Service, Strength, and Purpose: The Veterans Behind HQE Systems

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A Legacy of Service and Purpose

At HQE Systems, service is more than history. It is identity. As a disabled veteran owned company that is 65 percent veteran staffed, our foundation is built on duty, honor, and the unwavering commitment to protect others. The same values that guided us in uniform now drive our innovation and purpose. Every system we design and every mission we take on carries that same spirit of service. For the veterans of HQE Systems, the mission never ended. It simply evolved.

From the Frontlines to the Command Center

At HQE Systems, many of our team members know what it means to operate under pressure. Before joining us, they served in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. The military taught them to adapt quickly, think clearly, and stay composed when every decision carried weight. Today, those same principles guide their work as they design and maintain life safety systems that protect communities across the nation.

Our veterans bring more than experience. They bring mission focus. Each project at HQE Systems is treated with the same precision and accountability that once defined their service in uniform. From developing alert networks to deploying field systems, they apply the same standards of reliability and readiness that were once required in combat and crisis. The stakes may be different, but the mission remains the same: protect lives and never fail the people who depend on you.

Qais Alkurdi, Marines
“In the Marines, adaptability was everything. Situations changed fast, and we had to be ready for anything. That skill translates perfectly to what I do now. Every day brings something new, and I approach it with the same determination I learned while serving.”

HQE Systems began as the vision of Mr. Qais Alkurdi, whose time in the Marines taught him that protecting lives is a duty that never ends. What started as a mission in uniform evolved into a lifelong commitment to saving lives through technology, innovation, and community safety.

Jamie Warner, Marines
“My time in the Marines showed me that leadership is not about titles, it is about responsibility. The uniform may change, but the duty to serve others never does. Every day I try to carry that same mindset into my work.”

Adaptability defines how HQE Systems operates. Just as Marines adapt in the field, our teams adapt to evolving technology, shifting emergency needs, and new challenges faced by communities nationwide.

The Strength of Teamwork and Trust

Teamwork is the heartbeat of HQE Systems. The same trust that veterans once relied on in the field now drives the company’s culture and success. Every project, installation, and system depends on collaboration, clear communication, and shared accountability. For the veterans who make up most of HQE Systems’ workforce, teamwork is not a corporate slogan. It is a way of life.

Nick Ellis, Marines
“I will always be grateful for what the Marines taught me. Leadership, resilience, and integrity are lessons that stay with you forever. Now I use those same values to lead teams and develop systems that make a difference in people’s lives.”

Nick’s reflection captures what leadership looks like at HQE Systems. It is not about hierarchy or titles but about responsibility. Our veterans lead through action, setting the standard for reliability and respect across every department.

Marcus Bernard, Air Force
“My Air Force experience taught me that excellence starts with accountability. Every small action mattered because lives depended on it. I carry that with me every day, focusing on quality and precision in everything I do.”

Marcus’s perspective mirrors how HQE Systems approaches every detail. Quality and accountability are not afterthoughts. They are built into every step of the process.

Frank Plasencia, Navy
“Serving in the Navy changed the way I see the world. It taught me calm under pressure and the value of teamwork. Those lessons are part of who I am, and they guide me in every project I take on to make sure others stay safe.”

From land to sea to the skies, our veterans carry those lessons forward. At HQE Systems, their trust in one another builds solutions that communities can depend on when it matters most.

Continuing the Mission at Home

For many veterans, leaving the military can feel like leaving behind a part of their identity. The structure, the camaraderie, and the shared sense of purpose are hard to replace. At HQE Systems, that mission never truly ends. Our veterans find a renewed sense of purpose in serving their communities through innovation, reliability, and the pursuit of safety for all.

Desiree Carr, Army
“My time in the Army showed me how strong people can be when they stand together. Service was more than a job, it was a calling. That same spirit drives me today as I work to protect and empower communities across the country.”

Desiree’s words reflect the deep connection between military service and community protection. Through her leadership and example, she continues the Army’s tradition of service and unity.

Rogan Nichols, Marines
“When I became a Marine, I learned the importance of structure and purpose. The Corps gave me a foundation that shaped every decision I have made since. Today I build on that same discipline through my work, protecting people and communities when they need it most.”

Rogan’s story is shared by many at HQE Systems. The discipline he learned in the Marine Corps carries through every installation, inspection, and design review. In the field, the smallest details can determine whether a message reaches someone in time. Our veterans understand that precision saves lives, and they approach every task with that responsibility in mind.

Fernando Abundis, Navy
“The Navy taught me how vital communication is to survival. When you are out at sea, a single message can make the difference between danger and safety. Now I work to make sure entire communities get the messages they need when every second counts.”

