VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Vice President of Information Technology Steve Young was recently named an “Honorary Commander” by the 433rd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)-Lackland.
Young was one of 26 local business and civic leaders to be inducted into the Honorary Commanders Program in March of this year. The program was started in 2011 to cultivate relationships between key members of the San Antonio civilian community and the JBSA military community.
Honorary Commanders of the 433rd Airlift Wing, also known as the “Alamo Wing,” are paired with military commanders and senior leadership to learn about the activities of the wing and the Air Force Reserve, and its vital role in national defense. Honorary Commanders will meet periodically during their tenure for activities including tours, orientation, and other special on- and off-base events. Young was nominated for the program by VIA Recruitment and Outreach Administrator Sergio Gonzalez, an Honorary Commander alumnus.
“It is an extraordinary honor to be inducted into the Honorary Commanders Program at Lackland, and I have learned so much more about what the Air Force does and how they help our country,” Young said. “My fellow Honorary Commanders and I have seen the great value Reservists bring to our country, and we have an even greater respect for them in seeing what they do day-to-day.”
VIA is an active recruiter of military veterans and members of the reserve forces. Currently, 28 percent of VIA’s workforce are veterans or Reservists, and Young’s Information Technology Division is 31 percent veterans or Reservists. In addition, VIA supports the military community by offering discounted fares to active duty military who are in uniform or who present a VIA reduced fare ID.
