Emory Veterans Employee Network
What is the Emory Veterans Employee Network?
The Emory Veterans Employee Network (EVEN) is an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that promotes a sense of belonging by Emory University faculty and staff Veterans through organization and support of veterans related events and programming.
Learn about upcoming events
EVEN hosts events that foster connections through social gatherings and community outreach initiatives throughout the year.
View EVEN photos
What are EVEN's mission and values?
Mission
The mission of the Emory Veterans Employee Network (EVEN) is to promote a sense of belonging by Emory veterans through organization, recognition, networking, and resources.
Values
The values of EVEN are to continue our service as veteran citizens who think beyond themselves to further Emory’s mission to create, preserve, teach, and apply knowledge in the service of humanity.
Meet the EVEN co-chairs
Andrew West, Executive Center Administrator, Georgia Clinical and Translation Science Alliance
Andrew West graduated from Emory University in 1993 with a History major and English minor. After graduation, he began working full-time for Wesley Woods, the geriatric and chronic care wing of Emory Healthcare. During his time with Wesley Woods, Andrew obtained an MBA and MHA from Georgia State University. He then left Wesley Woods to work as a consultant for BDO Seidman, LLP. After two years of consulting, he returned to Emory University to manage finances and research administration for the Department of Pathology. In March 2008, West assumed the Center Administrator, Sr. role of the Georgia CTSA and is currently the Executive Center Administrator. Concurrent with his civilian employment, West served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 2000 to 2020 reaching the rank of First Sergeant.
Rey Valdez, Assistant Director, Parking Projects & Maintenance
Ray manages projects and maintenance of all of Emory’s parking decks, surface lots and bus stops. He oversees capital improvement projects and supports most events on campus where crowd and traffic control are needed. Commencement is their annual capstone event, and bringing EV charging to the masses has been one of Rey’s pet projects.
Rey earned an ROTC reserve commission from New Mexico Military Institute, and joined the Florida Army National Guard while he completed his bachelor’s degree from U of Central Florida. Rey then moved to active duty, graduated from the US Army Airborne School and served in Heidelberg, Germany, the then home of the US Army Europe Headquarters. After being promoted to captain, Rey transferred to Fort Stewart, GA where he was able to serve the most decorated infantry division in the army, the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. He separated from the service when he decided to marry and start a family in 1996.
Learn about EVEN’s goals
- Increase members from 75 to 150 by the end of FY2024.
- Newsletter published twice each fiscal year.
- Increase partnerships and visibility with outside community partners for reach in surrounding communities.
Explore Emory resources
The Emory Veterans Association’s mission is to promote, inform, and support Emory’s military-connected student community while they’re enrolled and after they’ve completed their studies by serving as the lead campus advocacy and community engagement group.
The Emory Alumni Veterans Network is an online network that builds esprit de corps and fosters personal and professional development among Emory Alumni Veterans by connecting veterans to each other, the Emory Community, and the larger community within which Emory Veterans continue to serve. The Emory Alumni Association aims to serve those who have served.
Veterans Support Programs at Emory
Emory offers a number of support programs for Veterans.
Contact EVEN
If you're interested in getting involved with EVEN, fill out our form.
If you have questions, email even@emory.edu.