This Veterans Day, we honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces and offer our sincere gratitude for the ways in which veterans and their families have given to our country. This occasion gives us the opportunity to recognize the significant contributions of the veterans who are now working here at Daikin Applied Americas. We sat down with three military veterans to hear about the experiences and impact they’ve had from their time in uniform to their time at Daikin.

Eddie Dybevik

Eddie Dybevik, now a Punch/Shear Operator for Applied Air Handlers at Daikin Applied Faribault, served in the Marine Corps from 1990-1994 immediately after he graduated high school. Reflecting on his decision to enlist, he said the choice was obvious to him. Many generations of his family members had served before him, teaching him the great value of “making America better and safer.” Eddie’s four years in the Marines taught him the foundations of being responsible, hardworking, and attentive to everything you do. He credited the Marine Corps for giving him the outlook that has been so instrumental to his career success. As a team lead at Daikin, Eddie has brought valuable skills and experience to our company for 21 years. He teaches others to “belong to something bigger than yourself, be held accountable, work hard, be safe, always train well, and be prepared before you start a task.” Eddie is a priceless asset to Daikin Applied – he embodies what it means to lead by example, showing respect to others and acting as a team player.

Araya Goings

When Araya Goings, Daikin’s Environmental, Health, and Safety Coordinator, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force seven years ago, she had no idea where her career path would lead. As a recent high school graduate, she joined hoping to narrow down her interests before pursuing higher education. It wasn’t long before Araya found her passion as the Occupational Safety Technician at Beale Air Force Base in California. In reflecting on her transition to civilian life, Araya pointed to Daikin as a key reason for her career success. “Daikin willingly took a chance on me by hiring me for a safety internship and allowing me to pursue my passion” she explained. “The transition from military to civilian is definitely the hardest part, so the work experience and benefits that Daikin gives me help a ton with the adjustment.” As a veteran, Araya brings unique skills and perspective from her time in the Air Force that are extremely valuable to her job now. She is proactive, self-motivated, disciplined, loyal, and adaptable. We are thankful for Araya and the expertise she brings to Daikin!

Chris Massey

Chris Massey, now a Corporate Recruiter at Daikin Applied Americas, served in the United States Army Reserve for eight years. While his values felt strong before he was deployed, he shared that the Army helped accentuate what is truly important in life. “The military taught me to appreciate life itself, to look at the big picture,” Chris shared. “I care about what’s important in life and don’t let other things get me riled up too often. It’s important to make the most of life. We work to live, not the other way around.” As a Human Resources expert, it seems fitting that Chris spoke of an “appreciation for the human connection and relationships formed. The human connection has always been there and always will be.” He inspires those around him with a refreshing perspective on the worth of individuals. We’re grateful for the way Chris exemplifies Daikin’s values by believing in the unlimited potential of people.

These veterans, and hundreds of others, have served us above and beyond the call of duty by also providing unique skills and perspective to our workplace. They continually offer their personal experiences, knowledge, and viewpoints to help create better outcomes every day. Thank you, again, for your service to our country. We hope you feel honored today and always.