Michael Phaneuf: 21-Year Guard Veteran at TrueNorth Steel · Fargo INC!
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Michael Phaneuf: 21 Years of Service, From Gunner to Site Operations Manager
The Army National Guard veteran worked his way from welder to site operations manager at TrueNorth Steel, leaning on what he learned from the best leaders he served under.
In shortArmy National Guard veteran Michael Phaneuf served 21 years, deployed to Afghanistan, Kosovo, and twice to the National Capital Region, then leveraged military leadership skills to rise from welder to site operations manager at TrueNorth Steel.
3 things to know
1Phaneuf started as a gunner on the Avenger air defense system and retired as a platoon sergeant after 21 years in the Army National Guard.
2Over 15 years in the civilian workforce, he progressed from welder to welding lead to shop supervisor to site operations manager at TrueNorth Steel.
3He used the GI Bill to attend welding school and now serves on the board of TrueNorth Steel's Veterans' Employee Resource Group.
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Branch served: Army National Guard, 21 years of service
Michael Phaneuf started as a gunner on the Avenger air defense system and retired as a platoon sergeant. Along the way, he deployed to Afghanistan and Kosovo and twice to the National Capital Region. At home, he went from welding school to site operations manager at TrueNorth Steel. We asked him how those two careers have shaped each other.
What was your role in the military, and where were you stationed or deployed?
I worked in short-range air defense on the Avenger weapon system. I started as a gunner and retired as a platoon sergeant. I was stationed in Grand Forks, Fargo, and Bismarck. I deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 with the 1-188th ADA SECFOR where we worked with the Afghan Border Patrol and Army. I deployed in 2009 to Kosovo on KFOR 12 with C 231 MEB, and I deployed twice to the national capital region to provide air defense in our nation’s capital.
What originally inspired you to join the military?
I always enjoyed working on a team towards a common goal. I viewed the military as an opportunity to do that while serving my nation.
What is one experience from your military service that had a lasting impact on who you are today?
My first deployment to Afghanistan. I had the privilege of serving with many outstanding leaders who showed me what is required to get the most out of a team. I learned countless lessons on leadership by watching how they handled themselves while working through extremely difficult tasks and situations. That stuck with me and has molded me into the leader that I am today.
Michael Phaneuf during his National Guard service. Photo provided by Michael Phaneuf.
How did you transition from military service into your current career?
When I returned from Afghanistan, I went to welding school and joined the workforce. I liked working in the trades because it had a similar feeling to the military in the way that everyone needs to be working towards the same outcome to be successful. Over the last 15 years, I leveraged my leadership skills I learned from the military to work my way up from a welder to a welding lead, to shop supervisor, and now site operations manager. I love that I get to combine my knowledge of steel fabrication with my leadership abilities on a daily basis.
Which skills or habits from the military have been most valuable in your professional life?
My resilience and leadership skills have been the most valuable skills I took from the Army. I am able to see a way to get to a positive outcome no matter the challenge, and I use the leadership skills I learned while serving to get everyone aligned so we can accomplish what is needed to get there.
How has your military background influenced the way you approach leadership, teamwork, decision-making, or problem-solving?
Working with so many different personality types in the Army helped me identify how to best work with people from all walks of life. I know that in order to get people working together, there needs to be a strong sense of pride in the team, and I work hard to foster that mindset in the shop.
When it comes to decision-making and problem-solving, another thing I learned from working in the Army is to take a more collaborative approach and get as many experts involved so that I can make well-informed decisions. In the end, the decision is mine to make, and I own the outcome, but it is better to have as much information as possible before making the call.
What has been one of the biggest challenges in your career, and how did your military experience help you work through it?
One of the biggest challenges is the ever-changing landscape of structural steel fabrication. Some jobs may have material procurement challenges, some may have delays in drawings, and others might see accelerated delivery requests. The Army gave me a solid base in how to deal with stressful and fluid situations. I always try to stay a step ahead and have contingency plans so that changes do not derail our mission.
What professional accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud that I made it to the position I am currently in. When I started out welding, I did not envision myself being here, but I had a drive to achieve more. I have always put my best foot forward at work and soaked up all the knowledge I could along the way. I am extremely grateful that TrueNorth Steel saw my potential and gave me the opportunities to show what I can do in leadership roles.
Is there a particular moment when you realized your military experience gave you a different perspective or advantage in the workplace?
Whenever things get very stressful, I often see that it really gets to some people and affects their performance. Having the perspective that I have from making it through many extremely challenging situations in Afghanistan makes it easier for me to step back and look at the situation in a calm and focused way. This allows me to make clear-headed decisions to get through difficult challenges.
Michael and his platoon at the National Training Center. Photo provided by Michael Phaneuf.
What do you wish employers, colleagues, or community members better understood about veterans in the workforce?
Every veteran has different experiences, but they all have something they can bring to the table. Most veterans excel when they feel like they are part of a team working towards a common goal.
Do you currently support veterans, active-duty service members, military families, or veteran-focused organizations? If so, how?
I do. I am on the board for our Veterans’ Employee Resource Group. We are a fairly new group at TrueNorth Steel, and we are working through what we can provide for our veteran employees. I look forward to really getting it running and supporting our veterans in any way that we can.
Are there programs, mentors, organizations, or resources that helped you during your transition into civilian employment or business ownership?
I utilized the GI Bill to attend welding school.
What could local businesses do to better recruit, support, and retain veterans?
Get to know the veterans on your team. They all have something to bring to the table, but you need to get to know them for who they are to find out what they are capable of. A lot of veterans will stay in the background and never show their true potential until they are given a challenge or opportunity.
What advice would you give to veterans who are considering entrepreneurship or beginning a new civilian career?
Lean into what you learned from your best leaders. Find a career that fits your goals and dive in headfirst. Learn everything you can and use those leadership skills to improve the team around you. Remember that you can make it through any challenge with the right mindset.
What does being a veteran mean to you today?
Being a veteran means that I was willing to sign my life away to have the opportunity to serve our great nation. What that gave me was a lifetime’s worth of experiences that have helped develop me into the person I am today.
Michael Phaneuf
Is there anything else about your service, career, business, or community involvement that you would like readers to know?
TrueNorth Steel has given me countless opportunities to put what I have learned through my military service into action in my civilian career. I am thankful to be a part of an organization that provides opportunities like this to our veteran employees.
Editor of Fargo INC! — covering the founders, companies, and ideas shaping business in Fargo-Moorhead. Eleven years in, still no opinions, no politics, all business.
