Whether it’s through our national Veteran consulting program or our Military and Ally Community (MAC), supporting the men and women (and their families) who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is at our core. For Professional Recruiter Matthew Powell, that commitment recently took center stage when he received a surprising phone call in late Q1 2025. Robert Sempek, ESGR Virginia’s Military Outreach Director, had informed him that not only did one of Matthew’s consultants nominate him to the ESGR for his outstanding support, but that Matthew had also been awarded the ESGR’s Patriot Award!
Matthew was honored to receive this external validation of his support! He was even more astonished to discover that his longtime consultant, David Williams, had nominated him for the award. While this recognition came as a pleasant surprise for Matthew, it was no surprise to those who know him best. Friends and colleagues describe Matthew as a service-oriented individual who always goes above and beyond to help others, especially his consultants. We sat down with Matthew to gain more insight into his award-winning service, as well as uncover how Brooksource shows its support for those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
This award recognizes supervisors and bosses nominated by a Guardsman or Reservist employee for support provided directly to the nominator. Spouses of Service members are also eligible to nominate their supportive supervisor.
Q1 2025: Robert Sempek, ESGR Virginia’s Military Outreach Director, presents Matthew Powell with the Patriot Award for his support and dedication.
June 2025 marks Matthew Powell’s 4th year working for Brooksource. Throughout that time, he has risen through the ranks, becoming a professional recruiter, assisting 100+ candidates in finding new roles, and constantly advocating for the company’s workforce transformation program, Elevate. However, being a recruiter is something Matthew has always had in mind for his future career. While pursuing a degree in HR Management and working his first internship, Matthew quickly realized that recruiting was something that came naturally for him. “I’ve always been a people-person at my core, helping others really fills my cup, and recruiting gave me a way to pursue both those passions,” shared Matthew. This is why Matthew quickly accepted an offer to join Brooksource’s Charlotte office shortly after he graduated from Clemson University.
“Matthew (Powell) is amazing at what he does and provided tremendous support when I was working with him to help me get the position at (a Fortune 500 Commercial Bank)... He really went the extra mile by reviewing my application, setting clear expectations, and even giving me recommendations on how to improve! I would highly recommend Brooksource and Matthew to anyone looking for a position. They never leave you in the process alone and are with you every step of the way.” - Adnane Hedaja, Junior Full Stack Software Developer & Elevate Graduate
Although Matthew would eventually relocate to Brooksource’s Washington D.C. office, it was during his time in Charlotte that he first connected with David. At the time, David was serving as an IT Specialist for the Army National Guard and had just graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in cybersecurity. Meanwhile, Matthew was working with a Fortune 500 Utility client to help find entry-level cybersecurity talent when he discovered David’s resume. “What stuck out to me with David was his experience with the National Guard. These infrastructure roles take place in secure environments with strict guidelines and procedures, which is why candidates with military backgrounds seem to excel in them,” explained Matthew. After a few interviews and touchpoints, David was hired on as a Brooksource consultant.
“There's a decision-making matrix used around the military that says, 'think about the 15-6 backwards,' which really stresses working through the worst-case scenario when you're planning. Anytime I am given a project or need to add a member to my team, I'm mentally playing out each scenario to see all the possibilities and risks. As a project manager, that kind of skill is invaluable.” - Joshua N., US Army Veteran & Brooksource Project Manager
March 2025: Brooksource Consultant and Army Veteran, Joshua Newton, poses with his 2024 Consultant of the Year Award.
Now, it wouldn’t be outrageous to think that Matthew’s assistance in finding David a new civilian role in his field was the reason he was nominated for the Patriot Award. However, helping people, especially those with military backgrounds, find work is just a part of Brooksource’s services. Throughout his career, Matthew has helped 15+ Veterans make the transition into the civilian workforce, including Brooksource Washington D.C.’s 2024 Consultant of the Year, Joshua Newton.
Brooksource’s workforce transformation program, Elevate, is designed to upskill talent and build sustainable workforces of the future. More specifically, Project Patriot, Brooksource’s military advocacy program branching off from Elevate, directly supports infusing candidates with military experience into the civilian workforce. Yes, David was appreciative of the opportunity and would spend three years working as a Critical Infrastructure Compliance Analyst for Brooksource, while serving in the National Guard until his contract eventually ended in January 2025. But, balancing two roles is a difficult feat for anyone to do alone, and that’s where Matthew’s support made a real impact.
2023: Matthew poses with a new Elevate class, eager to learn new skills and get their start in the IT workforce.
Throughout his contract, David had to leave for monthly and yearly training with the National Guard. Despite these challenges, Matthew was adamant about accommodating David’s demanding schedule, communicating effectively with our client’s supervisor, and providing David with flexibility and understanding. In the fall of 2024, David was deployed to North Carolina for several months, providing Hurricane Helene recovery work with the National Guard. When he first got the call about this leave, Matthew thought it meant that David would be stepping away from his role with Brooksource. However, David was actually calling to see if there was any way he could continue working during his deployment. “That’s a lot on a person, and I have so much respect for David for being able to manage both roles. But (David) explained that his family depended on his full-time role, and he was willing to work remotely on a flexible schedule. It really speaks to the type of person that David is, that he was able to balance all that and still fulfill his obligations,” explained Matthew. Matthew then collaborated with our client and empowered David to continue working full-time while fulfilling his critical service duties. This level of support is the exact type of experience Brooksource strives to provide, especially through its Elevate and Project Patriot programs.
ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. Today, more than 4,500 volunteers serve on ESGR State Committees, maintaining employer support programs, providing informative briefings and mediation, and recognizing employers, like Brooksource and Matthew, who go above and beyond in supporting Guard and Reserve Service members.
Patriot Award
The First in ESGR’s series of employer awards.
Spouse Patriot Award
Like the Patriot Award but nominated by the spouse of a Reservist or Guardsman.
Seven Seals Award
The broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership.
Pro Patria Award
Presented annually by each ESGR State Committee to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in their state or territory.
Above & Beyond Award
Recognizes employers at the local level who have gone above and beyond the legal requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
Extraordinary Employer Support Award
Recognize sustained employer support (over 3 years) of National Guard and Reserve service.
Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award
The highest recognition given by the U.S. Government to employers for their support.
With many of these awards being progressive in nature, Matthew’s reception of the Patriot Award opens him and Brooksource up for future consideration. Before an employer is eligible for the Above and Beyond Award, it must have had at least one supervisor or other representative honored with a Patriot Award and signed a Statement of Support with ESGR.
“You have more skills than you think you have. All you need is an opportunity to showcase them. Everything that has caused Brooksource to trust me, believe in my leadership, and deliver results directly came from my 21.5 years in the military. And thanks to them, I'm excelling in the private sector!” - Joshua N., US Army Veteran & Brooksource Project Manager
Only time will tell if Matthew or Brooksource will be fortunate enough to be honored with these additional ESGR employer awards. Whether or not they receive the recognition for it, Matthew and Brooksource are dedicated to accommodating the needs of Active-Duty personnel and supporting Veterans with their transition into the civilian workforce. Those who know Matthew best insist his passion comes from helping others, not from receiving awards. When asked what final message he had for hiring managers or candidates with a military background, Matthew emphasized, “Military service provides a unique perspective and several transferable skills that are often overlooked in the interview process. People underestimate just how important these soft skills are. Whether you're contemplating applying for a role or evaluating a candidate, remember that these soft skills can profoundly benefit any organization.”
