Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota was recognized on Friday for its employment and community outreach efforts directed at veterans.
 
The State of Minnesota Yellow Ribbon Action Plan Review Board, run by the Minnesota Department of Military Affairs, designated the Eagan-based health insurance company as a “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company.”
 
To earn the designation, companies must build relationships with local military leaders, identify veterans within the company and commit to hiring and retaining soldiers that have returned. BCBS set up a steering committee within its Veterans’ Employee Resource Group—comprised of company leaders and former military members—that builds support systems around veterans and their families.
 
“Blue Cross earned its recognition as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company through unified and sustainable strategies that include recruiting, hiring, training and development of veterans, military-connected employee support and by connecting to military efforts within the community,” Annette Kuyper, director of military outreach at the Department of Military Affairs, said in a statement.
 
TCB hosts an annual Vets Forum that examines issues surrounding corporate culture and employment of veterans. Our November 2015 issue detailed how companies are finally developing strategies to connect with post-9/11 vets.