This is the latest in our series on U.S. military veterans who’ve found new opportunities for career growth in the linen, uniform and facility services industry.

Here, we offer a Q&A with Steve Tinker, senior vice president of research & development & marketing for Gurtler Industries Inc., South Holland, IL.

Q. Can you tell us a little about your military background?

In late 1967, I had to interrupt my college education to earn some money to pay for additional school costs. But Uncle Sam had different thoughts, so I was drafted into the service in the U.S. Army in ...