I had the opportunity to interview Christopher Brown, who is one of six finalists for The Cannata Report’s Outstanding Veteran Award. Brown and the other nominees will be present at our 40th Anniversary Awards & Charities Gala in November. Here’s what Mike Lepper, CEO of Impact Networking, has to say about Chris:
“With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Christopher has redefined what it means to deliver exceptional service in our industry. His attention to detail and genuine care for both our clients and employees ensure that every ticket is executed flawlessly. Chris goes beyond to support his colleagues and create a positive work environment, making a lasting impact on our company. It is with great admiration that we nominate Christopher S. Brown for the industry’s Outstanding Veteran Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions and dedication!”
FC: Chris, in which of our military branches did you volunteer, and how long did you serve? What was your motivation for joining the military?
CB: I served and retired from the Navy after 20 years. I decided to join the Navy at the age of 19. I happened to be working at the local pharmacy and had ambitions to be a pharmacist. I had a friend who had joined the Navy straight out of high school who talked me into speaking with the local recruiter where I was told the Navy could make my pharmacist dreams come true. With a sense of adventure, I enlisted. It was not long before I discovered that some vital details had been left out about that career path. Still, that decision marked the beginning of a lifelong journey filled with growth, continuous learning, and a sense of purpose.
FC: What responsibilities did your Military Occupational Specialty entail?
CB: As a Hospital Corpsman (Medic) I was responsible for the maintenance of medical records, drawing blood, suturing, conducting physical exams, dispensing medications, and training non-medical personnel in Combat Casualty Care. I was also trained as an optician five years into my career in the art of fabricating eyeglasses. My last position was the command’s Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor, preventing and addressing alcohol and drug misuse among personnel.
FC: What did you like doing best, and what were you not so happy to do, if anything?
CB: I do enjoy helping others, and I have plenty of opportunities to do that with patients and with shipmates. I also got the opportunity to see many parts of the world and got paid for it at the same time. My least favorite evolution was filling sandbags in Kuwait in temperatures greater than 110 degrees.
FC: What were the most important things you learned in the military, and are any of them useful in your employment today?
CB: Attention to detail. It sounds so mundane, but it’s what I believe to be the foundation for any endeavor. If you do not have all the details, ask for clarification. This will avoid confusion and having to redo things multiple times which then leads to customer frustration.
Medic Brown during his USN service.
FC: How difficult was it to find employment upon separation, and how did you discover the copier/IT industry as an employer?
CB: I was fortunate to find employment through my social networking. After getting a degree in Management of Information Systems, I had a classmate who happened to know that Impact Networking was hiring IT professionals. Due to my lack of IT experience, I was lucky enough to start out as a remote print service engineer and have, over the last five years, made it to the service-desk supervisor position.
FC: We understand that making the transition to civilian employment has become exceedingly difficult. What advice would you give to a fellow military veteran leaving the service today?
CB: You must “throw your hat in the ring.” Opportunities rarely fall in your lap. Take advantage of the Transition Assistance Programs offered through the military prior to being discharged because once you move away from your last duty station that aid will be much harder to obtain.
FC: Did you serve during any armed conflict and for how long a period?
CB: I served from 1991 to 2011, which encompassed:
- Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm)
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation Deliberate Force, IFOR, SFOR)
- Operation Enduring Freedom, the U.S.-led military operation initiated in response to the September 11th, 2001, attacks, primarily focusing on Afghanistan.
- Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
FC: It is interesting to me, as a veteran who served in the Marine Corps Infantry, that the veterans we interview today all seem to have specialties that relate to IT, working with electronics of one form or another. Are we failing to realize that the veterans who are trained to do physical fighting, artillery, armor, even engineers are the ones that are having the most tough time in finding a job. Does that make sense to you?
CB: I think a lot has to do with where you are going when you leave the service. I went to Chicago instead of going home to North Carolina. There are more businesses open to hiring veterans in a city such as Chicago as opposed to where I was from. I was getting out after 20 years, and I believe that makes a difference. Impact Networking was the first company I approached that had a veteran-first attitude, and I did not see that anywhere else. When you come from a more rural area, there is a difference. An example is that we do not have a VA facility nearby or local. It would take me at least two hours from my home to reach it.
FC: Anything you might want to add to your thoughts about veterans?
CB: To potential employers, you got a person who has been subjected to real-world experiences that build character. In addition, he or she has learned to be responsible with great attention to detail. In other words, a stand-up person. There are also some of us who have served for 20 or more years like me. We have seen the world, and I would not change that for anything.
FC: Have you had any experience with the VA? We are getting mixed reviews and were wondering what your experience was.
CB: I am in Chicago and the VA Hospital here must be better than the one situated in a rural area. They also probably can do more. I have gone into ER and feel like I am getting excellent support and no complaints. I think if you look at the paperwork, you get the feeling it is a bit of a bureaucracy. In some cases, veterans use the VA for filling out disability – compensation. I imagine it is no different for a civilian applying for similar treatment experience for the same paperwork exercise.
Read Frank Cannata’s “Veterans Way” tribute from July 4th 2025.
