How two veterans found a new way to serve at Verizon
At a glance
From military service to disaster response
For many veterans, one of the greatest challenges of transitioning to civilian life is navigating the loss of identity. In the military, purpose is clear and the camaraderie built through shared adversity can be hard to find elsewhere.
But for Alex Brosky and Tetoya Gibson, the transition was an opportunity to build a new identity without losing their sense of mission. As Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Senior Managers, they now navigate the same high-stakes territory they once did in uniform.
Purpose through the storm
Alex Brosky’s path was set in motion in 1983. While he was in high school, the Beirut Barracks Bombing killed 241 U.S. service members. Feeling compelled to do more, he joined the Marine Corps in 1986, serving as a Military Policeman for eight years.
Following his service, Alex spent years building a successful career in real estate and tech before joining Verizon in 2019. Based in Nashville, he managed network real estate and regulatory requirements for 5G Ultra Wideband deployment. He also took advantage of Verizon’s education benefits to graduate in cap and gown alongside his son in 2020 with his master’s degree in organizational leadership.
While Alex was established in his career building out the network, a disaster in 2021 shifted his focus. That year, a massive tornado struck his neighborhood, killing 12 people and leveling the house next door. Though his own home and car were damaged, Alex survived. Driven by that experience and the desire to help others who had faced similar trauma, Alex pivoted in early 2022 to the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response team.
His transition to the team was put to the test when Hurricane Ian struck Florida in 2022. As local agencies and first responders conducted more than 2,000 rescues in the first 72 hours, Alex was on the ground ensuring the network they relied on stayed operational. He navigated the chaos by blending his deep technical knowledge of infrastructure with the operational discipline he brought from the Marines.
“I’ve stood in the wreckage of the battlefield and my own neighborhood, so I know the weight of waiting for help. I joined this team to ensure that when a first responder or a victim reaches for a lifeline, the connection is always there.”
The resilience of a second career
Like Alex, Tetoya Gibson’s path was driven by a desire to help others and tackle greater challenges. Over her 21-year career in the Air Force, her primary role involved loading missiles, bombs, and gun systems onto fighter jets. She was often one of few women in her field, at one point serving as the sole woman in a squadron of 251 people on her flightline.
Tetoya’s career is a testament to her resilience. She survived two strokes while balancing military life and motherhood, one after the birth of each of her children. Yet her focus remained outward.
While still on active duty, she used her vacation time to volunteer for the Red Cross in response to Hurricane Katrina. And just two days after retiring from the Air Force, she transitioned into a full-time role with the Red Cross in North Carolina. There, she supported military families through deployments and family emergencies, while managing the critical communications that connect service members and their families during times of crisis.
It was during a hurricane response in Florida that the sight of a Verizon Frontline vehicle on-scene suggested a new way to apply her skills. Tetoya joined Verizon in 2020 and now manages disaster logistics and strategic partnerships with public safety agencies. She also serves in a leadership role for VALOR, Verizon’s veteran employee resource group, helping create community for others transitioning from military service.
For Tetoya, this career was a deliberate second chapter where her background in emergency management and logistics could be put to great use. “In a million years, I never thought I would be blessed with the most amazing career—twice.”
Take the lead on your next chapter
Transitioning out of the military is often the first time a veteran is fully in the driver’s seat of their own career. Tetoya’s advice to those still in uniform is to take the lead on that next choice:
“Whatever you are thinking about doing, do it. Don’t settle. It won’t be easy, but you have worked long enough serving the country, so now you need to work to serve yourself. Follow your passion!”
Whether you are looking for a role that mirrors your military experience or ready to start something completely new, Verizon offers a wide range of opportunities for veterans and military spouses to build their next mission.