Texas Veterans Commission Liaison Reveals Free Hiring Pipeline for Employers

Episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, released May 26, 2026, features Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Veteran Employer Liaison for the Texas Veterans Commission. The episode highlights a free, state-funded hiring pipeline unknown to many Central Texas business owners and explains why transitioning service members may be the strongest, most overlooked talent pool available to employers across Round Rock, Williamson County, and the broader Texas economy.

Marquez-Diaz, a military veteran and former police officer based at the Round Rock Workforce Solutions office, breaks down the practical mechanics of veteran hiring and the support available at no cost to Texas employers. Key resources include WorkInTexas.com, which auto-matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) internship pipeline allows employers to host transitioning soldiers for up to 90 days while the military continues paying their salary, reducing financial risk for businesses.

Marquez-Diaz emphasizes the importance of translating military titles into civilian equivalents. For example, a sergeant or commander can be reframed as supervisor, manager, or director. He pushes back on the assumption that veteran hiring requires special handling, noting the discipline built into service members: "When you go to basic training, they kind of delete who you were and they transform you into a soldier. If you give them a mission, they're going to accomplish it."

The Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari, scheduled July 22, is another major opportunity, with over 200 employers expected. Last year's event drew over 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York. Marquez-Diaz shares success stories, including a Marine veteran relocating from San Diego whose state application was nearly rejected over a technical error. After Marquez-Diaz advocated on his behalf, the candidate was hired and now serves as HR Director for the Texas General Land Office, where he is building new veteran-focused programs.

Small businesses can connect with this talent pool by contacting Marquez-Diaz via LinkedIn. The episode, hosted by Bryan Eisenberg of A Place at Home, underscores that veteran hiring is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage for Texas employers.