Celebrating Our Veterans – One Story at a Time!

Corey | Senior Merchant

Meet Corey, a Senior Merchant at Harbor Freight who has been with the company for three years after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps as a Captain and Low Altitude Air Defense Officer. Corey began his Harbor Freight journey as an intern during graduate school, later joining full-time as a Merchant on the Generators & Plumbing team. He then moved to Automotive Jacks & Diagnostics and now leads the Automotive Winches & Off-Road team. His favorite part of working at Harbor Freight is the collaborative, mission-focused culture that stays true to its core values.

Corey credits his military experience with developing transferable skills such as effective communication, leadership, accountability, and deliberate planning—all essential in his current role. He believes Harbor Freight is a great place for veterans because of its dynamic environment that requires teamwork and strategic thinking.

Collaboration – We find solutions as a team and value different points of view.
“Collaboration resonates the most with me because every day we work alongside our cross-functional partners to make sound and timely decisions that have a direct impact on the larger organization. This is very similar to the collaborative nature that drives success in the military as well, both in garrison and on deployment.”

Cindi | Retail Senior Associate

Meet Cindi, a Retail Senior Sales Associate who joined Harbor Freight in May 2024 after serving eight years in the U.S. Army as a Captain and Chemical Officer. Her Harbor Freight journey began as a part-time Sales Associate, and through her dedication and leadership, she quickly advanced to a full-time Senior Sales Associate. Cindi brings a strong foundation of leadership, planning, and communication from her military service, which she applies daily in her role. Cindi believes Harbor Freight is a great place for veterans because of its clear expectations, well-defined job duties, and accessible policies—all of which create a structured and supportive work environment.

Excellence – We set the bar high, sweat the details and always bring our best.
“Our biggest goal is to provide great customer service. We want to make sure the inventory is stocked cleanly and neatly on the sales floor. We are always learning about our products to help our customers and continue to improve our processes to keep our store filled with happy customers.”

Zane | Senior Shift Planning Manager

Meet Zane, whose Harbor Freight journey began 10 years ago—growing from an Associate in Case Mod and Non-Con into his current role as Senior Shift Planning Manager. Before joining Harbor Freight, Zane served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Motor Transport Operator, achieving the rank of E5. While balancing his early career at Harbor Freight with his responsibilities as a reservist, Zane found unwavering support from his managers—an experience that solidified his commitment to the company and inspired him to grow his career after transitioning out of the military.

Zane brings with him a calm, analytical mindset and strong leadership skills developed during his military service. He believes in building cohesive teams by recognizing and uniting different personalities under a shared mission. For Zane, Harbor Freight is a great place for veterans because it values the skills they bring and provides opportunities for growth.

Doing the Right Thing – We treat everyone fairly, kindly, and with respect.
“When you think of doing the right thing, I think of the way I treat people. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and it’s one reason why I joined the military.”

Ashley | Store Manager

Meet Ashley, who found her calling at Harbor Freight after serving in the military as a Medical Supply Specialist in the U.S. Army. Her passion for tools and helping others made Harbor Freight a natural fit. Ashley began her journey in August 2018 as a Sales Supervisor during the setup of the Rolla, MO store. She quickly advanced to Sales Manager, and after a brief move out of state, she returned to Missouri and rejoined the team. In February 2024, Ashley was promoted to Store Manager, a role that reflects her dedication and leadership.

Ashley credits her military experience with giving her a strong foundation in inventory management, leadership, and planning—skills that have helped her thrive in retail. She believes Harbor Freight is a great place for veterans because of its structure, support, and commitment to growth. “Harbor Freight has given me stability, drive, and the opportunity to grow. I’ve felt every one of our Core Values here,” she shares. The value that resonates most with Ashley is Excellence, as she leads her team in delivering outstanding customer service, maintaining a clean and well-stocked store, and continuously learning to better serve the community.