In episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, host Bryan Eisenberg sits down with Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Veteran Employer Liaison for the Texas Veterans Commission, to discuss a free hiring pipeline that many Central Texas employers are unaware of. The episode, released May 26, 2026, highlights how transitioning service members represent a strong but overlooked talent pool for businesses 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, explains the practical mechanics of veteran hiring and the support available at no cost to Texas employers. He details how WorkInTexas.com automatically matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts. He also discusses 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.
The conversation covers translating military titles such as sergeant or commander into civilian equivalents like supervisor, manager, or director. 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."
Eisenberg, who operates the A Place at Home franchise providing care for seniors and veterans, presses Marquez-Diaz on how small businesses can connect with this talent pool. The episode 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 discusses the Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari, scheduled for July 22, with over 200 employers expected. Last year's event drew over 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York. Employers can contact Marquez-Diaz via email or connect through LinkedIn.
