The awards, selected by the Veterans Employment & Education Commission, will officially be presented during the National Convention in Louisville, Ky.
The Veterans Employment & Education Commission has announced this year’s national VE&E award winners. The awards will officially be presented during the 107th National Convention in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 28-Sept. 3.
With selected comments and other information from their nomination forms, here are the award winners:
Small Employer (50 or fewer employees): ForgeNow, Lewisville, Texas
“ForgeNow is a veteran-founded, veteran-driven training school that provides accelerated career programs in high-demand skilled trades alongside lifetime job placement services. With a mission to serve those who served, ForgeNow has become a trusted partner to military installations nationwide, helping service members and veterans transition from the uniform to meaningful civilian careers.”
Medium Employer (51-200 employees): Defense Consulting Services, San Antonio, Texas
“DCS recognizes the immense value that veterans bring to the civilian workforce, drawing upon a rich tapestry of skills and experiences from their military service. Their meticulous training in leadership, effective teamwork, and strategic problem-solving equips them with a distinctive edge for navigating diverse roles in various industries. By thoughtfully integrating these invaluable attributes into hiring and retention strategies, DCS can not only attract and retain talented veterans but also harness their unique strengths to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive workplace that thrives on diversity and innovation.”
Large Employer: (200-plus employees): Black Hills Energy, Rapid City, S.D.
“Black Hills Energy maintains a veteran workforce exceeding 10%, supported by progressive policies including 120 hours of annual paid military leave, benefits continuity during deployment, and the counting of prior military service toward PTO accrual. Their Veterans Engagement Team (VET) provides a robust internal support system through mentorship and advocacy, while their community outreach — including R.E.D. Shirt Fridays and the Rapid City Veterans Day Parade — reflects a culture of genuine gratitude.”
Employment Service (Local Office): Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Texas
“Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County leads the way and sets a STATEWIDE example for assistance to veterans in the community. … I can think of no better organization to be recognized for their workforce initiatives and partnership to ensure the needs of veterans and their families are met.”
Employment Service (Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER)): Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Round Rock, Texas
“During the most recent reporting period, Isaac continued to deliver measurable outcomes: a 60% Employer Effectiveness Ratio, 93 quality referrals and job developments, 5 partner trainings, 116 employer outreaches, 5 employer events, 4 employer awards, and 12 case conferences. Behind each of these numbers is a veteran moving closer to meaningful employment and an employer gaining a dedicated, skilled team member.”
Employment Service (Disable Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist): Yanta Haynes, Loganville, Ga.
“Across all events, I provided employment support to more than 800 veterans statewide. From these engagements, I conducted targeted follow-up with 200+ veterans, assisting with WorkSource Georgia portal registration, job fair navigation, and DVOP individualized services to ensure continued access to employment pathways.”
Employer of Older Workers: First Command Financial Services, Fort Worth, Texas
“First Command was founded in 1958 by retired Air Force officer Lt. Col. Carroll Payne for the purpose of improving the financial well-being of service members and their families. Recognizing that no one understands the unique challenges and opportunities associated with military life better than those who have served, Lt. Col. Payne established a tradition of hiring and retaining veterans to serve as financial coaches, and that tradition endures today. In recent years, First Command has expanded that focus to include military spouses. … Today, 75% of First Command Financial Advisors are veterans (48.2%) or military spouses (14.4%) or identify as both a veteran and military spouse (11.9%).”
Enhance the Lives of Disabled Persons: PRIDE Industries, Dallas, Texas
“Since 1966, PRIDE Industries has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people with disabilities by providing access to competitive, integrated employment. Our impact is especially significant in the veteran community, where we actively recruit, hire, and support veterans. Many of our operational sites are located on military bases, allowing us to directly engage with transitioning service members and veterans.”
Michael Guty Homeless Veterans Outreach: Dallas Legacy Mission Inc., Dallas, Texas
Dallas Legacy Mission Inc. “provides direct, meaningful support to homeless veterans in Dallas, recognizing both the visible and invisible challenges they face. Their Homeless Veteran Outreach program responds to urgent needs by distributing nutritious food, clean clothing, hygiene items, and a wide range of essential supplies, ensuring every veteran they encounter receives practical help and a sense of dignity.”
- Careers