A Salute to Our Veterans: Meet Nichole King, Change Manager, Global Organizational Effectiveness, and Renee Murphy, Vendor Managed Inventory Planner I – Demand

Nichole King

Nichole King grew up as an Army brat with a long family history of service. When it came time for her to decide her path, the choice to her was clear – she wanted to honor her family’s legacy and serve her country.

“The military was always my life. When my older brother joined the Air Force, I was inspired by a mix of pride and family rivalry, thinking I could do better.”

She was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation, she was commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Army.

Nichole served for six years and spent time at Ft. Hood (now Ft. Cavazos) in Texas and Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.

“Being in the military taught me how to lead and collaborate with a diverse group of people. I also gained a deep appreciation for teamwork and the power of recognition – both of which foster resilience and perseverance, especially when facing challenges or setbacks.

Nichole was serving on September 11, and immediately understood the gravity of the situation “It was a pivotal moment in my career. My husband, who was also an officer, deployed less than 30 days after the attacks. It was a time of so much uncertainty – you just didn’t know what was going to happen next.”

The military legacy lives on in her family. Nichole has a son following in her footsteps and studying at West Point. She has another son who is at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

“My advice to young people thinking about joining the military is to make the choice for yourself. Less than 1% of Americans choose to go into the service, so it’s a unique and important commitment. Consider why you feel called to serve. It’s a decision you will be proud of, and one that will shape your character, skills, and future in profound ways.”

Nichole is also member of McCormick’s U.S. Veterans Employee Ambassador Group (EAG), where she advocates for hiring more veterans. As part of the EAG, she has served for on the U.S. Veteran’s Leadership Team for four years as the Membership Engagement Liaison.

“Veterans bring exceptional adaptability, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to success. While their resumes may not always match the job description exactly, their unique experiences make them invaluable assets, bringing diverse perspectives and a proven ability to deliver results under pressure. Hiring a veteran can be a transformative addition to any team.”

Renee Murphy

Renee Murphy can pivot at a moment’s notice, ready to jump in immediately to handle any new challenge or assignment that comes her way.

Being so prepared for change comes from spending 22 years in Maryland’s Air National Guard, where she had to be ready to leave her civilian life instantly when duty called. 
Unlike active-duty military, which operates under the federal government, the National Guard is controlled by individual states. Guardsmen typically have civilian jobs but are activated to respond when needed, such as when a governor declares a state of emergency for things like natural disasters.

“Serving in the National Guard meant that I always had one foot in the civilian world and one in the military.” said Murphy. “We are trained to always be at a state of readiness. You react and go when and where the mission requires.”

“I remember when the September 11 attacks happened, my commander called me in and told me to get my people ready, because we had to set up and run a 24-hour dining facility for our pilots. There was no precedent, nobody to ask what to do. I just had to drop everything and do it. We train to be ready for the unexpected.”

Murphy grew up in a military family. She followed her father’s footsteps, who served over 25 years in the Air National Guard after being in the Army. “Enlisting was a family thing, but also a way for me to serve my country.”

After seven years as an enlisted Guardsman, she received her commission and became an officer, fulfilling a dream she had since childhood.

While she has been out of the service for several years, she carries the military training to her job. She is also an active member of McCormick’s U.S. Veterans Employee Ambassador Group, which advocates for hiring more veterans. “Veterans are strong, disciplined, structured, and often natural born leaders. They are hard-working and loyal and make great employees.”

 “The military isn’t for everyone, but the patriotism and pride I’ve seen in young airmen who choose to serve gives me chills. I’m proud of my time in the service.”

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