The Texas Veterans Commission's Veteran Employer Liaison Isaac Marquez-Diaz recently appeared on Episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast to discuss a free hiring pipeline that many Central Texas business owners remain unaware of. The episode, released May 26, 2026, explains how transitioning service members represent a strong and often overlooked talent pool for employers in Round Rock, Williamson County, and across Texas.
Marquez-Diaz, a military veteran and former police officer based at the Round Rock Workforce Solutions office, outlined practical steps for veteran hiring and the no-cost support available to Texas employers. Key topics included how WorkInTexas.com automatically matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts. He also detailed 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.
Marquez-Diaz emphasized the need to translate military titles such as sergeant or commander into civilian equivalents like supervisor, manager, or director. He pushed back on the assumption that veteran hiring requires special handling, explaining 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.
The conversation also highlighted the Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari, scheduled for July 22, with over 200 employers expected. Marquez-Diaz shared why he left law enforcement to take this role after the Texas Veterans Commission helped him find work at an Austin-area job fair. He recounted 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. Last year's Kalahari job fair drew over 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York.
Host Bryan Eisenberg, who operates the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, pressed Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can connect with this talent pool. The episode aims to inform employers about the free resources available through the Texas Veterans Commission and the benefits of hiring veterans.
