Kevin Schmiegel
Strategic Advisor, Veteran Employment & Partnerships
Kevin Schmiegel is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ZeroMils -- a service-disabled veteran-owned business that builds, connects, and integrates relationships across multiple stakeholder groups to create Military Thriving cultures, communities, and a movement -- one that changes the broken Veteran narrative and highlights the positive outcomes of service.
ZeroMils differentiates and elevates brands, cultures, and communities— taking them from ordinary or "Military Friendly" to extraordinary – Military Thriving. By creating environments that empower military talent, entrepreneurs, and leaders to thrive in the workplace and in society, ZeroMils partners gain a strategic advantage, achieve growth, and make a greater impact.
A retired Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, Schmiegel worked at the highest levels of the Department of Defense, deploying to more than 50 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
At the end of his 20 year military career, Colonel Schmiegel served as the Aide de Camp to the NATO and U.S. European Commander from 2003 to 2005, the Head of Enlisted Assignments at Headquarters Marine Corps from 2006 to 2007 where he spearheaded the assignment and retention of 172,000 Marines worldwide during a time of war; and as the military assistant to the Special Envoy for Middle East Regional Security working on the peace process between Israel and Palestine throughout 2008.
Upon retiring from the Marine Corps in 2009, Schmiegel pursued his life's work of strengthening communities and bridging the civilian-military divide. He first served as the Chief of Staff at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 2009 to 2011 and then founded Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) there, quickly growing HOH into the largest Veteran and Military Spouse employment nonprofit in the country.
As the CEO of two other national military and veteran nonprofits, Schmiegel gained a reputation for growth and development, and for creating change on the most pressing issues facing the military and veteran community at large. Over a decade, raising $100 million for these causes, Kevin and the teams he led have impacted more than 10 million Americans, in and out of uniform. He is a proud husband to Laura and a father of five.
A nationally recognized leader in veteran employment, military family support, and public-private partnerships. He brings deep experience building programs that connect transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses with meaningful career opportunities.
