Being employed and being meaningfully employed aren’t always the same thing.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Michelle DeHaven, V²M | The Veteran Magazine, Hello@V2Mag.com, (434) 515-2556
Being employed and being meaningfully employed aren’t always the same thing.
‘Next Chapter Veteran Career & Hiring Expo’ Connects Veterans and Military Spouses with Meaningful Career
Opportunities in the Central Virginia region.
LYNCHBURG, Virginia, August 27, 2026 | For Veterans and military spouses who are unemployed,
under-employed, or ready for a career change, the Next Chapter Veteran Career & Hiring Expo will provide an
opportunity to connect directly with employers who recognize the value of military experience and are ready to
have meaningful conversations about employment.
The goal of Next Chapter is to create better opportunities for employers and job seekers to connect. The expo will
bring together Veteran-ready employers with current openings, career preparation and workforce resources, and
opportunities for on-site interviews.
Reaching the Under-Employed Veteran | While unemployment is an obvious challenge, organizers also hope
Next Chapter brings attention to Veterans and military spouses who are technically employed but have not yet
found work that reflects their abilities, experience, or career goals.
Military service develops skills ranging from leadership and logistics to technical expertise, problem-solving,
communication, and the ability to perform under pressure. Translating that experience into the civilian workforce,
however, isn't always straightforward. Veterans may find themselves in positions that don't fully use their skills or
experience, while employers may not always recognize how military experience applies to their workforce needs.
Next Chapter aims to make that translation easier, helping Veterans recognize and communicate the value of their
experience while giving employers an opportunity to see beyond military job titles and identify the skills behind
them.
Event Details | Although Next Chapter is built with Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses
in mind, the event is free and open to the public.
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026 Networking: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Event Start: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
300 Lucado Plaza, Lynchburg, Virginia
Admission is free. Job seekers & employers can register online at: NextChapterVets.org
This event is a collaborative effort of Crawford Olin, V²M | The Veteran Magazine, Lynchburg Regional Business
Alliance, Virginia Career Works, and Operation Heroes Connect. Together, the organizations are combining
Veteran outreach, employer relationships, workforce development services, and community resources to connect
job seekers with meaningful opportunities.
Media Availability | Dr. Zamora Crawford Olin, owner of Crawford Olin and a U.S. Navy Veteran, is available to
speak from both a Veteran and employer perspective about the transition from military experience to civilian
employment, the challenges of under-employment, and why finding meaningful employment can be very different
from simply finding a job.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
