Brian Hucik is the ideal candidate for Veteran of the Year due to his lifelong commitment to transforming the veteran transition experience from a bureaucratic hurdle into a pathway for excellence. His work bridges the gap between those who served and the institutions—both corporate and academic—that benefit from their leadership. Professional Leadership & Impact As a Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Brian works on the front lines, providing intensive case management to veterans facing significant barriers to employment. Before this, he served as the National Program Director for Military Friendly®, where he revolutionized how organizations are held accountable for veteran outcomes. His leadership influenced the benchmarks for thousands of institutions, ensuring that "veteran-friendly" became a standard of measurable success rather than just a slogan. Recognition & Advocacy Brian is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in veteran advocacy. Highlights of his contributions include: Military Friendly® Advisory Council: Serving as a key voice in developing the survey instruments used to evaluate Fortune 500 companies and Tier-1 universities. Keynote & Presenter: He has personally recognized institutions like Quinnipiac University (awarding them the #1 Military Friendly® School status), using his platform to challenge educators to better support student veterans. Strategic Consultant: His insights have helped veteran-owned businesses and nonprofits scale their impact through data-driven recruitment strategies. Community Commitment Brian's involvement with Hire Heroes USA and various veteran service organizations underscores his dedication to the "Vetrepreneurial" spirit. He volunteers his time to mentor transitioning service members, ensuring they have the tools to navigate the civilian workforce. His career is defined by a singular mission: ensuring every veteran is positioned for long-term economic and personal stability. Brian Hucik embodies the selflessness and strategic vision that the Veteran of the Year award seeks to honor.
My grandfather, Clarence Kenneth Echard, served as a code breaker in the U.S. Army during World War II. His service, character, and dedication to our nation inspired me to enlist in the Army in 1993. Over the next 25 years, I had the privilege of serving alongside some of the finest Soldiers in the world, including tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. When I entered Army Recruiting Command in 2006, I recognized the opportunity to influence the next generation, just as my grandfather had influenced me. Helping young men and women discover their potential and serve something greater than themselves became one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. Today, that mission continues. As a Career Mentor with Hire Heroes USA and a Veteran Talent Advisor with PSEG, I remain committed to helping veterans navigate their next chapter, empowering them to achieve success long after their military service ends.
Brian Hucik is a strategic Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, U.S. Army Veteran, and retired First Sergeant with over 15 years of experience driving full-cycle recruitment across the defense, tech, and nuclear sectors. A Subject Matter Expert in technical recruiting for AI/ML, cyber, and engineering, he has successfully led high-performing hiring initiatives for industry giants including Google, Meta, and PSEG Nuclear. Throughout his distinguished career, Brian has aligned talent frameworks with core business objectives.
His key accomplishments include reducing veteran job acquisition times by 50%, boosting national veteran benchmarking program participation by 26%, and leading the Army’s Recruiting and Retention College to its highest-ever accreditation rating as Chief Senior Instructor.
Brian holds a B.S. in Business Management and leverages deep data-driven market insights to bridge elite talent pipelines with cutting-edge organizations.