For veterans like Fern, communication is more than a system. It is a lifeline. At HQE Systems, that understanding continues to shape how we protect and connect communities across the nation.

Values That Define HQE Systems

Every company has a mission statement, but at HQE Systems, the mission lives in the people. The veterans who make up much of our workforce bring with them the same values that guided them in uniform: integrity, honor, accountability, and service before self. These principles shape every part of what we do, from the first system design to the final installation.

At HQE Systems, integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching. Accountability means standing behind every product, every decision, and every result. Excellence means ensuring that what we build not only works but lasts. These values are not slogans. They are habits developed through years of training, responsibility, and service to others.

Sal ContrerasVega, Marines
“Being a Marine shaped my entire outlook on life. It taught me commitment, responsibility, and the value of preparation. I bring that same mindset into my civilian career where the mission is still about service, protection, and doing the job right every time.”

Sal’s approach captures the culture at HQE Systems. Preparation and reliability are not optional; they are the foundation of success. Every veteran who joins our team carries that same sense of purpose, knowing that our systems and services protect real people in real emergencies.

These values do not only influence how we build technology; they also define how we build relationships with customers, partners, and communities. We measure success not just in performance but in trust earned. For HQE Systems, every project is more than work. It is a commitment to serve, protect, and stand ready for the people who count on us most.

Leadership Through Experience

Leadership at HQE Systems does not come from titles or ranks. It comes from experience, trust, and a shared sense of mission. Many of the company’s leaders are veterans who have carried their military lessons into civilian life. They understand that leadership is not about giving orders. It is about setting an example, supporting your team, and making sure everyone succeeds together.

In every branch of the military, leadership is earned through action and consistency. The same is true at HQE Systems. Our leaders are the first to arrive and the last to leave. They know what it means to take responsibility for others and to stand behind the mission no matter the circumstances. That dedication has shaped a company culture built on trust and mutual respect.

Rodney Rayle, Navy
“When I look back on my years in the Navy, I remember the long days, the friendships, and the sense of purpose that came with every mission. You learn to trust people with your life and to never take that trust lightly. That same sense of responsibility drives me today as I work to protect and support the communities we serve. I will always have a sense of commitment and dedication to the military and our service members.”

Rodney’s reflection speaks to the heart of HQE Systems’ leadership philosophy. True leadership means service. It means guiding others with humility and strength while never forgetting the people who depend on you. The same loyalty that kept service members united in uniform now keeps HQE Systems’ teams working together toward one goal: protecting lives through innovation, reliability, and trust.

Service Beyond the Uniform

For the veterans at HQE Systems, service did not end when their military careers concluded. It simply changed form. The mission now is to serve communities, protect lives, and support the people who depend on reliable communication in moments of crisis. The work is no longer carried out on battlefields or in the open sea. It is carried out through technology that saves lives and systems that stand strong when everything else fails.

Being a disabled veteran owned and veteran staffed company means more than a statistic. It represents a living commitment to serve. Many of our veterans use their roles at HQE Systems to mentor other service members transitioning to civilian life. They share their experiences, help others rediscover their purpose, and continue the cycle of support that the military instilled in them.

Every project that HQE Systems undertakes is grounded in a sense of duty to the community. Whether it is installing public safety alert systems, improving response coordination, or developing innovative technologies, the goal is always the same: to protect. The same teamwork that once moved missions forward in uniform now powers solutions that safeguard neighborhoods, schools, and cities.

Service is the constant thread that connects HQE Systems’ past, present, and future. Veterans who once worked to defend the nation now work to strengthen it from within. Their dedication ensures that the systems they build are dependable, resilient, and ready when needed most.

Through every innovation, HQE Systems honors the spirit of those who have served. The company’s mission is an extension of their oath—to protect, to serve, and to stand ready for those who cannot afford failure.

A Legacy That Lives On

The story of HQE Systems is one of service that never stopped. What began as a shared bond between veterans has grown into a company united by purpose and driven by innovation. Each system designed, each alert sent, and each community protected reflects the same dedication that once defined their service in uniform.

As a disabled veteran owned and veteran staffed organization, HQE Systems stands as a living example of how military values can transform the world beyond the armed forces. The discipline, courage, and commitment learned in service now power technology that saves lives. Our veterans continue to serve their country in a new way, protecting communities through the tools they build and the systems they maintain.

The mission has evolved, but the heart behind it remains the same. At HQE Systems, the call to serve still guides every decision, every project, and every innovation. The sense of duty that once defended the nation now protects it from within, through communication, preparedness, and resilience.

To every veteran who has served and continues to serve through their work at HQE Systems, we say thank you. Your strength, leadership, and sacrifice define who we are. At HQE Systems, our mission has never changed. We serve to protect. We innovate to save. And we stand ready, always.