Hire Heroes USA, the preeminent nonprofit organization providing employment services to transitioning military members, veterans and military spouses across the United States and around the world, today announced that its founder, John Bardis, has been re-elected as Chairman of the organization's Board of Directors.

"John's unanimous re-election as Chairman by fellow board members is a testament to his leadership and commitment to our mission to empower veterans, transitioning military members and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce," said Hire Heroes USA CEO Christopher Plamp, a retired Air Force combat pilot. "His business acumen, stewardship, and passion for veterans will help to guide us as we grow to meet the needs of the thousands of men and women that seek our help each year."

Bardis served as the Chairman of the Hire Heroes USA Board for nearly a decade, but was required to step down from the board after accepting an appointment as the Assistant Secretary for Administration of Health and Human Services in 2017. He recently completed his government service and returned as a member of the board. Last week, he was unanimously re-elected by fellow board members as the Chairman of the Hire Heroes USA Board of Directors.

Now in its 11th year, Hire Heroes USA continues to evolve, growing its suite of services to include online workshops and training modules, job matching, virtual career fairs and an exclusive job board in addition to core services like resume, networking and interview assistance, as well as expert guidance on navigating federal employment opportunities. The veteran service organization expects to reach 30,000 lifetime hires by December 31.

Hire Heroes USA was founded after a chance encounter Bardis had in 2005, when he met a post-9/11 Army sergeant, who was a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The sergeant had been severely injured in a landmine explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan. He had undergone extensive physical therapy and multiple surgeries, including below-the-knee amputation. It was while sitting on that park bench that the veteran confided his genuine uncertainty about his future and his employability. That encounter and very personal conversation not only inspired Bardis to offer the sergeant a job on the spot, it eventually led to the creation of Hire Heroes USA.

Bardis has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry. In 1999, he founded MedAssets, serving 15 years as chairman, president and chief executive officer, and as chairman and CEO until his retirement in 2015. More recently, he served in Washington D.C. as the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.