RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – Moments ago, the 2023 Virginia Veterans 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 over 500 attendees.

In its fifth year as a co-hosted event, the annual 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. Through the HIRE VETS NOW program, we have helped connect nearly 8,000 service members and military spouses to more than 1500 V3 employers, but our work does not end there,” said Virginia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Barry DuVal. “The Chamber remains deeply focused on our efforts to help veterans and military spouses connect and transition into the civilian workforce.”

Additional highlights from today’s conference include:

(Listed in order of appearance)

Special Remarks:
The Honorable Craig Crenshaw, Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs

Panel Discussion: Supporting the Military in the Commonwealth
Moderated By: Drew Warren, Senior Policy Advisor, Dominion Energy

Panelists:

Colonel Michael Brooks, USMC, Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Quantico

Captain Matt Frauenzimmer, USN, Commanding Officer, Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads

Colonel James Hoyman, USA, Garrison Commander, Fort Gregg-Adams

Colonel Harry Hung, USA, Deputy Joint Base Commander, Joint Base Langley Eustis

Colonel James Shaver, VANG, Garrison Commander, Fort Barfoot

Captain Jennifer Stockwell, USCG, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Virginia

Panel Discussion: Growing Economic Opportunity for Military Spouses

Introduction of Panel: Mike Batt, Vice President, Talent, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority

Moderated By: Sultan Camp, Director, Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Center (HRVEC) / Co-Chair, Blueprint Virginia 2030 Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Committee

Panelists:

Kathy Roth-Douquet, Co-Founder and CEO, Blue Star Families

Liz O’Brien, Executive Director, Hiring our Heroes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Tom Downs, Head of Diversity Talent Acquisition and Talent Pipeline Programs, Booz Allen

David Lee, Director, Military Community Initiatives, CVS Health

Panel Discussion: Supporting Veterans in The Workplace

Moderated By: Chris Doss, Senior Director of Operations, Capital One / Co-Chair, Blueprint Virginia 2030 Military and Veterans Affairs Executive Committee

Panelists:

Mike Melo, CEO, ITA International LLC

Maureen Merkl, Sr. Consultant, Healthcare Advisory, LMI

Gary Patton MG (Ret), USA, VP, Veterans and Military Affairs, CACI International

Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Awards Program

Welcome, Prayer & Introduction of the Governor: Greg McQuade, WTVR 6 Emcee

Opening Remarks and V3 Governor’s Awards: The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, 74th Governor of Virginia

Introduction Of Keynote: Greg McQuade, WTVR 6 Emcee

Keynote Remarks: General Stanley A. McChrystal, U.S. Army (Retired)

V3 10-Year Recognition Video Presentation

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

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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 Values Veterans (V3) Program:

More than 3,000 businesses, state and local government agencies, and educational institutions are part of the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program. These employers have hired more than 100,000 veterans since the program’s inception in 2013.  Part of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), the V3 Program helps employers develop and implement long-term strategies and nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. For more information, please visit www.dvsV3.com

About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services:

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 50 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia.  DVS traces its history to 1928 and the establishment of the Virginia War Service Bureau to assist Virginia’s World War I veterans. Today, DVS assists veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; provides veterans and family members with linkages to services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The agency operates four long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s/memory care, and short-term rehabilitation for veterans; and provides an honored final resting place for veterans and their families at three state veterans cemeteries. It also operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.