The COVID-19 pandemic forced both the 2020 and 2021 conferences to be virtual, but using that forum also allowed significantly more people to participate than in previous years. A total of 1,353 people registered for the 2021 conference– a 230% increase over the 588 who attended in person in 2019. Most attendees were state employees who work directly with Veterans, eligible spouses and Transitioning Service Members, along with the Federal partners, employers and Veteran Service Organizations. We will soon be announcing keynote and plenary speakers for 2022. We will again be at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington DC.
- Check out the materials from the 2021 Veterans Conference and visit the Twitter feed to see the action from the #NASWAVets21
Conference Wrap-Up
The National Association of State Workforce Agencies held its ninth annual Veterans conference on June 28-30, 2022. It was great to gather in person again for the first time in three years! In addition to four keynote speakers, the event included an employer panel, five other plenary speakers, 18 different workshops and presentation of the Mark Sanders Award for excellence.
We hope you can join us for the 2023 Veterans Conference in Washington, DC on August 2 - 4, 2023!
Keynote Speakers
General Stanley McChrystal
Four Star General Stan McChrystal is the former commander of US and International Forces in Afghanistan.
After graduating from West Point in 1976, General McChrystal served for 34 years – much of that time commanding special forces and airborne infantry units.
His address at the 2022 NASWA Veterans Conference, “Lessons in Leadership,” is being sponsored by eightfold.ai
In dynamic presentations on leadership, General Stan McChrystal shares lessons based on leading and innovating one of the world’s largest organizations. Modern warfare and business demand the same no-nonsense leadership that drives change and implements it across large organizations. He reveals the power of culture, communication, and relationships, sharing stories, experiences, and principles that make his points. McChrystal addresses such key leadership principles as transparency and inclusion, leveraging the power of teams through relationships, leading by influence, relentless mission focus, and sharing a clear vision with everyone who must execute against it.
Disability Advocate Richard Pimentel
Back by popular demand! A lot of you have asked, and disability advocate Richard Pimentel is making a return visit to the NASWA Vets Conference. He will be one of four keynote speakers, and will also present a workshop.
Richard lost his hearing while serving in Vietnam. His story was told in the feature film, “The Music Within.” He also helped write the ADA, and developed training materials aimed to help employers integrate persons with disabilities into the workplace.
He is being sponsored by CVS Health/Aetna.
Gold Star Wife Jennie Taylor
Jennie Taylor is the widow of Army Major Brent Taylor, who was killed in Afghanistan by a member of the Afghan security forces in 2018. The National Guard officer was on his fourth year-long tour at the time.
At the time of his death, Major Taylor was also the mayor of North Ogden, Utah, and the father of seven children – the youngest less than a year old.
Jennie has since started the Major Brent Taylor Foundation, and was appointed a civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army in Utah.
She is being sponsored by Google.
Retired Army Master Sergeant Cedric King
On July 25, 2012, during his second tour in Afghanistan, Master Sergeant King was severely injured by an IED which caused permanent damage to his right arm and the amputation of both legs. Within 21 months of his injury, he ran the Boston Marathon on prosthetic blades. He has finished five marathons - three on blades, one in a wheelchair, and in 2021, on a handcycle, completing the course in 2:15:17 (The winning time for runners was 2:09:51). Master Sergeant King is being sponsored by Microsoft.
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