Honoring Service: CentralSquare’s Everyday Heroes

At CentralSquare, we believe the strength of every community begins with the people who serve it. On Veterans Day and every day, we celebrate not only the courage and commitment of those who have worn the uniform, but also the unique strengths and perspectives they bring to our team. Our employees with military experience embody our brand values to the utmost degree: answering the call, standing together, serving with purpose, and delivering the extraordinary. Today, we honor them by sharing perspectives from two of our many former military employees. 

Loren Hebert: Adaptability and Belonging

Loren Hebert’s journey of service began in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear engineering program in 1990. After rigorous training, Loren transitioned to military police, serving at Groton Submarine Base and later as part of the decommissioning crew for the USS America. Loren’s military career spanned over five years of active duty, followed by service in the Michigan Army National Guard. These experiences instilled in Loren a deep sense of adaptability and resilience. 

“The life you envision for yourself does not always unfold according to your careful plans and intentions, so you have to be adaptable,” Loren said. This lesson guided him through more than 25 years in public safety dispatch before joining CentralSquare in March 2021. Now a Site Reliability Engineer on the Managed Services team, Loren finds deep meaning in working for a company that values veterans.  

“I feel extremely fortunate to be part of a company that not only values veterans but people of all backgrounds,” he said. “The level of belonging that I have today here at CentralSquare is something that I’ve never had in my 30 plus years of professional service.” 

Michelle Roberts: Breaking Barriers and Making a Difference

Michelle Roberts is the third of four generations in her family to serve in the military, continuing a proud tradition of service. Her journey began as a Russian linguist in the U.S. Air Force in the 1980s, a time when women were forging new paths in military service.  

“The ratio of males to females was like 18 to 1,” Michelle said, “so there were not that many women in the military yet, and we were breaking barriers in all kinds of crazy ways.”  

After her start in linguistics, Michelle transitioned into flight management, where she became the NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) of flight management for the 495th Tactical Fighter Squadron, supporting missions of critical importance and leading teams through complex operations. Her accomplishments led to a nomination as one of the top 12 air personnel in the Air Force.  

The lessons she learned in the military – resilience, teamwork, and a commitment to service – continue to shape Michelle’s approach to work and life.  

“You have to fit into some place that’s bigger than yourself in order to really, really understand your place in the world,” she said.  

For Michelle, joining CentralSquare was a homecoming.  “I stepped in the building and thought, ‘Yep, I know I’m home,’” she said. She values the opportunity to make a real difference, echoing the sense of purpose she found in the military. 

Today, Michelle serves as Professional Services Consultant III and has been with CentralSquare for almost 16 years. Her story is a testament to the power of service, and the impact veterans have when their experience is embraced. 

United in Service: Supporting Veterans at CentralSquare

At CentralSquare, we are proud to be a place where resolve meets readiness, at the heart of safer, stronger communities. Veterans like Loren Hebert and Michelle Roberts exemplify our commitment to empowering everyday heroes. Their stories remind us that heroism is not just found on the front lines, but in the dedication, adaptability, and service they bring to our mission every day. 

CentralSquare’s United in Service employee resource group is dedicated to bringing traditions of service, sacrifice, training, and skill to CentralSquare through engaging current and past members of the armed forces, first responders, and allies. This community fosters connection, mentorship, and advocacy, ensuring that every member feels valued and empowered to thrive. We recognize that military experience is more than a line on a resume, it’s a foundation of leadership and adaptability that strengthens our company and the communities we serve. 

As we honor Veterans Day, we reaffirm our mission: to stand shoulder to shoulder with those who serve, to empower them with hero-grade technology, and to create a workplace where everyone, veterans included, feels at home.