North Charlotte Today

Veterans Day serves as a moment to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This year, the City of Charlotte highlights some of its employees who are veterans, including Tijuana Fox.

Tijuana Fox is a Motor Pool Coordinator in Fleet Management for the City of Charlotte. She joined the Air Force in September 1993, serving for 21 years with a focus on HVAC and refrigeration. Her journey into the military was inspired by her desire to attend college and travel. Initially considering the Army, she opted for the Air Force after her brother joined that branch.

Fox's career in HVAC began as an assignment to fill a quota, which she discovered four years into her service. Despite being the only female in her shop alongside her brother, she embraced getting "hands dirty" due to her upbringing with five brothers. Her family continued their military tradition, with two more brothers joining after her.

Reflecting on her military career, Fox said: "When it comes to the military, mentally you know when it’s time for you to say it was fun while it lasted." After changes in mission and personnel reduction prompted decisions about retraining or promotion opportunities, she chose retirement shy of 22 years.

Her transition to public service began at Urban Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant as an office assistant in March 2000. She later worked at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools before returning to work at the airport's ground transportation department from 2011 until 2015. Since 2016, she has been part of Fleet Management.

Fox values long-term career stability and discipline learned from military training: "The training that you receive in the military... teaches you different things... Being diverse." She hopes to reach a thirty-year mark in her civilian career.

Expressing pride in her Air Force service, Fox remarked: "The Air Force… We are like the cream of the crop."

Charlotte residents are encouraged to visit Veteran Resources if they need assistance this Veterans Day or afterward.