In this episode of Veterans CONNECTED, host Eric Bevevino sits down with Army veteran and West Point graduate Bill Leahy to discuss his transition from military service to manufacturing leadership and the founding of Unturning Steel, a nonprofit helping veterans and military spouses build careers in maintenance and reliability.
Bill also shares why community, certainty, and purpose are so important during that transition, and how programs like DoD SkillBridge help bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers. You can learn more about Unturning Steel here.
We hope you enjoy the episode!
MORE ABOUT BILL…
William “Bill” Leahy is the innovative Founder and Executive Director of Unturning Steel INC, a nonprofit organization operating nationally. He established the organization following the tragic suicide of his brother, MAJ. Sean P. Leahy, USMC, during his transition from military service. The mission of Unturning Steel INC is to help transitioning service members find community, certainty, and purpose while securing fulfilling careers with employers nationwide.
A NCAA Division I Hockey player and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Bill served as an Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army before embarking on a successful journey in manufacturing, reliability, operational excellence, and entrepreneurship.
While pursuing his MBA at UNC-Chapel Hill, he established his first venture, Renaissance Reliability LLC, a consultancy dedicated to educating manufacturing leaders and enhancing operational performance, reliability, and maintenance at facilities across the country. After four years of successful expansion, Bill decided to sell Renaissance Reliability and fully commit to Unturning Steel.
Unturning Steel partners with manufacturers, educational institutions, industry associations, and the Department of War SkillBridge program to recruit, train, certify, and place veterans in rewarding careers. This initiative also aims to tackle the growing skilled workforce shortage in America’s manufacturing sector and ultimately combat the pressing issue of veteran suicide. In 2023, Bill received the “Cultural Innovation Award” from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s Reliability & Maintainability Center.
In addition to Unturning Steel, Bill volunteers his time as an assistant coach for the United States Coast Guard Academy Hockey Team, serves on several veteran committees, and is a Member of the Marine Corps Legion. He spends his free time with his family enjoying the mountains, coast, and recreational opportunities of New England, skiing, spearfishing, and golfing.
