Service and Sustainability Four Arkansas Brothers Transition From Military Service To Entrepreneurship t Three of the four Moll brothers served in the United States Marine Corps. Now they all continue to serve their country by employing fellow veterans and creating sustainable furniture. Jonathon Moll and his brothers bought the Arkansas-based company EcoVet. The company recycles old semi-trailers and partners with Arkansas sawmills to create custom furniture. About 70 percent of employees are veterans from various branches of the U.S. military. Prior to EcoVet, the company was called Sustainable Aerodynamics (SA) Concepts and it focused on recycling the aluminum from decommissioned semi-trailers. While SA Concepts focused on recycling, the core value of the company was to employ veterans. The company transitioned once more into EcoArk and is now known as EcoVet. Moll said that when he originally came to EcoVet for an interview, he was unsure of what the job would entail, but the general atmosphere of the company helped change his mind and made him excited to be a part of the veteran-owned and -operated company. “I have always loved the story and the idea behind it, and I like being around the other veterans. It is easy to go away, but it is hard to come back from the military,” said Moll. Mike Hagwood began serving as the CEO of EcoVet in 2014, but now serves as director of sales since the Moll brothers serve as CEOs. Hagwood said the mission of the company is dear to his heart, and he believes that EcoVet is serving the country in ways that most can only imagine. “I never served in the military, but my dad did, my wife’s dad did and just about all of my uncles did. My wife and I both lost family in wars,” said Hagwood. “This has kind of been my way of giving back a little bit. It’s good to be around these guys, I really enjoy the relationships I have with them. I feel like they are very loyal, and they work very hard toward a common goal we have of building this business.” Matthew Davis, a Navy veteran, has been working at EcoVet for six years as a painter and finisher in the shop. Today, every product goes through his hands before it is sent out the doors. “These guys know where you’re coming from. It helps to know what each other is going through. Some guys are going through PTSD … some might have family problems,” said Davis. “But there is always someone here that knows what it’s like to be where you are. It helps to keep us stable and focused. It is good to know there is somebody to ask if you need help with a problem.” Moll said the company has completed him, in a sense. “The culture of EcoVet and the rapport I have with the company and vice versa and the other veterans and employees here is fulfilling. It’s not just me going and punching a clock in a factory. I get a sense of ownership and a sense of fulfillment from being a part of something like this opposed to just having a job,” said Moll. “I love coming to work every day.” There are a few primary materials that EcoVet uses, including all salvageable parts from semi-trailers as well as some locally sourced ARKANSAS GROWN 51
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