading military-friendly employers supporting veterans and military employees, since 2009. Human Resources Talent Brand Specialist Jennifer Sneen shares company philosophy behind hiring the unique skill-sets and core-values of those who served, and her own story as a military spouse.

Inspired by the events of 9/11, Tony Tran joined the Marines out of high school in 2004. As a Staff Sergeant, he supported Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq in 2008 and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2011. Tony began his State Farm career in 2016 as an Information Security Specialist.

Lieutenant Colonel Roger Perez was commissioned through the Army ROTC program. Roger completed two one-year deployments to Kuwait, in 2003-2004 with the 336^th Finance Command and in 2010-2011 with the 335^th Signal Command. He retired after more than 20 years of service in 2012. Roger began his State Farm career in 2001 in Claims.

Mimi Lange joined the Army Reserves in high school before attending Delaware State University. The Civil Affairs Specialist spent her senior year of college in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Upon returning, she attended the Defense Language Institute, learning to read, write and speak Arabic. Mimi began her State Farm career in 2009 as an agent in Atlanta and transitioned to work at Corporate for two years before returning to agency in Saint Petersburg, Fla.

Jennifer Sneen is a 24-year Army spouse who served as a Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader for the 209^th Military Intelligence Company while her husband was deployed in 2011. Jennifer also worked for the Department of Defense in the Retirements Office helping soldiers transition from active service. Jennifer began her career with State Farm as an Auto Claim Rep in 2013, accepted a Recruiter role in 2017, ascending to her current role.

The segment was filmed onsite at our Marina Heights campus in Phoenix.

En Español

Freddy Rivera, a New York City native, finished two years at a university in Puerto Rico in 2000. He did well academically, but couldn’t find a good job and felt out of place.

“I grew up in New York City,” explains Freddy. “But my parents retired to Puerto Rico so I followed along.”

He realized he needed a new location and a career. With a lifelong respect of the military, Freddy enlisted in the Army. He went into combat three times, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Black Hawk mechanic and instructor.

He wanted to continue his Army career, but unfortunately Freddy had to medically retire in 2014 due to a traumatic brain injury and back injuries.

“I wanted to stay,” says Freddy. “It’s been difficult adjusting to civilian life. It’s very different and I was struggling.”

“After the Army, I was doing radio broadcasting and videos for local communities, but I was doing things the wrong way,” he continued. “I didn’t have a clue and desperately wanted to attend a school to learn the proper way, but they were all too expensive. So, I prayed, and got a miracle.”

One day, Freddy received an email from the Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN), offering free media training for veterans and their family members. Freddy responded to the school that night.

“I needed to attend their classes,” Freddy says. “This was my opportunity to learn something to carry me into my next career.”

He was accepted into CPBN’s Veterans Vocational Training Program (VVTP), which is supported by State Farm. But there was a catch. The classes were in Connecticut and Freddy now lived in Virginia with his family.

“It was scary,” he explains. “I had no place to live near the school, but I wanted this course so badly.”

A week before the program began, Freddy contacted a cousin in Connecticut who he had never met, and asked for help. She offered to rent him a room.

“It was tough leaving my wife and kids, but I thought of it as a deployment,” he says.

“PBN’s service to veterans is like nothing I’ve seen before,” he shares. “The staff treats veterans and their families with respect and kindness. Plus, I met other veterans with stories and experiences similar to mine. It made me feel comfortable and I formed many lasting friendships.”

Freddy attended a second semester while renting an apartment two blocks from the school. He took advantage of every class offered, learning new programs, videoing, editing, radio broadcasting, photography, and more. He even toured TV stations.

“Once Freddy enrolled in the program, he sought out every opportunity for growth and learning, says CPBN Senior Vice President of Education Donna Sodipo. “As a result, he not only passed his Adobe Premier Pro certification exam, but took the time to mentor high school students through WNPR's ‘Radio Lab’ project. His enthusiasm was contagious. Freddy’s dedication and success are remarkable, and speaks to the potential that can be realized through the Veterans Vocational Training Program.”

“The atmosphere around the program is great and they teach in a style that was very helpful for me to learn given all of my service connected conditions,” says Freddy. “I often asked the same questions over and over, but they always responded with patience and understanding.”

