Episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, 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 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 out of the Round Rock Workforce Solutions office, breaks down the practical mechanics of veteran hiring and the support available at no cost to Texas employers. Topics covered include how WorkInTexas.com auto-matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts; the TAP (Transition Assistance Program) 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 discusses the Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari, scheduled July 22, with 200+ employers expected.
Marquez-Diaz shares 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 pushes 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. Eisenberg, who operates the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, presses Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can actually connect with this talent pool.
The conversation digs into specific 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. 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. Employers can contact him via LinkedIn.
The Texas Veterans Commission's free services provide a critical bridge between employers and a disciplined, mission-oriented workforce. For employers in Round Rock and beyond, tapping into this pipeline could address hiring challenges while supporting those who have served.
