Veterans Day 2024: City Employees Share Lasting Lessons from Military Service

The City of Virginia Beach proudly employs more than 800 veterans in its workforce. Each employee brings many diverse experiences and valuable professional skills from serving in the military. 

In honor of their service and in celebration of Veterans Day 2024, a few of these City veterans are sharing some lasting military lessons that continue to impact their work serving the community and their co-workers. 

Don Piron, Planning and Analysis Bureau Manager, Public Utilities

Don Piron served in the Army as a field artillery officer from 2002 to 2006, including two yearlong tours in Iraq. After leaving active duty, he served an additional seven years in the Army Reserves and began work in the private sector as an engineer.  

In 2012, Don joined the City as a project manager in the engineering division of Public Utilities. In his current role, he and his team are responsible for water and wastewater master planning, emergency preparedness and raw water resource management. The work, he says, is very rewarding. 

“Helping to provide a critical service that people and businesses rely on gives our work in Public Utilities a great sense of purpose,” he said. 

Don’s biggest takeaway from his years as an Army officer is leadership. “That experience definitely impacted my abilities as a supervisor, mentor and leader in my department,” he said. 

Michelle Jones, Office Supervisor, Parks & Recreation  

Michelle Jones served in the Army from 1997 to 2003 as a unit supply specialist. A highlight of her time in the military was mentoring the less experienced soldiers who joined her unit. 

After many years working as a supervisor in another city, Michelle came to the City of Virginia Beach in 2017 as an office supervisor in Parks & Recreation. Since then, she has worked at the Princess Anne, Kempsville and Great Neck recreation centers, training staff and interfacing with customers.  

“I love what I do. I enjoy talking to customers every day,” she said. 

A lasting lesson from Michelle’s time in the Army is that supervisors have a responsibility to teach others the right way to do things.  

“The job needs to get done, and it needs to get done right,” she said. “The goal is to make sure each person excels, so they can teach what they know when someone new joins the team.” 

Chance Bland, Plans Examiner, Planning  

 Following a tradition of military service in his family, Chance Bland served in the Army from 1984 to 1992. During this time, he served as a mechanic in a variety of units involving operations, supply and transportation. 

“I was never bored, because there was always something new going on,” he said. 

Chance came to the City in 2020 in the building maintenance division of the Public Works Department. He has since moved into a job in the Planning Department. In his current role, he examines plans for buildings and construction to make sure they are up to code.  

One lesson from Chance’s time in the Army that still has an impact is the ability to adapt and overcome. “No matter what you come up against, you need to adapt and find a way to fix or overcome the situation,” he said.  

Terrie Canape, Animal Control Supervisor, Police  

Terrie Canape served in the Navy from 1993 to 1997 as an electrician’s mate, where she traveled the globe while making repairs to electrical motors on ships and submarines.  
 
“I really liked the traveling and camaraderie in the military and meeting all kinds of people,” she said. 

After leaving the Navy and trying several new career paths, Terrie went to school to study criminal justice. In 2014, she joined the City’s animal control division of the Police Department as a supervisor. 

For Terrie, a lasting lesson from her time in the Navy is attention to detail. “Doing investigations and writing reports have those fine details to pay attention to,” she said. “I learned that in the military, and it has carried over into this job.” 

The job in animal control has been a great fit for her interests and skills. “I enjoy being out and about in the public,” she said. “I like working with people and helping the animals.” 

The City of Virginia Beach is grateful to all military veterans and active-duty service members for their service and sacrifice. For current career opportunities, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/Careers. Veterans seeking employment are invited to read these helpful tips for getting hired. Military members who are transitioning out of active duty are invited to learn more about our SkillBridge internships.