StoriesHow PeopleFirst Leadership Powers Growth at Ascend
Ascend brings Alpine’s PeopleFirst leadership to life, showing how people-first private equity can drive growth while preserving integrity.
Apex Service Partners (Apex) is a leading national platform specializing in residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. In an industry facing persistent labor shortages, Apex views veteran hiring as both a workforce solution and a cultural strength. Apex recognizes the leadership, discipline, and technical aptitude that veterans bring to the skilled trades and has made veteran employment a meaningful component of its talent strategy.
This commitment is driven from the top. Brad Kelly, Regional President at Apex Service Partners and a six-year Army infantry veteran, has helped shape Apex’s veteran-focused talent strategy, and today over 50% of senior leaders across the organization are veterans. Leadership views veteran hiring as a “double bottom line mission set”—both a way to give back and a strategic advantage for the business.
Apex has built structured onboarding and development pathways to support veterans at every level. This includes apprenticeships, ride-alongs, technical training, middle management programs, and general manager-in-training tracks. The company also partners with organizations such as Skillbridge and Hiring Our Heroes to connect transitioning service members with career opportunities. These efforts have translated into strong advancement outcomes, with veterans progressing from technician roles into senior leadership positions across the organization. Other key initiatives include a partnership with 51 Vets, a veteran transition organization focused on job placement, education, and professional networking, as well as sponsorship of veteran-focused events such as the annual 51 Vets Gala. These efforts have helped strengthen Apex’s visibility and credibility within the veteran community.
In recognition of its ongoing commitment, Apex was named a Top Veteran Employer (2025) by U.S. Veterans Magazine. Through these efforts, Apex is not only addressing critical talent needs but also creating meaningful career pathways for veterans transitioning into skilled trades.
“It’s not just hiring veterans, it’s hiring veterans and then giving them a place, a mission, and appropriate training in an ecosystem for them to thrive.”
—Brad Kelly, President, Apex Service Partners
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