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, who details a free hiring pipeline for Texas employers. The program, funded by the state, helps businesses tap into a largely overlooked talent pool of transitioning service members.
Marquez-Diaz, a military veteran and former police officer based at the Round Rock Workforce Solutions office, explains how employers can use WorkInTexas.com to auto-match job postings with 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, making it a cost-effective way to evaluate potential hires.
During the interview, Marquez-Diaz addresses common barriers, such as translating military titles like sergeant or commander into civilian equivalents such as supervisor, manager, or director. He emphasizes that veteran hiring does not require special handling, stating, '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 for July 22, is expected to draw over 200 employers. Last year's event attracted more than 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York. Marquez-Diaz shares a success story about 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.
Host Bryan Eisenberg, who operates the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, presses Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can connect with this talent pool. Marquez-Diaz encourages employers to contact him directly for assistance navigating the hiring process.
The episode highlights the importance of leveraging state resources to address workforce shortages while supporting veterans transitioning to civilian careers. With Texas being one of the fastest-growing states, initiatives like this are crucial for both economic development and veteran reintegration.
