Delaware Businesses Honored for Supporting Military and Veteran Talent

The Joint Military Affairs Committee (JMAC) of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and New Castle County Chamber of Commerce named Orth Financial Group and Bloom Energy as the 2023 recipients of the Delaware Warrior Friendly Business Award. This honor recognizes businesses’ efforts to support service members, veterans, and their family members through workplace initiatives.

Orth Financial Group (Under 50 Employees):

Orth Financial Group is a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise

Financial Services, LLC, based in Wilmington. The company not only hires military members, but they also provide services to clients who served in the military and in government roles.

Orth Financial prides itself on offering a paid leave policy specifically for employees who are members of the military that helps them complete their ongoing military obligations. In addition, financial advisors at Orth Financial Group work closely with clients to understand the unique complexities and opportunities that accompany benefits programs for service members and government employees.

“The men and women of the armed forces make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and we all owe them our thanks and gratitude. We feel fortunate to be in a position to offer resources to our military employees and clients of our firm that help them maximize the value they receive from their service and related benefits,” said Kimberlee Orth, CEO of Orth Financial Group and a Certified Financial Planner®. “Today’s military and government employee benefits programs can be incredibly complex. We view our role helping vets and their families understand these programs as the right thing to do, given all they have done on our behalf.”

Bloom Energy (Over 50 Employees):

Bloom Energy is a leading Delaware green energy technology company. As of 2023, 6% of Bloom Energy’s US workforce are veterans, and the company is incorporating additional strategies in fulfillment of their pledge to increase this count. Moreover, the company is committed to training their workforce, offering their employees the opportunity to participate in job-specific skills training.

In the community, Bloom Energy raised awareness and funds by hosting the inaugural Stars and Strides Delaware Charitable 5K Race in November 2022. Proceeds from the race directly supported the Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans and the Delaware National Guard Youth Foundation.

“At Bloom, we are especially inspired by the legacy of the late General Colin Powell—our former chief mission and values officer and Vietnam War veteran— whose memory continues to empower us to act with compassion, courage and strength, and whose time served protecting our country inspires us all to be better people,” says KR Sridhar, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Bloom Energy. “Bloom appreciates the recognition and honor of being named a Warrior Friendly Business. But even more, Bloom appreciates our veterans who are true models of what it means to put everything on the line to protect and serve those we hold close. We thank the men and women of the Delaware National Guard for fight ing for our freedoms, for protecting our families, and for keeping Delaware and this nation safe.”

The honorees were recognized at the JMAC’s State of the Guard Address on Friday, February 24, which includes the annual State of the Guard briefing to the community on current missions, operations, and people of the Delaware National Guard.