MOAA will present its 2018 Distinguished Service Award to Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company, in recognition of the company's outstanding contributions in support of the military community. The award will be presented at an April event on Capitol Hill.

MOAA's Distinguished Service Award recognizes organizations or individuals who have greatly aided people who served in the U.S. armed forces. Johnson is being recognized for Starbucks Coffee Company's continued commitment to hiring veterans and military spouses.

Veteran unemployment is always on MOAA's radar, said MOAA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins, USAF (Ret). “Starbucks Coffee Company is taking a stand where it can, in the way it can, to help with that. I am proud to honor Kevin Johnson and Starbucks Coffee Company with the 2018 Distinguished Service Award.”

The awards ceremony also will recognize Tim Barone, president and CEO of Vantage Mobility International, for the company's work helping thousands of disabled veterans achieve independence and mobility.

Additionally, MOAA will present its 2018 Arthur T. Marix Congressional Leadership Award to U.S. Reps. Martha McSally (R) and Kyrsten Sinema (D), both of Arizona. Jorge Rueda, formerly with the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, and Samantha Gonzalez, with the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, will receive MOAA's 2018 Colonel Paul W. Arcari Meritorious Service Award.

MOAA has awarded the Marix and Distinguished Service awards since 1997. Past recipients of the Marix Award include Sens. Lindsay Graham, John McCain, and Jim Webb; past recipients of the Distinguished Service Award include Tom Brokaw, Toby Keith, and retired Army Gen. Colin Powell. The Arcari award recognizing congressional staff members was first awarded in 2000.

More about the award recipients:

MOAA to Honor Congressional Leaders, Starbucks & Vantage Mobility CEOs

Vantage Mobility Intl. to Receive 2018 MOAA Distinguished Service Award

MOAA to Present Congressional Leadership Awards to Arizona Reps

MOAA to Present Hill Staffers with Meritorious Service Award