Written by April Yap

Every year on November 11, SOLV Energy joins families and friends in thanking our military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Veterans Day is a time to honor all the sacrifices each soldier has made within their military branch—Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force—knowing their willingness and dedication to serve our country is for the common good.  

The transition from military service to civilian careers is often challenging, but it’s also a journey that enriches both the individual and the company they join, like SOLV. We are proud to have several veterans who have seamlessly integrated their military expertise into their roles and reflect our core values in their day-to-day work. With the help of Airstreams Renewables, we were able to hire talented veterans into several Field Service roles.  

In recognition of this day, we spoke to some of our veterans from the O&M team about their journey in the military, and the lessons they’ve applied to their life now.  

Dan Jensen, Regional Lead - O&M Services

After spending 22 years in the military (six of those years in the Army Reserve), Dan’s first steps back into civilian life led him to be part of the SOLV family. His skills carried over to his current role as the Southwest Regional Lead of the O&M team, leading within a high-pressure environment where effective leadership and trust are essential. The transition for the Regional Lead was often challenging when going back into civilian life, especially when experiencing deployment for 4 to 15 months throughout his years of service.  

“Being in the military is different than the civilian sector,” the former Platoon Sergeant recalls, “But the idea stays the same for me. You have to trust the people you surround yourself with are going to help you back up—literally—in times of need.” After making the shift into his current role, Dan continues to leverage his discipline from the field to the many successful projects at SOLV today.  

Michael Cooter, Zone Lead - O&M Services

Making the decision during his junior year, Michael went straight into the Army branch after high school to serve as a tank mechanic. The military’s work ethic was highlighted to be more than just a business for Michael, where the foundation for him directly translates to one’s ability on successfully executing initiatives through levels of cohesion—the more people, the better. Even when maintaining a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose, he explains, “the pen has been mightier than the sword, which led me to continue my service through the Army Reserve.” 

Now working as a Zone Lead at SOLV, Michael found that the skills obtained during his time in the military conveniently correlates with his current position. He thanks his mentors—both in the military and SOLV—for the constant support and opportunities he continues to earn. 

Kaleb Peterson, Solar Technician - O&M Services

After spending nine years in the Army as an Electrical Engineer, Kaleb continues to prioritize safety and accountability. As one of SOLV’s Solar Technicians, he emphasizes that having strong principles kept him level-headed through current projects and during his time of service. From his perspective, “Most civilians believe that people from my branch aren’t level-headed, but that’s not the case. We just put a great amount of effort in the position we choose to be in.” Kaleb sees integrity as essential to providing quality service within both fields, a recognition that has eased his transition into civilian life. 

The former Engineer is not the only veteran in his family—his parents have also served in the field, making him a new addition to the group.