Caitlin Thompson’s story is one of service, strength, and the search for something lasting. As a military child, moving from place to place was a given. That pattern continued into adulthood, first through her time as a Field Artillery Officer in the U.S. Army and then across divisions and states in her first years at Lewis. But now, as a Fleet Coordinator in the Carolinas, Caitlin has found something she hadn’t had before—roots. Para leer este artículo en español, haga clic aquí.
Caitlin Thompson: Serving Country and Communities with the U.S. Army and Lewis
Caitlin along with members of the Lewis Fleet team
Being employee-owned, Lewis truly recognizes that our people are the foundation of the company.
“I felt a call to service,” Caitlin says of her decision to join the military. With encouragement from her father, a 25-year Army veteran, Caitlin took the officer route through ROTC at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs. She joined the Army in 2016, just as combat arms roles were newly opening to women. That led to a dynamic career including time at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, where she was stationed with her father.
Caitlin later was a member of the command team in the Soldier Recovery Unit at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, working with soldiers facing illness and injury—many during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a more specialized job,” she says, “but being able to support soldiers who gave everything, that was one of my favorite roles.”
When her time in uniform ended, she wanted to keep that sense of purpose. The Alliance Careers program, which recruits Junior Military Officers as they transition to private sector careers, helped connect her with Lewis, where she saw familiar values: structure, community, and respect for the people doing the work. “Being employee-owned, Lewis truly recognizes that our people are the foundation of the company. That stood out to me.”
Caitlin began with Lewis in New York in the Safety Department, then moved to Florida under fellow veteran Rich Evans, before eventually choosing North Carolina as her home. “It was the first time I got to decide where I wanted to live,” she says.
At Lewis, she found something that mirrored the camaraderie she loved in the Army: a network of veterans, supportive leadership, and a culture of empowerment. “I never feel alone here,” she says. “From day one, I’ve had mentors like Rich, Brandon Ratcliff, Erik Sorensen, and Mark Giannetto backing me up.”
That teamwork comes into sharp focus during storm response, where the Lewis Fleet team plays a vital, behind-the-scenes role. “During Hurricane Helene, we had crews coming in from all over. They didn’t know the area, and they needed support. Fleet stepped in—whether it was equipment swaps, repairs, or just helping them figure out where to go. It felt like battlefield coordination in a way. Everyone moving together toward the same goal.”
Today, Caitlin stays connected to the field, talking directly with groundworkers, listening to concerns, and advocating for solutions. “That’s one of the best parts of Fleet. We’re mobile, we communicate, and we can really be that voice multiplier for the front lines.” Caitlin also values the opportunity for growth and input she’s experienced at Lewis. “From day one, my ideas have been welcomed. Leaders like Erik Sorensen and Mark Giannetto have encouraged me to build new processes and help the team evolve,” she says. She appreciates that the company’s structure allows for both mentorship and advancement—something she knows isn’t a given everywhere. “Being part of an ESOP means you’re truly invested, and the company invests back in you. You’re not just here to do a job, you’re part of shaping where we’re going.”
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