Freddy is back living with his family in Virginia, but continues to look for more CPBN courses. He currently creates websites, small videos, and t-shirt and print design, but hopes to own his own radio station one day. His goal is to bring positive messaging to his community, focusing on religion, current news, and sports.

“My experience with CPBN has been unforgettable,” says Freddy. “There is now a part of Connecticut and CPBN in my heart. The entire staff is amazing and they made the adrenaline pump through my veins again.”

“Thank you, CPBN and State Farm, for greatly impacting veterans’ lives, as well as our communities.”

Life for baby Mariam, is about to take a drastic turn.

The boy with the cape:

As a child, Jared Shoemaker of Tulsa, Oklahoma was known for helping others. Dubbed the “protector,” it was common to see the brown-eyed boy dressed as a superhero swooping in to save the day.

“Jared was strong, always lending a hand,” smiled his mother Linda. “In fact, when he learned a bully had been taking his younger brother’s lunch money, Jared chose to confront the culprit face to face."

All it took was one intense stare down from Jared, eye to eye with the bully...

The lunch money never wound up in the wrong pocket again.

A decision to serve

“As Jared got older, serving and protecting remained a top priority,” said his father Ken. A State Farm agent with a knack for helping others, Ken thought his son might follow in his footsteps.

“I wanted him to go into business, but Jared always wanted to be a Marine,” he smiled.

Jared joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2002, and in 2006 left for his first tour to Fallujah, Iraq.

“Our phone calls were scarce and when we did talk, Jared would tell us he was okay and things were fine,” Ken explained. “To be honest, he made it seem like an uneventful tour.”

Even his letters were basic. But between these lines of ink…a different story was unfolding.

Meeting Mariam:

While serving in Iraq, Jared and fellow service members encountered a frantic woman clutching a baby to her chest. It was clear, the child needed help.

Jared learned the baby named Mariam, had a rare medical condition where her bladder was growing on the outside of her body. Without medical care, she wouldn’t survive, but the decision to help was dangerous. With tensions high in Iraq, Jared and his platoon were frequently under enemy fire. So they created a plan to protect Mariam, her family and themselves.

Hope in the Night:

When the sun set, and the streets were clear, Jared and fellow Marines would visit the baby’s home in secret. But the troops knew these trips in the night were a temporary fix. Mariam needed more care.

Through a series of carefully coordinated efforts - plans were made to fly the baby girl to the United States for surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

A Precious Sacrifice:

That fall, Mariam’s life was saved. But Jared Shoemaker never knew that. Neither did his fellow Marines.

About a month prior to Mariam’s surgery, the men were on a routine patrol when they came in contact with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The bomb went off with a blast so forceful, everything changed in an instant.

On September 4, 2006, Jared Shoemaker lost his life.

He was 29 years old. Two other Marines passed away that day. Only one survived. 

The Protector’s Story: Revealed

Ken and Linda never knew their son had been working behind the scenes to save Mariam’s life, until one of Jared’s commanding officers visited their home.

“After Jared’s passing, he told us what had really been going on,” Linda explained. “It meant so much to hear this…it was very healing for me.”

“It shows our troops are there to make peace,” added her husband Ken. “You truly see the best of the best in these young men. They volunteer to serve and sacrifice. We owe them a lot.”

To this day, the Shoemakers have not met Mariam. A few weeks after her surgery, she and her family returned to Iraq. And yet, Mariam continues to hold a special place in the Shoemakers’ hearts.

Recently the Shoemakers attended a reunion with about 300 Marines, many of whom served with Jared. There, they learned one of the Marines would be heading back to the Middle East.

“He plans to put out some feelers - and see if he might be able to locate her,” smiled Ken.

The Shoemakers continue to pray for the child they never met. They pray for her safety, for her health and happiness.

And they hope one day, their paths will cross. “We would love it if we were able to meet her,” said Ken.

A Lasting Legacy:

In his short life, the boy with the cape, the ‘protector’ who loved superheroes…grew up to do more than save the day. Jared Shoemaker helped save lives.

Photo Credit Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World

“These men and women have a special call to duty, and should be honored,” said Ken. “Jared was there to help, and to protect the citizens of Iraq.”

