When U.S. Veterans Magazine sat down with the leadership team of Learning Alliance, it was clear why the institution earned recognition as a Top Veteran School. Joining the conversation were Cesar Ruiz, President and Founder; Fred Arnold, Executive Director; Derrick Francis, Chief Operating Officer; and Ken Minter, Chief Revenue Officer. Each offered powerful insights into how Learning Alliance empowers veterans, helping them transition from military service to high-demand careers.
Mission Rooted in Service
For Cesar Ruiz, who founded Learning Alliance 22 years ago, the recognition validates a mission that has always been focused on workforce development. “It just means that we’re doing the right thing for the right people,” Ruiz said. “We ensure that veterans have the ability to transition into the middle class and become self-sustaining members of society.”
Ruiz credits the strength of his veteran-led leadership team—Arnold, Francis and Minter—for bringing their values, discipline and firsthand experience to the institution. Together, they’ve built a culture that reflects both military camaraderie and academic rigor.
Ecosystem for Success
Arnold, who joined the school as one of its first five employees in 2018, emphasized the importance of creating a veteran-centered ecosystem. Having experienced his own struggles transitioning out of the military, Arnold made it a personal mission to ensure students find real pathways into sustainable careers.
“Too many veterans go through programs that don’t lead anywhere,” Arnold explained. “We’ve seen students who were stuck in low-wage jobs after leaving the military. Here, we put them on a path to high-skill, high-wage jobs that change their lives.”
Telecom Fits Veterans
Francis, a veteran himself, underscored why telecommunications is such a natural career fit. “It’s methodical, team-oriented and no two days are the same,” he said. “Veterans thrive in this space because it mirrors the teamwork and mission focus they already know.”
Francis emphasized the industry’s limitless potential, noting that veterans can start as technicians and eventually rise to own telecom companies. For him, the reward lies in seeing fellow veterans transition into a career that’s both stable and full of growth opportunities.
Partnerships Open Doors
Learning Alliance’s impact extends beyond the classroom through strong partnerships with industry associations, including SETE, PCCA, APCA and the FBA. These collaborations ensure students earn credentials aligned with employer needs, resulting in exceptionally high placement rates. “We can’t do this without industry partners,” Ruiz said. “They help ensure our training matches what the field requires.”
Transforming Lives
For Minter, a British Royal Navy veteran, the success stories make the work personal. He shared the journey of Brooke Downs, an Army veteran who struggled after service before enrolling at Learning Alliance. Within months, Downs became a top performer in the telecom field and eventually returned to Learning Alliance as a training manager. “It’s like a Top Gun story,” Minter said proudly. “He came back as Maverick, and now he’s a core part of our company.”
Civilian Boot Camp
What sets Learning Alliance apart is its immersive, military-style training model. Veterans live in barracks, follow a rigorous schedule and engage in hands-on learning that mirrors the demands of real-world telecom work. Ruiz described it as a “boot camp for civilian careers,” one that equips veterans with both technical skills and the confidence to excel.
Shared Commitment
As the conversation closed, each leader left a message that underscored their collective mission. Ruiz spoke of future growth and expanding programs into renewable energy and other trades. Arnold reaffirmed their guiding principle: “We exchange ideas and shape futures.” Francis stressed the family-like commitment to students: “These aren’t just students—they’re my people, and I’ll take care of them.” And Minter summed it up with honesty and passion: “We genuinely want people to succeed. The only thing stopping them is knocking on the door.”
For veterans seeking not just an education but a true career pathway, Learning Alliance stands as a beacon. Their veteran-led leadership, strong partnerships and unwavering commitment to service make it clear why they are deserving of the title Top Veteran School.
Photos: COURTESY OF LEARNING ALLIANCE
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