Wal-Mart’s Gisel Ruiz named USO Woman of the Year
by May 2, 2013 1:05 pm 163 views
Gisel Ruiz, chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., received the 2013 USO Woman of the Year Distinguished Service Award on Thursday (May 2) during a luncheon held in New York.
Ruiz said, "It’s such a privilege to stand up here today in the company of General Janet Wolfenbarger and the other esteemed honorees. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for all that you do for us and our country.”
She thanked Brian Whiting for his leadership and his personal commitment to the nation’s heroes, and his team and the USO of Metropolitan New York for recognizing what Walmart’s efforts to support veterans.
“When I got the call about this honor, I was humbled. And also a little surprised. I’ve never been through boot camp. I’ve never been sent on a life-threatening mission. I’ve never had to say goodbye to my two daughters and wonder with a broken heart when I would see them next,” Ruiz said.
“Then I realized . . . we all have a role to play. Every civilian, every business, every organization has the opportunity, the obligation, to protect what’s great about our country. And that’s why I’m here,” she said.
Wal-Mart has committed to hire 100,000 veterans who are returning from active service with an honorable discharge over the next five years.
Ruiz said Wal-Mart already employs 100,000 veterans to date, like Jessica Crow, who leads a team of nearly 500 people running a $103 million business.
Wal-Mart employee John Baschoff, did two tours in Iraq and was awarded the bronze star in 2005. He oversees asset protection for the entire market of metro Philadelphia.