Armed Forces Week at CDW
Armed Forces Week (May 9–15, 2021) is a chance for everyone to show support for the people who make up the entire Armed Forces community including active duty service members, veterans, cadets and military families. As part of this week-long celebration, we asked three coworkers from various branches of the military to share what core values they bring to work every day and their favorite thing about working at CDW. 
Nate Kinard
(he/him/his)
Sr. Account Manager at CDW
Navy | Airman (SW), Aviation Boatswains Mate Equipmentment
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
The Navy’s Core Values are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The one that I want to focus on is Commitment. For me it is the commitment to best serve my customers, develop in my career at CDW, and relentlessly create with my coworkers. The commitment to bring a team-first attitude within our dynamic CDW work environment!
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
I was sworn into the Navy at U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox Park) August 7, 2007. My bootcamp division was sponsored by the Chicago White Sox.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
The comradery, everyone at CDW is here to help! CDW coworkers are invested in seeing the success of others! With the strength of CDW coworkers beside me and supporting me, I am able bring my authentic self to work EVERY DAY!
Favorite military book/movie?
Antwone Fisher and Men of Honor.
Ellie Wierzgacz
(she/her/hers)
Sales Analytics Specialist at CDW
Marine Corps | Personnel Administration Specialist/Sergeant
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
The Marine Corps Core Values are Honor, Courage and Commitment. Those core values are instilled into us in recruit training and define how Marines act and think. Each of those core values transition into my work life; Honor- always doing what’s right and holding myself to a high standard. Just being dependable and following through with what I’m tasked with no matter what it takes to get it done. In the military we don’t get a choice, we adapt and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Courage and commitment tend to tie in together as when placed in uncomfortable situations at work or assigned difficult tasks, I don’t ever allow myself to just give up; I do my best to push through and see these situations as opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
I grew up aspiring to one day become a veterinarian and was attending courses in a veterinary technician program. I remember in between class I saw military brochures outside of the college admissions office and the Marines one had a female Marine in her dress blues on it. It sparked my interest and I remember it was around the time the Katy Perry “Part of Me” song & music video came out. I would listen to that song on repeat in the months leading up to ship to recruit training. Long story short, I ended up at the Marines recruiting office, trained for months, and shipped off to boot camp to become a Marine! Growing up it was never even a thought in my mind that I would join the military let alone the Marine Corps, it was a very sudden decision. Total shock to my family, but truly the best decision of my life for so many reasons.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
My favorite thing about working at CDW is the people I work with and friendships I’ve gained. The overall culture at CDW is great and I’m proud to work here. Coming from the military where the level of camaraderie is really strong I was unsure how I’d acclimate to civilian work sector, but I’ve had a very positive experience with really supportive coworkers and humble leadership over the last four years I’ve been with CDW.
Favorite military movie?
Megan Leavey, based on a true story of a Marine Corporal that forms a close bond with her bomb-detection and patrol dog, Rex, who deployed with her in Iraq and both were injured in an IED explosion that separated them. After a receiving a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge, she dedicated her efforts to bring her dog back into her life once he was retired. Corporal Leavey’s story is amazing and gave me goosebumps.
Alden Smith
(he/him/his)
Vendor Warehouse Supervisor at CDW
Army | Military Police/ SPC4
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
I believe that I bring several core values from my military service to CDW but must say that selfless service, integrity and respect are the ones I incorporate into my everyday life. I always look for ways to put the well-being of my team ahead of my own and take responsibility for all my actions and choices. Not only am I respectful of others but I am unafraid to speak with those who are not, willing to have that conversation that helps them understand the impact they have on people around them.
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
While stationed at Ft. Riley, KS with the 1st Military Police Company, I conducted a traffic stop on a soldier named Timothy McVeigh, who, years later, bombed the Federal building in Oklahoma City.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
My favorite thing about working at CDW is the accomplishment I feel every day when my team and I pull together to get things done. Knowing we are servicing our customers and building our camaraderie is rewarding. We are a small team but always rise to the occasion.
Favorite military book/movie?
My favorite military movie is Uncommon Valor. The sacrifices made for others, for the good of those around us. Valor these days has become more uncommon.
– CDW Coworkers
At CDW, we are proud to hire and develop service members. Learn more about CDW and use our Skills Matcher here.
