Everett is very proud of the Guard and its focus on helping people. “We help with natural disasters, like hurricanes. The Guard is State affiliated, and populated by citizens, who are also doctors, postal workers, nurses, and others like that.”

Everett has worked for Empower AI since 2004, and she loves her work. “I enjoy my work, which is software development for the Air Reserve Order Writing System (AROWS) program,” she said. “We provide Project Management for the GOTS program, or Air National Guard (ANG) personnel at the ANG Readiness Center (ANGRC) as well as customer support for ANG personnel.”

She chuckles, adding, “One reason why I felt so comfortable as an Empower AI Employee embedded with the Military customer: the acronyms. Having served, you already know so many acronyms. Heck, you can speak full sentences with just acronyms and when I started at Empower AI, the people on my program were talking the insider lingo, but I knew the rank and could understand the jargon, and the acronyms, and the expectations of the military culture. It was such a great fit.”

She credits the military with teaching her many lessons that she continues to use at Empower AI. “The Army Guard taught me attention to detail,” she said. “That helps me in my job every day. And self-confidence, amazing self-confidence. One thing that many of us understand after our service is facing challenges and the attitude: I can handle it. I will be all right. One step at a time.”

She laughs and mentions raising her children: “I would not have guessed it, but it has helped me to discipline my children,” she said, laughing. “Drill sergeants are amazing to watch, they control 60 young adults, they teach them, they get them where they need to be. They have a really high success rate. I would reach back for those lessons, from the sergeant. How to keep everyone focused, and safe.”