RICHMOND, VA – Three elected members of the Virginia General Assembly – Delegate Mike Cherry, Delegate Michael Feggans, and Delegate Jackie Glass – who are U.S. armed forces veterans were among the headliners at the 2026 Virginia Veterans and Military Affairs Executive Forum attended by approximately 350 leaders from the government, defense, and business sectors.

The event featured video remarks from Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger, a keynote address from Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Timothy Williams, remarks from Virginia Department of Veterans Services Commissioner John Maxwell, and the presentation of the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Awards that recognize employers committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans and military spouses.

“When we invest in our veterans, we strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our communities,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger in a video message shared during the Forum. “Virginia has a proud military heritage. Our Commonwealth is home to service members, military installations, defense industries, and communities that understand the sacrifices made by those who wear our nation’s uniform. But our responsibility to those who serve does not end when they take off the uniform. It continues when they return home, transition into civilian life, and begin the next chapter of their careers. And one of the most meaningful ways we can honor that service is by opening doors to opportunity. Hiring veterans is not simply the right thing to do – it’s a smart business decision.”

Hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation, the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS), and the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation, this year’s forum helped highlight how Virginia’s military community and veteran workforce drive the Commonwealth’s economic competitiveness and innovation.

Additional Forum programming included a pair of discussions on “Virginia’s Commitment to Military Families and Defense” and “Winning the Military Talent Race” as well as interactive employer breakout sessions on the topics of “Defense Industrial Base and Advanced Manufacturing,” “Cyber, AI, and Digital Technologies,” and “Overcoming Employment Barriers.”

“Military and defense investments are a key economic driver for Virginia and vital to our overall prosperity and national security,” said Virginia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brad N. Hall. “Each year, tens of billions of dollars flow to the Virginia economy from defense investments. And more than 150,000 Virginia jobs are directly linked to federal defense spending including positions across military personnel, civilian employees, and defense-associated employment. The annual Virginia Veterans and Military Affairs Executive Forum provides an opportunity to recognize those important economic contributions and promote collaborative strategies to sustain and strengthen Virginia’s status as a national leader in supporting the defense sector and hiring talented veterans to civilian roles after their service concludes.”

“Virginia’s veterans and military spouses bring extraordinary skills, leadership, adaptability, and a mission-driven work ethic to the workforce,” added Timothy Williams, Virginia’s Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs. “Hiring those who have served – and the spouses who have supported them – is more than a way to recognize their sacrifice; it is a smart investment in Virginia’s economic future. By connecting this talented community with meaningful career opportunities, we strengthen our workforce, support military families, and ensure Virginia remains a place where those who serve our nation can build successful futures.”

The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program equips employers with the tools and strategies needed to successfully recruit, hire, and retain Virginia’s veterans for the long term. Since the program’s inception, participating employers have hired more than 171,000 veterans – demonstrating a lasting impact on Virginia’s workforce and veteran community.

This year’s 2026 V3 Award recipients are:

• Small Company (1-50 employees): RFH Tactical Mobility, LLC
• Medium Sized Company (51-300 employees): Knight Federal Solutions
• Large Company (301-1,000 employees): Q.E.D. Systems, Inc.
• Enterprise Sized Company: (1,001-plus employees): Amazon Corporate, LLC

For more information on the 2026 Virginia Veterans and Military Affairs Executive Forum and other Virginia Chamber of Commerce events, visit vachamber.com.

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About the Virginia Chamber Foundation: 

The Virginia Chamber Foundation is the 501(c)(3) arm of the Virginia Chamber, which tracks economic competitiveness and advances long-term policy solutions. Through in-depth research and analysis, strategic initiatives, and sector-specific Industry Councils, the Foundation develops, advances, and tracks the proposed priorities within Blueprint Virginia – a comprehensive plan to position the Commonwealth as the best state for business. These Councils convene leaders from across key industries to provide expert insight on public policy issues shaping Virginia’s future. Learn more at https://vachamber.com/foundation/about-the-foundation/.

About the Virginia Chamber of Commerce:

The Virginia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in the Commonwealth, with more than 30,000 members. The Virginia Chamber is a non-partisan organization that champions the interests of the business community in the legislative, regulatory, and political arenas to serve as the catalyst for positive change in all areas of economic development and competitiveness for Virginia. Learn more at www.vachamber.com.

About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS)

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 health, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The agency operates four long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, dementia/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 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.

About the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program 

Part of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS), the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program helps employers develop and implement long-term strategies and nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. Since the program’s inception in 2013, businesses, state and local government agencies, and educational institutions have hired more than 171,000 veterans and military spouses. For more information, please visit www.dvsV3.com.