Supporting those who support our troops.
This Military Spouse Appreciation Day, learn more about Kelley Kurtzman, SVP of Consumer Field Sales, and more military spouses at Verizon.
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As a Top 10 Military Friendly Company and Top 10 Military Spouse Employer, we’re committed to supporting veterans, military service members, and their families. This Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we’re highlighting Kelley Kurtzman, SVP of Consumer Field Sales, and more military spouses across Verizon as they share their stories.
An enduring V Team career journey.
In her three decades at Verizon, Kelley Kurtzman has worn many hats. She started her V Team journey with US West, one of Verizon’s legacy companies, as a Retail Sales Representative and made her way into different roles across the business throughout the years. Her early success prepared her for leadership roles in Verizon Wireless, including the first female President of the Pacific Northwest Region, a role that she held for 10 years.
Kelley didn’t stop there. She crossed over to our Wireline business serving as Vice President - Global Technical Support and Vice President - Consumer Sales & Service Centers. In these roles, she supported Fios and led a national sales and service team for six years. Kelley’s roots in wireless brought her back to that side of Verizon in her current role as SVP of Consumer Field Sales, shaping the future of where we’re going with 5G home internet.
But the one role she holds near and dear to her heart is that of a military spouse.
A military spouse with strong military values.
As she was progressing through her career journey, Kelley married her husband, Jeff, a veteran of the US Marine Corps, and they had two sons. While he was in the military before they met, Kelley says the values and lessons he learned in his years of service live on in their household today.
Whether it’s getting a promotion, making a sports team, or getting straight A’s, Kelley says that military values are reflected in everything her husband and children do each day. These values include discipline, dedication, giving back, and serving others.
“People who were in the military have sacrificed so much and they’re willing to serve others,” Kelley said. “I think we’ve all instilled that in our family in everything we do and it's given us all that drive to do more.”
Finding support in the V Team.
Kelley knows the challenges that military spouses and families may face. But, she’s proud to work for a company that supports the military community.
The employee assistance program (EAP), which is part of Verizon’s benefits, has especially helped her. Through the EAP, she was able to speak with someone when she most needed it. For Kelley, this was when she wanted guidance on how to be a good support system for her husband, as the wife of a Marine Corps veteran.
“They’re such a great resource. You can just call and say, ‘Here’s my situation, I need some insight,’ and there won’t be any stigma around it. These are experts who can give you help and who understand your situation,” she said. “Veterans go through so much, and all of these things are part of the person you married — it made them who they are. So having EAP to help me understand how I can be a good support system to my husband was great.”
Supporting military spouses across Verizon.
Meet a few more military spouses on the V Team and check out their stories below.
Tia Lugo, Senior Analyst- Account Services, Verizon Business Group
“I have been a military spouse for a little over 10 years and have been with Verizon for five years. Being a military spouse is challenging but also rewarding. The challenge is being far away from my husband but the best thing about it is that it brings us closer together.
With Verizon, I feel well taken care of in every single aspect from having the support I need every day, to having mentors who help me focus on my goals and provide guidance on how to reach them. The best part about Verizon is that the company not only supports me as an employee but also my husband as a service member.”
To close, Kelley shares an inspiring message to military spouses everywhere:
“Stay encouraged, stay positive, and just be super proud of your spouse for serving and being willing to make those sacrifices. I think about why we’re free, and it’s all because of those who have served in the military.” - Kelley Kurtzman, SVP- Consumer Field Sales
