Veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and job seekers filled Reliant Center on Nov. 3 for the 15th annual Hiring Red, White & You!, connecting with 124 employers ready to hire. Organizers said the Houston event was expected to be the largest Hiring Red, White & You! ever.
Hosted by Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast with the Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Veterans Commission and community partners, the event welcomed 2,354 job seekers, including 581 veterans and 520 youth job seekers.
Honoring Service, Opening Doors
The day opened with a prayer from Houston City Council Member Willie Davis and the presentation of colors by the ILTexas Windmill Lakes Orem High School Color Guard, under the command of Jorge Valdez. Senior Master Sergeant Angela Matthews performed the national anthem, and John Smith, Manager of the Texas Veterans Network and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Joe Esparza, a Marine Corps veteran, welcomed attendees in a video message, noting that veterans bring extensive training, leadership and a strong work ethic to Texas employers.
TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III and Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett also thanked employers and partners for their commitment to those who have served.
Juliet Stipeche, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board and Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast, encouraged veterans to share their experience with pride.
“Veterans, carry that experience with confidence,” Stipeche said. “Tell those today what you have learned, what you have accomplished, and what you will do next.”
Paul Puente, Vice Chair of the Gulf Coast Workforce Board, reminded veterans and job seekers that their experience matters and that their next opportunity could begin with a single conversation.
The Largest Hiring Red, White & You! Yet
Mary York, Workforce Development Division Director at the Texas Workforce Commission, said the Houston event was expected to be the largest Hiring Red, White & You! ever, with more than 6,000 job seekers registered. It was one of 28 Hiring Red, White & You! events held across Texas this year.
Since the statewide initiative began, it has partnered with more than 28,000 employers and connected 167,000 job seekers, including 56,100 veterans, according to York.
She encouraged job seekers to treat the day as the start of a conversation with employers and to keep using Workforce Solutions services afterward.
Support for the Transition to Civilian Careers
Jo Ikard, District Manager for the Texas Veterans Commission and a Marine Corps veteran, shared a personal story of leaving the military as a geographic information systems specialist and facing unexpected barriers to employment, from a service-connected disability to being a single parent.
“I did not know that the workforce had everything that I would’ve needed to make that challenging time in my life a whole lot less difficult,” Ikard said.
Today, the Texas Veterans Commission has 42 staff members in the Gulf Coast area who provide employment services, case management, counseling and needs assessments within Workforce Solutions offices. Ikard said 87% of Texas Veterans Commission employees are veterans themselves.
TWC Commissioner Brent Connett reminded veterans that support continues beyond the event. Veterans receive priority service at all Workforce Solutions offices, and many offices have specialized veteran representatives.
By the Numbers
- Job seekers who attended: 2,354
- Veterans who attended: 581
- Youth job seekers who attended: 520
- Employers: 124
For job seekers who missed the event, help is available year-round. Veterans receive priority service at every Workforce Solutions office, where staff can help with job searches, training and other resources.
Thank you to every veteran, job seeker, employer, partner and volunteer who made the 15th annual Hiring Red, White & You! a success.
Explore in-demand careers and connect with top employers at upcoming Workforce Solutions hiring events. Register today to secure your spot and access career-building resources.
