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What Veteran’s Day Means to Deidre Andrus

Deidre Andrus
  • Donovan Gomez
Deidre Andrus, Customer Service Bureau Director, Business Services

For Deidre Andrus, Veteran’s Day is a time to reflect on and honor those who have fought to protect our country. As a retired U.S. Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with over 23 years of service, Veteran’s Day is quite special for her.

“I am a proud American who understands the sacrifice and commitment it takes to be in the military.  I am truly proud to be among those who have served our country,” Andrus said. 

Andrus joined the Army Reserve during her freshman year of college and simultaneously enrolled in the University’s Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. “I spent my freshman summer at Army Basic Training in South Carolina and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant at the end of my Junior year of college,” Andrus explained.

Andrus spent twelve years on active duty and the balance of her time in the Army Reserve. Her military career was distinguished by serving in an active war theatre during Operation Desert Storm in Kuwait and preparing National Guard units for deployment to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. She also served honorably in Recruiting, Operations, Project Management, and Instructor positions while in the U.S. Army. 

Deidre Andrus, Customer Service Bureau Director, Business Services  

Andrus has used her experience in the U.S. Army to guide her in her role as Customer Service Bureau Director at the SFPUC. She explains that she has developed most of her leadership and organizational skills while serving as an Army officer. “The military does an excellent job at training leaders. I often make decisions based on lessons learned from my experience leading organizations, working as a staff officer and instructor, and mentoring soldiers and subordinate leaders,” Andrus said.

My emphasis on training also stems from my time in the Army. It has served me well and I believe the organizations that I have served after my military career has benefited from my experience.”  

When asked a final thought on the significance of Veteran’s Day in America, Andrus had one message to all who have served. “I am thankful to all who served and am grateful for a country that takes a day to honor them.”    

The SFPUC thanks Deidre Andrus and all veterans within the agency for their service!