[November 17, 2014]

First Data CEO Frank Bisignano Receives 3rd Annual U.S. Chamber's Hiring Our Heroes Award

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation announced that First Data Chairman and CEO, Frank Bisignano, was awarded the 3^rd annual Hiring Our Heroes Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment. This award recognizes the proven dedication of Bisignano and First Data in addressing the challenges faced by veterans and military spouses in their search for meaningful employment.

"Frank Bisignano has shown tremendous dedication to recruiting, retaining, and advancing talented veterans and military spouses across the company," Eric Eversole, executive director of Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "Beyond that, Frank's team at First Data has also demonstrated a willingness to work with others and proactively share best practices. The Hiring Our Heroes Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award recognizes Frank Bisignano for his past, present, and future efforts to serve those who have served."

As CEO of First Data, Bisignano established First Data Salutes, a program dedicated to making the company an employer of choice for veterans. This program has raised First Data's veteran and military spouse new hires from 2% to 10% this year. Before joining First Data, Frank Bisignano founded J.P. Morgan & Chase Co.'s military and veterans affairs program, to include the 100,000 Jobs Mission.

"I am honored to receive this award. Veterans and military spouses bring significant value to the workplace and I'm proud that First Data can support veterans as they transition back to civilian life," said Frank Bisignano.

A photo of Frank Bisignano receiving the award can be downloaded here.

Awards were presented in the following categories at the 4^th Annual Lee Anderson Hiring Our Heroes Awards Dinner:

Lee Anderson Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award-Capital One received this award for overall excellence in hiring and retaining veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. Other finalists were Hospital Corporation of America (HC), Ryder, and Union Pacific Railroad.

Steve Robinson Post-9/11 Veteran Employment Award-USAA received this award for effective and sustained efforts to enhance the ability of post-9/11 veterans and transitioning service members to find meaningful employment in the private sector. Other finalists were The Home Depot, Lockheed Martin (News - Alert), and Verizon Communications. This award is newly named after Steve Robinson, a 20-year Army Special Forces veteran and veterans' advocate who passed away unexpectedly in June 2014.

Don Weber Recovering Warrior and Military Caregiver Employment Award-Anthony Odierno, vice president of JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, received this award for demonstrated leadership in addressing the unique challenges and demands for wounded warriors, spouses, and caregivers in their search for meaningful employment. Other finalists were Deloitte (News - Alert), Southwest Airlines, and Volt Workforce Solutions.

Military Spouse Employment and Mentoring Award-Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. received this award for demonstrated hiring and support of military spouses in their search for meaningful employment in the private sector. Other finalists were the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and USAA.

Capital One (News - Alert) Award for Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment-FASTPORT received this award for demonstrated leadership by a small business or organization (less than 500 employees) in hiring veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses. Other finalists were Afterburner, Inc. and Lock-n-Load Java.

Colonel Michael Endres Leadership Award for Individual Excellence in Veteran Employment-Frank Bisignano, chairman and CEO of First Data Corporation, received this award for an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in employment opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and spouses. Other finalists were Derek Blake, vice president of Marketing and Military Programs at La Quinta Inns & Suites; Chris Phillips, military recruiter, PNC (News - Alert) Bank; and CSM(R) Robert Van Pelt, program coordinator of Family Programs for the New York National Guard.

The 22 finalists were chosen from a competitive field of nominees. The winners were selected by the Hiring Our Heroes Awards Committee. Judging was based on criteria such as innovative recruiting and retention strategies, military community engagement and leadership, as well as an ongoing commitment to hire veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses.

Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide initiative to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's vast network of state and local chambers and other strategic partners from the public, private, and non-profit sectors, the goal is to create a movement across America in hundreds of communities where veterans and military families return every day. To date, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted more than 800 hiring fairs in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, helping 25,000 veterans and military spouses find jobs.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

About First Data

First Data is a global technology leader in the financial services industry. With 24,000 employee-owners and operations in 35 countries, the company provides secure and innovative payment technology and services to more than six million merchants and financial institutions around the world, from small businesses to the world's largest corporations. Today, businesses in nearly 70 countries trust First Data to secure and process more than 2,000 financial transactions per second, totaling $1.8 trillion a year. First Data's unparalleled infrastructure and partnerships go "beyond the transaction" with next-generation point-of-sale technology fueled by powerful analytics to detect fraud, gain insights into consumer spending, and strengthen customer loyalty. All day, every day, First Data helps its clients thrive in the evolving world of commerce.

HiringOurHeroes.org @HiringOurHeroes FreeEnterprise.com

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