Editor’s note: In March, the Walt Disney Company and President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger announced an important new initiative to recruit and hire military veterans across all segments of the company.
“Heroes Work Here. Employ excellence. Hire veterans” is Disney’s pledge to find career opportunities for 1,000 veterans over the next three years. The company has launched a national campaign to encourage all employers to hire veterans. Additionally, employees will be encouraged to serve veterans organizations through Disney’s VoluntEARS program.
This week, in honor of Memorial Day, Front Row will spotlight some of ESPN’s employees who are also veterans. Today’s profile is Rosetta Ellis.
Hometown: Rahway, N.J.
Current title: Associate Principal Counsel
Length of time at ESPN: February 2011
Favorite team(s): Mets, Giants, Knicks and Devils
Law School: University of Virginia
What branch of the military were you in and how long were you enlisted for?
I was in the Army for three years.
What was your title/rank and where were you stationed out of?
I was a Unit Supply Specialist and Unit Armorer. My Rank was Specialist E-4. I was stationed at Fort Jackson, S.C., Louisiana, Germany, and also in Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
What did you want to do after you served?
I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do. However, I knew that I wanted to take the skills that I acquired in the military and use them in civilian life.
Why did you choose to work for ESPN?
There are multiple reasons why I chose to work for ESPN, one of which is because I have always had an interest in working with a company in the sports industry and ESPN, of course, is the Worldwide Leader in Sports. I also thought that ESPN presented a unique professional opportunity given the breath of its business, which is immense and varied, coupled with its congenial work environment.
How do you feel your military background helps you now?
I think that the military taught and/or enhanced many skills that were transferable into civilian employment — including my current position at ESPN — such as time management, leadership, organizational skills and teamwork. With my job now, attention to detail is a key component and that, too, is a skill that I learned from the military. I am an employment lawyer here at ESPN, and I also have legal responsibility for the ESPY Awards and boxing.
