Columbia, MD – Under the leadership of the Hogan Administration, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings announced today the third employer networking meeting, focused on small business, for Operation Hire Maryland. Employers in attendance were coached on how to effectively make hiring and retaining veterans part of their business strategy. The goal for Operation Hire Maryland is to create a statewide veteran friendly business network.
“Our service members bring essential skill sets to the civilian work place, including technical and leadership skills, as well as attributes such as reliability, working as team members and commitment to the organization,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “We have a duty to ensure our Maryland veterans have access to jobs and other resources to support a strong quality of life.”
“Operation Hire Maryland is providing more employers with tools to successfully hire and retain one of our most valuable assets, our military veterans,” said Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings. “Thank you to PNC Bank and StrategicHealthSolutions for supporting our veterans and for partnering with Operation Hire Maryland on this successful event.”
Today’s meeting held at the Columbia Workforce Center, consisted of employers and human resources professionals from both public and private sector businesses. Employers heard from Employer Support for Guard and Reserve, Jiffy Lube-Pikesville, SoldierFit, Maryland National Guard, Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, and Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, on best practices and resources for recruiting veterans to the civilian work place.
“PNC is committed to hiring and retaining military, veterans and reservists, a goal that is ultimately good for business,” said Laura Gamble, PNC Bank regional president in Greater Maryland. “Organizations of all sizes can benefit from hiring veterans as they bring valuable ideals, motivation and desirable skills to the workforce.”
“Helping those who have served our country is our civic duty. In any way that we can hire vets, we are committed to making that happen,” said Peg Stessman, StrategicHealthSolutions Founder and CEO.
Information on Operation Hire Maryland can be found at the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs website, veterans.maryland.gov/operation-hire-maryland/ or by contacting Dana Hendrickson, Director-Outreach and Advocacy, at dana.hendrickson@maryland.gov or 410-260-3842.
