Episode 75 of the Rock Solid: Round Rock Business Leaders Podcast, released May 26, 2026, features Isaac Marquez-Diaz, Veteran Employer Liaison for the Texas Veterans Commission. In the episode, Marquez-Diaz reveals a free, state-funded hiring pipeline that many Central Texas business owners are unaware of, emphasizing that 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, explains the practical mechanics of veteran hiring and the support available at no cost to Texas employers. Key topics include how WorkInTexas.com auto-matches job postings to qualified candidates, including unemployment recipients required to maintain accounts, and 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. Marquez-Diaz also discusses 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," he said.
Host Bryan 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 conversation includes specific success stories, such as 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 details last year's Kalahari job fair, which drew over 1,200 attendees, including candidates who flew in from New York.
The Texas Veterans Commission Job Fair Con at Kalahari is scheduled for July 22, with 200+ employers expected. Employers can connect with Marquez-Diaz via LinkedIn.
