AUSTIN, Texas -

It wasn’t just about the debut of a new facility for Insurance Auto Auctions.

They gathered to celebrate the grand opening of IAA’s new Austin, Texas branch, but also in solidarity with — and support of — the nation’s military.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Austin auction on Tuesday —  or, Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance, as Sept. 11 is now known in memory of those who died in the terrorist attacks on the U.S. 11 years ago — IAA  president and chief financial officer John Kett signed a Statement of Support with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

IAA’s alliance with ESGR — which is a Department of Defense agency designed to help veterans find employment after leaving the military — will include all 50 states.

On the morning of the event, Auto Remarketing caught up with Kett by phone to learn more about the alliance and IAA’s new auction.

“We’re becoming engaged with them to try and hire veterans through their organization,” Kett said, later adding that IAA has already posted a few jobs.

“We’ve got 160 locations across North America, so we’re pretty much everywhere that there’s a car,” he noted. “We anticipate this being a great program for both groups. We do have many veterans that work for us today; (but now) we’re really getting serious about it and getting more organized about it.”

When asked what it means for IAA as an organization to be able to support the military in this way, Kett said: “We just think it’s the right thing to do, No. 1. (It’s) a little bit of patriotism, but they’re the people who have protected and served us, so  it’s fair that as a national organization we give back and find ways to assist them.”

In a statement released after the event, Jerry Icenhower — chairman of the Texas ESGR Committee — was quoted as saying: “This is the right thing to do, and it is the right time to do it.  Today, supportive employers like Insurance Auto Auctions are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units.”

Regarding Statement of Support criteria, Icenhower noted: “Insurance Auto Auctions managers will now stand proudly with their Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation.”

In the same statement, Kett commented: “We are pleased to be a part of this national alliance where military service can translate into employment opportunities at our 148 U.S. branch locations. We are proud to provide employment opportunities to those who serve and appreciate their commitment to our country. On behalf of the more than 1,800 IAA team members in the US, we honor and recognize service men and women on this historic Patriot Day.”

More on Austin Auction

Sharing more details on the new location, IAA has developed 37 acres, but there is “room for growth” to expand the facility, Kett told Auto Remarketing. Sales will be held on Tuesday’s morning at 9.

The auction is housed at 2191 State Hwy 21 in Dale, Texas.

“This has been a long time coming,” Kett said. “We’re excited to open a state-of-the-art facility here in Austin. It’s kind of a culmination of our practices from around the country; taking the best ideas from other facilities that we opened or looked at. We’re really proud of the facility we have.”