Ohio is quietly becoming one of the most Veteran-friendly states in America—and the numbers prove it.

In this episode of The Callout Podcast, leaders from JobsOhio, The Ohio State University, the National Veterans Memorial & Museum, and the Ohio National Guard come together to discuss how Ohio is creating real opportunity for Veterans through education, employment, economic growth, and community support.

From Veteran education benefits and paid internships, to record-breaking infrastructure investment and job creation, this conversation breaks down why Veterans are choosing Ohio—and why Ohio is choosing veterans.

This episode covers:

• Veteran education with Ohio State University
• Economic growth and job creation across Ohio
• Transitioning from military service to civilian careers
• Mental health, community, and Veteran support systems
• Why Ohio’s veteran population is growing

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome to The Callout Podcast

01:10 – JP’s military background and Ohio roots

04:02 – JobsOhio’s mission and Veteran focus

06:36 – Ohio’s “Dread Factor” reputation explained

08:00 – National Veterans Memorial Museum story

12:11 – Veteran suicide and finding purpose

15:01 – Why the museum was built

17:47 – Connecting Veterans to education and jobs

19:00 – OSU President’s military journey

24:21 – Ohio as a top military-friendly state

31:47 – Ohio’s economic turnaround and growth

34:39 – Record investment and Veteran workforce demand

40:06 – Ohio State’s Veteran education promise

46:00 – Mega-projects creating thousands of jobs

50:13 – Hometown Heroes honoring Veterans statewide

54:19 – Preserving Veterans’ stories for history

01:01:06 – How Ohio truly supports Veterans

In this Callout episode, host Krisanthe sits down with retired Vice Admiral and Ohio State University President Walter “Ted” Carter and former Marine Corps Cobra pilot Luke Mansfield, now a senior account manager at Altec, to explore how military values and experience translate directly into careers across the utility world.

Timestamps:

2:27 – Admiral Carter’s 30-year Navy overview

4:52 – Introducing Luke and his Marine background

7:21 – Rural West Virginia farm roots

9:58 – 9/11 and decision to serve

13:02 – How “Naval” joins Navy and Marines

16:21 – Choosing Cobra helicopters over jets

20:13 – USS New York and 9/11 steel

26:09 – Altec interview focused solely on values

31:18 – Why utilities are ideal for veterans

45:05 – Translating carrier leadership to Ohio State

1:11:08 – One percent: linemen and service members

In this special episode of The Callout Podcast, the focus is on service, leadership, and why the power utility industry is one of the most meaningful and stable career paths for Veterans and skilled workers alike.

We are joined by co-host Ted Carter, President of The Ohio State University and retired U.S. Navy Admiral, and special guests Tracy Hawks of Asplundh and a U.S. Navy & Army Veteran, and Veteran linemen Paul Kaylor and Jason Novak with Ameren Illinois.

Ted Carter, President of The Ohio State University and retired U.S. Navy Admiral, who co-hosts the episode and brings a national perspective on energy infrastructure, workforce demand, and Veteran transition. With nearly four decades in uniform spanning naval aviation, nuclear power, and senior command, Ted shares why linemen are among America’s unsung heroes and why the future of the grid depends on disciplined, mission-driven people.

Tracy Hawks, a Navy and Army Veteran and Director of Training at Asplundh, walks through his unconventional path from military service to vegetation management, safety, and nationwide training leadership. Tracy explains why line work offers long-term stability, strong pay progression, and the same camaraderie that Veterans miss after leaving the military.

Paul Kaylor and Jason Novak, Veteran linemen with Ameren Illinois, share what life in the trade really looks like, from on-call storm response and long hours to the pride of restoring power when communities need it most.

• Paul opens up about his daughter Juliana’s battle with terminal brain cancer and how that journey inspired the creation of Climbing For Kids, a lineman-led initiative that raises funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

• Jason shares how the program grew from a simple idea into a national movement within the lineman community, including major impact at the International Lineman’s Rodeo.

Together, the group explores:

• Why Veterans are a natural fit for line work and utility careers

• The massive workforce gap created by retirements and rising energy demand

• How apprenticeship programs, GI Bill benefits, and climbing schools create real pathways into the trade

• The physical, mental, and family realities of working on the front lines of power restoration

• How community, purpose, and service continue long after the uniform comes off

This episode is both a call to action and a tribute to the men and women who keep the lights on. For Veterans searching for purpose, stability, and brotherhood, power utilities are not just a job, they are a home.