2024 Hiring Red, White & You! Connecting Veterans to Careers in Deep East Texas
The Hiring Red, White & You! event is one of the most significant career fairs dedicated to veterans, transitioning military members, and military spouses in Texas. Hosted annually in November to honor Veterans Day, this statewide hiring event offers invaluable opportunities for those who have served our country to connect with employers who recognize the unique skills and experiences they bring to the workforce. The event aims to build bridges between veterans and employers, ensuring that those who have served in the military can transition smoothly into meaningful civilian careers.
On November 7, 2024, Workforce Solutions Deep East Texas hosted Hiring Red, White & You! at the C.L. Simon Recreation Center for local veterans and job seekers. The event was a powerful reminder of the importance of supporting our veterans in their career transition. The gathering featured a series of impactful speeches:
- Opening Remarks: Larissa Philpot-Brown, President and CEO of the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation, kicked things off, highlighting the significance of veterans in the workforce and the local community’s commitment to supporting them.
- Community Remarks: Mayor Randy Johnson shared his thoughts on the role veterans play in the development and growth of Nacogdoches, emphasizing the community’s deep appreciation for those who have served.
- Texas is the Best State for Veterans: A moving address by Chris Nelson, fellow veteran and Chief Financial Officer for the Texas Workforce Commission, underscored why Texas is the best state for veterans—both in terms of career opportunities and the strong support network available to veterans and their families.
- Posting of the Colors: The Nacogdoches ISD JROTC displayed the colors in a solemn tribute to all veterans in attendance.
- Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michele Conner, the Military Veteran Peer Network and TVC Certified Peer Service Coordinator at Burke Center.
With over 1.5 million veterans calling Texas home, the state has become a key hub for military members transitioning to civilian life. Not only is Texas home to more veterans than any other state, but it also boasts the largest population of women veterans. Each year, approximately 22,000 veterans exit active duty and either stay in or return to Texas, adding to the already robust veteran community. Hiring Red, White & You! is a crucial event for veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members to connect with employers who understand the value of their military training and experience.
At this year’s Hiring Red, White & You! event in Nacogdoches, a wide range of employers were on hand to recruit veteran talent. The event held 263 job seekers, including 26 veteran job seekers, 8 support organizations and 27 recruiting employers including:
- A.T. Staffing
- At Your Side Home Care
- Burke Center
- Cal-Tex Lumber Company
- City of Nacogdoches
- Darling Ingredients
- Elara Caring
- Etech
- Forward March
- Holiday Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Hospice in the Pines
- Lockheed Martin
- McWilliams Heating, Cooling and Plumbing
- Motorhomes of Texas
- Pilgrim's Pride
- pOpshelf
- Spherion Staffing
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Texas Department of Transportation
- Texas Farm Products
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Willowbrook Nursing Center
- Windham School District
Veterans are highly sought after by Texas employers, and for good reason. They possess a unique set of skills, including adaptability, leadership, problem solving, and diversity of experience. With a broad range of roles and missions during their service, veterans bring a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the table.
TOPICS: Partnerships
