A new episode of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast sheds light on a free, state-funded hiring pipeline that many Central Texas business owners may not know about. Episode 75, titled 'How Veterans Can Find Great Jobs in Texas,' features Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Veteran Employer Liaison for the Texas Veterans Commission. Released May 26, 2026, the episode explains why transitioning service members represent one of the strongest and most overlooked talent pools 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, outlined practical mechanics for veteran hiring and the support available at no cost to Texas employers. Key topics include how WorkInTexas.com auto-matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts; the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) internship pipeline, which allows employers to host transitioning soldiers for up to 90 days while the military continues paying their salary; and translating military titles such as sergeant or commander into civilian equivalents like supervisor, manager, or director. Marquez-Diaz also highlighted the upcoming Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari, scheduled for July 22, with over 200 employers expected to attend.
Marquez-Diaz shared why he left law enforcement to take his current role, after the Texas Veterans Commission helped him find work at an Austin-area job fair. He pushed back on the assumption that veteran hiring requires special handling, emphasizing 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,' he said.
Bryan Eisenberg, host of the podcast and operator of the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, pressed Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can actually connect with this talent pool. The conversation included success stories, such as 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. Marquez-Diaz also recounted a recent community project and detailed last year's Kalahari job fair, which drew over 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York.
The implications of this announcement are significant for Texas employers. By leveraging the free resources provided by the Texas Veterans Commission, businesses can access a highly disciplined and mission-driven workforce without incurring recruitment costs. The TAP internship pipeline, in particular, reduces financial risk for employers, allowing them to evaluate candidates before committing to a full-time hire. For transitioning service members, this pipeline offers a structured path to civilian employment, addressing a critical need as thousands of military personnel leave active duty each year. As Central Texas continues to grow, tapping into this veteran talent pool could help fill labor shortages and strengthen the local economy.
