'He Gave Me A Chance': Fairfield Business Brings Jobs To Veterans

FAIRFIELD, CT — Sean-Michael Green, a Marine Corps veteran who spent 12 years in the service, has opened a new business he hopes will not only help residents, but bring employment to other veterans and their families as well.

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling Fairfield is on the road to serve the community as the first franchise to open in Connecticut. With about 200 franchises total, the business model centers on hiring veterans and their families.

“My goal is to hire as many veterans and their family members as I can,” said Green, an entrepreneur who lives in Orange.

Green explained how his experience in the service, which included time abroad in Panama and active duty in the first Gulf War, helped teach him some key life skills he now brings to his work — in particular, the importance of collaborating with a team.

“It’s about keeping your team happy (and) learning how to inspire your team,” he said, noting that this philosophy is reflected within the business.

Fairfield native Brian Sargent, one of Green’s new operation managers, said Green went out of his way to help him with the job opportunity when he needed it, and how he’s now demonstrating those values.

“He’s great. He gave me a chance,” he said of Green, noting that respect, integrity and trust were the tenets of the team and the business itself, echoing those ideals of military service.

“I think what’s really interesting is the opportunities it gives to veterans,” said Tucker Johns, Green’s other operations manager.

He said the philosophy focuses on bringing respect and an excellent attitude into each job situation, to each client.

“It’s just going in with respect for their property, respect for the people,” he said.

Green said that their services, used by clients from Greenwich to New Haven, and sometimes even beyond, often include helping people solve problems.

If, for instance, a client needs a pool removed from the ground, or an old boiler taken out of their basement, Green's team will figure out how to make it happen.

They also take pride in striving to reuse or repurpose items. Anything they haul away from a client for disposal will, if possible, find a new home.

“Our goal is to keep as much out of landfills as possible,” Green said. “If we have something that is still usable, we want to get that in the hands of a veteran that needs it.”

Green said he was inspired to open the franchise by his brother, Jason, a 26-year veteran of the Marines, who began operating one in their native Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Now he’s excited about bringing an attitude of service to the Fairfield community and surrounding area.

“If we can’t do something, we’re going to give you answers,” he said, noting the business will help clients find the help they need.