Armed Forces Week (May 9–15, 2021) is a chance for everyone to show support for the people who make up the entire Armed Forces community including active duty service members, veterans, cadets and military families. As part of this week-long celebration, we asked three coworkers from various branches of the military to share what core values they bring to work every day and their favorite thing about working at CDW.
Nate Kinard
(he/him/his)
Sr. Account Manager at CDW
Navy | Airman (SW), Aviation Boatswains Mate Equipmentment
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
The Navy’s Core Values are Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The one that I want to focus on is Commitment. For me it is the commitment to best serve my customers, develop in my career at CDW, and relentlessly create with my coworkers. The commitment to bring a team-first attitude within our dynamic CDW work environment!
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
I was sworn into the Navy at U.S. Cellular Field (White Sox Park) August 7, 2007. My bootcamp division was sponsored by the Chicago White Sox.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
The comradery, everyone at CDW is here to help! CDW coworkers are invested in seeing the success of others! With the strength of CDW coworkers beside me and supporting me, I am able bring my authentic self to work EVERY DAY!
Favorite military book/movie?
Antwone Fisher and Men of Honor.
Ellie Wierzgacz
(she/her/hers)
Sales Analytics Specialist at CDW
Marine Corps | Personnel Administration Specialist/Sergeant
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
The Marine Corps Core Values are Honor, Courage and Commitment. Those core values are instilled into us in recruit training and define how Marines act and think. Each of those core values transition into my work life; Honor- always doing what’s right and holding myself to a high standard. Just being dependable and following through with what I’m tasked with no matter what it takes to get it done. In the military we don’t get a choice, we adapt and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Courage and commitment tend to tie in together as when placed in uncomfortable situations at work or assigned difficult tasks, I don’t ever allow myself to just give up; I do my best to push through and see these situations as opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
I grew up aspiring to one day become a veterinarian and was attending courses in a veterinary technician program. I remember in between class I saw military brochures outside of the college admissions office and the Marines one had a female Marine in her dress blues on it. It sparked my interest and I remember it was around the time the Katy Perry “Part of Me” song & music video came out. I would listen to that song on repeat in the months leading up to ship to recruit training. Long story short, I ended up at the Marines recruiting office, trained for months, and shipped off to boot camp to become a Marine! Growing up it was never even a thought in my mind that I would join the military let alone the Marine Corps, it was a very sudden decision. Total shock to my family, but truly the best decision of my life for so many reasons.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
My favorite thing about working at CDW is the people I work with and friendships I’ve gained. The overall culture at CDW is great and I’m proud to work here. Coming from the military where the level of camaraderie is really strong I was unsure how I’d acclimate to civilian work sector, but I’ve had a very positive experience with really supportive coworkers and humble leadership over the last four years I’ve been with CDW.
Favorite military movie?
Megan Leavey, based on a true story of a Marine Corporal that forms a close bond with her bomb-detection and patrol dog, Rex, who deployed with her in Iraq and both were injured in an IED explosion that separated them. After a receiving a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge, she dedicated her efforts to bring her dog back into her life once he was retired. Corporal Leavey’s story is amazing and gave me goosebumps.
Alden Smith
(he/him/his)
Vendor Warehouse Supervisor at CDW
Army | Military Police/ SPC4
What are the military core values that you bring to work life?
I believe that I bring several core values from my military service to CDW but must say that selfless service, integrity and respect are the ones I incorporate into my everyday life. I always look for ways to put the well-being of my team ahead of my own and take responsibility for all my actions and choices. Not only am I respectful of others but I am unafraid to speak with those who are not, willing to have that conversation that helps them understand the impact they have on people around them.
What is something about you that would surprise the people in your unit or at CDW?
While stationed at Ft. Riley, KS with the 1st Military Police Company, I conducted a traffic stop on a soldier named Timothy McVeigh, who, years later, bombed the Federal building in Oklahoma City.
What is your favorite thing about working at CDW?
My favorite thing about working at CDW is the accomplishment I feel every day when my team and I pull together to get things done. Knowing we are servicing our customers and building our camaraderie is rewarding. We are a small team but always rise to the occasion.
Favorite military book/movie?
My favorite military movie is Uncommon Valor. The sacrifices made for others, for the good of those around us. Valor these days has become more uncommon.
– CDW Coworkers
