Virginia Chamber Foundation and Virginia Department of Veterans Services Recognize State Military Installations for Partnership in HIRE VETS NOW Program

Representatives from Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee and NAS Norfolk Honored For Joint Efforts To Help Transitioning Service Members, Veterans and Spouses Network with Potential Civilian Employers

(RICHMOND) Representatives from three of Virginia’s largest military installations have been recognized for their efforts partnering with the Virginia Chamber Foundation and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) to launch the HIRE VETS NOW program.

HIRE VETS NOW is a program created and initiated by the Virginia Chamber Foundation and DVS in February 2018 to bring together transitioning military service members, military spouses and business representatives to share in professional development and career networking.

Receiving inaugural Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Installation awards were Gary Adams, Transition Services Specialist at Fort Belvoir; Na’Stelle Graves, Transition Manager at Fort Lee; and Amanda Slosson, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Regional Transition Outreach Coordinator.

Their awards were presented at the Virginia Chamber Foundation’s 2018 Virginia Workforce Conference in Richmond on September 25.  Virginia’s U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, Governor Ralph Northam and Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax were among the more than 900 representatives of Virginia employers, educational institutions, and state and local governments attending the conference.

“It is a distinct privilege to present these inaugural V3 Installation Awards to Ms. Graves, Ms. Slosson and Mr. Adams,” said John L. Newby II, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “These three individuals have gone above and beyond their call of duty to engage in this partnership with our agency, the Chamber Foundation and other key partners to assure the success of the HIRE VETS NOW program. Together, we are providing greater opportunities for transitioning service members at Fort Belvoir, Fort Lee and at Naval Station Norfolk.”

“The Virginia Chamber Foundation is pleased to recognize our military installation partners who have been critical to the success of the HIRE VETS NOW program. Holding these networking events on the bases where our military work every day makes it easier for our transitioning servicemen and women to attend. We look forward to continuing to work with our installation partners and the Virginia Department of Veterans Services to connect employers with veteran talent and ensure that Virginia is the best state in the nation for our military members and their families,” said Barry DuVal, President  & CEO, Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

The HIRE VETS NOW networking events are open to all transitioning military members, veterans and their spouses. There is no charge to attend but pre-registration is requested. For more details, interested service members and veterans can visit https://www.vachamber.com/foundation/hirevets/, www.dvs.virginia.gov or email or call Rose Dare at r.dare@vachamber.com (804.237.1451).

Presentation of V3 Installation Awards at 2018 Virginia Chamber Workforce Conference

(Left to right) Mike Melo, President & CEO, ITA International, LLC and Chair, Virginia Chamber Military & Veterans Affairs Industry Council; Gary Adams, Fort Belvoir; Na’Stelle Graves, Fort Lee; Amanda Slosson, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic; John L. Newby II, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS); Alison Foster,  DVS Manager, Veterans Transition Assistance Program (VTAP): Cyndi Miracle, Senior Vice President of Programs, Virginia Chamber Foundation; and Barry DuVall, President & CEO, Virginia Chamber.

About The Virginia Chamber Foundation

The mission of the Virginia Chamber Foundation is to strengthen Virginia’s long-term competitiveness through implementation support for Blueprint Virginia 2025. The Foundation conducts research, provides metrics for the state’s progress and produces events on issues facing business.

About the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program

The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program is a Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Veterans Services Program. Its mission is to help employers understand, design and implement nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining veteran employees. For more information on the V3 Program, please visit www.dvsv3.com.

About VDVS

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) operates 29 benefit offices throughout the state that assist military veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; two long-term care facilities offering nursing, assisted living, and domiciliary care for veterans; and three cemeteries that provide an honored final resting place for veterans and their families. VDVS provides veterans and family members with direct linkages to services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education and other programs.  The Department also operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s monument to honor the memory and sacrifice of Virginia’s men and women who served and fought to defend our way of life from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.

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