A Career in Going Green: Jade Claybrook

Jade Claybrook, Floor Manager – Operations
Go Green Warehouse

“It’s Not Just Black and White Here”

Jade Claybrook is a person who likes to try new things. Three years after high school, he wanted to serve his country, and joined the Army Military Police Corps. For four-and-a-half years, including one year in Iraq, he put up with work that was dirty, sloppy and at times uncomfortable (he slept in a tent with no sides through one winter). Despite these constant tests of his adaptability, Jade says he wouldn’t change his experience for the world. “It was worth it. I realized I could get through anything.”

Jade Claybrook

But being in the Army did more than give him a life experience. It affected his career perspective. With an original desire to become a police officer, he wanted to consider other options; and with six weeks left in the military, he started looking for a job. Like thousands of other veterans, he looked on Craigslist and Monster.com, and put his resume on job sites. He came across the position of warehouse driver for the Go Green Warehouse, and something struck a chord.

“It was the first organization that helps veterans, “green”, and families. I was pretty blown away,” he says. He had two other job offers, but took this opening because, “This was the only one where I could have a job, be able to provide for my family, and help other veterans do the same. That’s really cool.” At 25 years old, Jade and his wife are raising two children – with a third on the way.

Jade says the concept of “green” is new to him. He never thought much about environmental sustainability before, but now it’s important to him. “Watching some documentaries about landfills was eye opening. Everything from little plastic bottles to the huge junk that big box stores just throw away, it makes me concerned.”

Personal experience leaving a war zone in a third-world country and coming back home to cleanliness and abundance also contributed to Jade’s new outlook. “Here at the grocery store there’s a big aisle with so many choices of just cereals. It makes me think it’s not necessary. Over in Iraq, you’re fighting for bare essentials. Here, I have all the rolls of TP I need. It’s been a real culture shock.”

Because the Go Green Warehouse sells new and used home improvement materials at deep discounts – while giving employment to veterans and keeping usable items out of the landfill – Jade feels he is giving back.

Beyond the environmental and social benefits of working at Veterans Green Jobs, Jade saw opportunities for “upward mobility” when he accepted the job. And he was right. Just a few short months after Jade spent his days driving the warehouse truck to pick up donated products from all around metro Denver, he was promoted to floor manager of operations. “It’s not just black-and-white here. We’re not limited.

I tell my family and friends about this one. I’m pretty proud to be part of it.”