And through his selfless acts of courage and kindness, Jared’s legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew...

This protector, turned hero.

It’s the start of a new month. That means Andrea Taylor and her team are busy planning how to get their good neighborly giving fix.

They became addicted after the 2014 holiday season.

“I wanted to do a 12 days of giving program. But, things were just too busy to get organized,” the Gahanna, OH State Farm Agent recalls. “So I decided I was going to commit to a plan for the coming year. 12 Months of Giving was the result.”

Giving back is now a habit. Andrea’s State Farm team identifies needs in their community. They then decide the steps to take to help fill those needs. Each month a different organization in the Columbus suburb benefits from a donation or volunteer support.

“We want to connect with the community in ways other than insurance. We want to get to know our neighbors, and for them to get to know us,” Andrea explains.

Personal passions often play a role in deciding organizations and causes to support. Andrea loves fashion, and helping women enter the workforce is important to her. So, Dress for Success^® Columbus was one of the first organizations selected. In addition to donations, Andrea volunteers as a personal stylist for their clients.

"Andrea has such a caring demeanor with the women we serve in the community. Her positive, energetic personality is contagious,"  said Molly Preston, DFSC Contributions Coordinator. "We are thrilled she is part of the Dress for Success Columbus team!“

Whether it's sponsoring several Gahanna Residents in Need (GRIN) programs, or filling Caitlins’ Smiles gift bags for children with terminal illnesses, or leading free yoga classes to promote community well-being; each effort is a work of heart.

“One of our most memorable months was last April. We closed the office for a day. My entire team visited families at the Ronald McDonald House in Columbus,” says Andrea.

They arrived during lunch with footballs, stickers, coloring books and teddy bears.

“We introduced ourselves to the families and asked each child to pick some items,” says Andrea. “One little boy was having a rough day and he was crying. When I asked if he’d like a football, he pointed to a bear. He grabbed it, hugged it and stopped crying. Our eyes welled up with tears. We were so overcome with emotion.”

Sometimes 12 Months of Giving attracts attention without even trying. Like the time she was out shopping for items needed by GRIN.

“My cart was overflowing with pasta, and other needed items listed on GRIN’s website,” says Andrea. “When people asked, ‘Are you feeding an army?’ I said ‘Yes, I am!’ I then introduced myself and told them about 12 Months of Giving.”

Many people in the local community are now familiar with the program. It's even extended overseas.

This past September, Team Taylor gathered eight boxes of donated items. They were sent to 10 female service members in Afghanistan. One of Andrea’s team members included handcrafted cards in each box. Her hope was the women could send the cards to their families to help give peace of mind during their deployments.

Truth is, he spends his free time giving back to those who gave so much for us. Dylan is part of a not for profit organization called Hearing Our Heroes. For two years Dylan and his friends have visited the VA hospital to provide lunches, run clothing and food drives, and shovel snow and do yard work.

“There is a future for America with kids likes this,” said Nick Mazella, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran.

Hearing Our Heroes is a group founded in 2011 by high school student Sean Egan.

“For me, giving back to veterans is very important because I feel that after my father, a NYFD captain was killed in the 9/11 attacks, our soldiers reassured us all that everything was going to be o.k," Seth shared. 

Seth started the group with no funds but a lot of heart and friends who wanted to help. Each of the 150 members will tell you they have learned to appreciate freedom, liberty and America because of the veterans they met through the program. .

Sean faced an uphill challenge to make his dream of helping veterans come true. In 2013 he received the help he needed when Hearing Our Heroes won a $25,000 grant provided by the State Farm Neighborhood Assist program.

“The goal of the Neighborhood Assist program is to empower communities through the individuals that live there,” said Cooper Kennard, State Farm Youth Advisory Board coordinator. “Through these grants, we’re hoping to help build these incredible projects and allow them to be sustainable for years to come.”

Sean believes that a debt to veterans is something that all Americans have in common, and when we meet and spend time with these men and women, and hear their stories, we understand how huge that debt is.

“Our cause encourages and spurs a sense of patriotism in our members that I am convinced we will hand down to our children," Seth said.