PRESS RELEASE: Nearly 600 Attendees Gather in Richmond for 2022 Virginia Veteran and Military Affairs Conference & Annual Virginia Values Veterans Awards Program

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Moments ago, the 2022 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 close to 600 attendees.

Held in-person for the first time since 2019, this conference and award ceremony serves to foster meaningful discussions focused on how we can support Virginia’s military bases and veteran community through partnerships and make the Commonwealth the best state for our veterans and military families.

“With one of the largest veteran populations in the country, Virginia and its business community remain deeply committed to supporting Virginia’s military bases and veteran communities,” said Virginia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Barry DuVal. “We are also working to expand our efforts to help veterans and military spouses connect with career opportunities in the civilian workforce.”

Additional highlights from today’s conference include:

(Listed in order of appearance)

Special Remarks:
Fred Thompson, Chief Administrative Officer, Thompson Hospitality and Chair, Virginia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Daniel Gade, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services

Keynote Remarks: Stu Shea, President & CEO, Peraton

Panel Discussion: Supporting the Military in the Commonwealth
Introduced by: The Honorable Craig Crenshaw, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs
Moderated by: Drew Warren, Senior Policy Advisor, Dominion Energy
Panelists:
Colonel Michael Brooks, USMC, Commanding Officer Marine Corps Base Quantico
Captain David Dees, USN, Commanding Officer Naval Station Norfolk
Captain John Dewey, USCG, Commanding Officer Coast Guard Base Portsmouth
Colonel Harry Hung, USA, Deputy Joint Base Commander, Joint Base Langley-Eustis
Lieutenant Colonel James Shaver, VANG, Garrison Commander, Fort Pickett

Special Remarks: Jana Toner, Senior Vice President, American Corporate Partners (ACP)

Panel Discussion: Corporate Culture and How Employers Can Play a Role in Addressing The Mental Health of Our Veteran Workforce
Moderated by: Chris Doss, Senior Director of Operations, US Card, Enterprise Specialty Servicing, Capital One / Co-Chair, Blueprint Virginia 2030 Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Committee
Panelists:
Kerri-Anne Gonzalez, PM Military Recruiting Events, Global Military Affairs, Amazon
David Lee, Director of Military Programs, CVS
Mike Verano, LPC, LMFT, CEAP, CCISM, BC-TMH, CCTP, CFRC, Clinical Manager, Optima Health Employee Assistance Program
Emma Walsh, Chief Impact Officer, Hope for The Warriors

Panel Discussion: Ensuring A Successful Transition from Military to Civilian Careers
Introduced by: Mike Batt, Vice President of Talent, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Moderated by: Sultan Camp, Director, Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Centers / Co-Chair, Blueprint Virginia 2030 Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Committee
Panelists:
Mark Elliott, Head of Military and Veterans Affairs, JPMorgan
Matt Parker, Manager in Recruiting and Talent Acquisition, Altria
Major General Mark Simerly, USA, Commanding Support General, Combined Arms Support Command, Ft. Lee
Todd Yeatts, Senior Manager of Government Operations, The Boeing Company

Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Awards Program

Special Remarks & Presentation of Governor’s Awards: The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia
V3 Program Overview & Journey to 100K:
Annie Walker, Deputy Commissioner
Jasmine Gore, V3 Program Manager
V3 By the Numbers:
Jason Pak, Deputy Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs
Presentation of V3 Awards:
The Honorable Craig Crenshaw, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs
Evolving With Partners:
Phillip Trezza, Director, Veteran Transition and Employment Dr. Chris Byrd, Managing Director – B2 Consulting, LLC
Concluding Remarks:
Commissioner Daniel Gade
Laura Schmiegel, Virginia Veterans Services Foundation

A full copy of today’s agenda can be found here.

###

About the Virginia Chamber Foundation:

The Virginia Chamber Foundation tracks Virginia’s economic competitiveness conducts research and analysis, and hosts programs, connected to the priorities of Blueprint Virginia. In December 2021, the Chamber released its new statewide strategic economic development plan, Blueprint Virginia 2030, which has engaged over 7,000 business, economic development, workforce, education, housing, and other community leaders to lay out a plan to ensure Virginia remains at the top of national business climate rankings. Learn more at  www.blueprintvirginia.org.

About the Virginia Chamber of Commerce:

 The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, with more than 28,000 members. The Chamber is a non-partisan, business advocacy organization that works in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to act as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness, for Virginia. Learn more at https://vachamber.com/.