PRESS RELEASE: 400 Attendees Gather Virtually for 2021 Virginia Veteran and Military Affairs Conference & Annual Virginia Values Veterans Awards Program

Leaders Gather from Across the Commonwealth to Participate in Key Discussions on Expanding Economic Opportunity for Military Families Through the Power of Partnerships 

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Moments ago, the 2021 Virginia Veteran and Military Affairs Conference & Annual Virginia Values Veterans Awards Program, hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation, the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, concluded with the participation of more than 400 attendees.

Held for the second time as a virtual program, this conference and award ceremony serves to foster meaningful discussions focused on Virginia’s support for our military members, veteran community, and their families.

“With 30 military installations and one of the largest veteran populations in the country, Virginia remains deeply committed to empowering the men and women who answer the call to serve by providing a high quality of life for them not only while they serve, but as they transition to civilian life,” said Virginia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Barry DuVal. “We are also accelerating our efforts to reduce spousal unemployment and ensure military spouses have access to rewarding careers and economic opportunity in the Commonwealth.”

Senator Tim Kaine participated in the signature conference, serving as the featured morning keynote speaker. A recording of the Senator’s remarks can be found by following this link.

As part of the 2021 Virginia Veteran and Military Affairs Conference, Senator John Bell (chief patron of Senate Bill 1410) and Senator Jen Kiggans (chief patron of Senate Bill 1150) were announced as the recipients of the 2021 Virginia Chamber Blueprint Virginia Award in the category of Military and Veterans Affairs.

“As a veteran myself, someone who served almost 26 years, helping veterans is critically important and one of my core missions,” said Senator John Bell. “This bill was a collaborative effort and I want to thank the Virginia Chamber for supporting it. This bill eliminates discrimination of veterans, it helps spouses of veterans, and I believe it will make Virginia more welcoming to those who serve our nation so bravely.”

“I am honored to be an advocate for all of our military families, for our veterans, and for our military spouses while serving in the General Assembly in Richmond,” said Senator Jen Kiggans. “It was a great accomplishment to have a bill signed into law this past year, Senate Bill 1150, that created a military spouse liaison position within the Department of Veteran Services. I know as military spouses, when we move to new communities throughout the world, we are often without our families and need someone who can provide local help and information.  As a Navy veteran and Navy wife, I knew there was a need in Virginia for someone to be an advocate just for our military spouses.  It was a great honor and privilege to work with several different groups and advocates to create this position.”

Additional Highlights from Conference Included: 

Welcome Remarks:

• Commissioner John Maxwell, Virginia Department of Veteran Services
• Alan Witt, CEO Emeritus, PBMares / Dean, Luter School of Business Christopher Newport University and Chair, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

Special Remarks:

• Chris Doss, Senior Director of Operations, Capital One
• Sultan Camp, Military Spouse and Veterans Programs, Newport News Shipbuilding, A Division of Huntington Ingalls Industries

Morning Keynote Remarks:

• The Honorable Tim Kaine, United States Senate

Innovating the Workplace for Military Spouses Panel Discussion:

• Introduced by – Victor Hoskins, President & CEO, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
• Moderated by – Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO and Board President, BlueStar Families
• Panelists: Beth Conlin, Senior Program Manager- Military Spouse Programs, Amazon
• Miranda Jones, Supervisor, Military & College Recruiting, PenFed Credit Union  
• Laura Schmiegel, Senior Associate / Head of Military and Veteran Affairs, Corporate Affairs, Booz Allen Hamilton

Virginia: The Best State for Military Families Panel Discussion

• Introduced by – Victor Hoskins, President & CEO, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
• Moderated by – Annie Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services  
• Panelists: Brandy Akins, Altria CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellow, Altria
• Troy Vandenberg, Military Talent Acquisition Manager, Smithfield
• Andrew Warren, Senior Policy Advisor, Dominion Energy
• Doug Wagoner, President and CEO, LMI

Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Awards Program

Special Remarks & Presentation of Governor’s Awards:

• The Honorable Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia

A full copy of today’s agenda can be found here. Recordings can be provided by request.

###