For Brandon Gifford, GM was always the mission. In Air Force boot camp, while others pinned up family photos, he kept a picture of the Renaissance Center as his target. From the Corvette C7 launch to serving in the Guard, he’s carried that focus into GM Customer Care and Aftersales.
Meet the one who aimed high, fought hard, and won his place at GM.
What’s your career journey, and how did your military service lead you to GM?
My path is unique because GM actually inspired me to join the military, not the other way around.
As a sophomore in high school, I knew I wanted to work for GM but didn’t have connections or resources. Joining the military became my way to prove my value and create a path toward that goal.
Then, when I was 19, I finally got my foot in the door at GM during my sophomore year of college.
How did that go?
I told the HR rep, “I don’t care if I’m the janitor. I just want to work at GM.”
To my surprise, she offered me an internship on the C7 Corvette launch team. I gladly accepted.
That experience showed me I wanted a career in marketing at GM, even though I started on the manufacturing and engineering side.
How did your internship shape your career path?
After working on the Corvette C7 launch, I came back to Michigan determined to land a marketing role at GM.
To gain a competitive edge, I joined the Michigan Air National Guard – not only to serve my country, but also to secure my dream of working at GM.
How did your time in the military shape your path to GM?
In boot camp, while others pinned up photos of family or loved ones, I kept a picture of the RenCen in my locker. That was my motivation – a daily reminder of what I was fighting for. I also became a Broadcast Journalist in the Air Force because it would support my career goals in marketing.
After two to three years in the Air Force, I finally earned my first GM offer as a district manager in Sales, Service and Marketing, all while still finishing college and serving on active duty. I stayed in the Guard for several more years, including a deployment to the UAE, before fully stepping into my GM career.
Brandon brings his dedication and leadership to another day at GM’s Tech Center in Warren, MI.
How did GM support you during your deployment?
GM continued to pay my salary during deployment, which meant I could focus on serving without worrying about my family or my future.
Why is GM so inspirational to you?
I’ve always had a passion for GM, especially Chevrolet. My first car, a ’72 Nova, says it all.
I’m also very passionate about the state of Michigan. GM has been a very proud supporter of the state of Michigan – for the economy, and for Michiganders as a large employer.
That’s also why I joined the Michigan Air National Guard: to serve and support the state I love.
How has your military background shaped the way you approach your work at GM?
The military trained me how to think methodically, work under pressure, and think on my feet. So working at GM – which is a very competitive company – didn’t feel that heavy.
That prepared me to have a successful career here. Especially now, since I’m in Customer Care and Aftersales (CCA). There's a lot of pressure in our division to perform.
What has been your proudest moment or achievement at GM so far?
I set my sights on a marketing role 15 years ago, and while my path wasn’t traditional, each role I took helped me build the foundation to get there. Playing the long game – and learning from great mentors along the way – made it possible.
Why marketing?
It’s the perfect mix of critical thinking and creativity. It fits who I am.
Brandon reflects on his time in the Air Force, proud of the lessons that continue to serve him at GM.
Any recent projects where you’ve been able to showcase this?
In CCA, we’re focused on making parts and service more appealing by turning complex challenges into clear, customer-focused stories.
Our summer service event – with competitions, specials, and promotions – has already boosted sales, which makes it a real win for GM, and for me.
How do you continue to serve in new ways through your role at GM?
It’s about innovating within a defined role, much like in the military. On the marketing team, I focus on finding new ways to create and measure value, and on clearly communicating the ROI of those efforts.
How has your military experience shaped your approach to marketing?
In the Air Force our motto was, “Aim high, fly, fight, win.”
I bring that same mindset to customer care and aftersales, always asking how we can aim higher. Because that’s how we win.
How did GM support you through your transition from military to civilian life?
My transition was a little different from most veterans I’ve coached. I actually onboarded with GM while still on active duty, so one of my first challenges was figuring out how to balance both.
With support from the Air Force, I was able to adjust my orders and step fully into GM. Later, when I deployed, GM went above and beyond to make sure I was supported.
Brandon lives out his lifelong dream of working at GM: the very inspiration that led him to military service years ago.
What was on your mind as you prepared for deployment, knowing you’d be away from GM for months?
For a Guardsman, it can be scary to leave for months and wonder if your job will still be there. But GM not only stuck with me, they paid my salary and found a role for me when I returned.
That level of commitment meant everything. Now I try to pay it forward by helping other Guardsmen and reservists navigate deployment with the same confidence and support I was given.
How is GM helping both veterans and U.S. manufacturing move forward?
The automotive industry is demanding and moves faster every day. It takes real agility. That’s why hiring veterans makes such a difference.
Can you share an example of how veterans’ skills have made an impact at GM?
I’ve worked with about 100 dealers across GM, and one stands out. The service manager was a young Air Force veteran, late 20s or early 30s, yet he ran one of the most effective service departments I’ve ever seen. He applied his military mindset to managing technicians and service consultants, leading with discipline, support, and a very mature leadership style.
If we had more of that type of leadership across the industry, I believe we’d be moving even faster.
What does serving beyond the uniform look like for you at GM?
For me, serving beyond the uniform means serving Michigan. GM has given me that opportunity, and it’s something I feel deeply passionate about. When I think about “my people”, I think about Michiganders: the factories, businesses, and jobs this state depends on.
By helping GM strengthen its bottom line, I know I’m supporting more jobs here at home, especially in areas like supply chain and CCA. As someone from Flint, I’ve seen firsthand how GM helped build this community, and I want to see that prosperity continue.
Yes, we’re a global company, but Michigan will always be close to my heart.
Brandon looks ahead towards his future at GM during his deployment to Southeast Asia in the U.S. Airforce in 2017.
What’s your favorite GM employee behavior?
Speak Fearlessly.
Boldness is what drives progress, and I’ve seen firsthand how speaking up can make a difference.
Just last month, I saved my department a significant amount of money simply by voicing an alternative solution. That kind of courage to speak out is what makes GM stronger.
My runner-up would be Move with Urgency, which aligns closely with my military background.
Any advice for fellow veterans considering working at GM?
My advice to veterans is simple: consider GM. It’s fast-paced, full of challenges, and uses every part of your skill set. Many veterans struggle with the slower pace of civilian life after active duty.
But here, there’s constant action, especially in CCA. I’d love to see more veterans step in, lace up their boots again, and keep owning the mission.
What does our Veterans ERG mean to you?
It feels like a home within a home. Not every company has a space like this – with events, community, and people who truly understand what it means to be a veteran. It’s a place where you can connect with others who understand because they come from similar backgrounds, and share similar experiences.
What makes GM a great place for veterans to build their next chapter?
It’s the action, the opportunity, and the innovation. Veterans can pick up their boots and keep running here – faster and farther. GM won’t slow you down. It pushes you forward.
Discover more about how GM helps the veteran community find new roads to success.
