VCC Magazine Fall-Winter 20-21

V irginia C apitol C onnections , F all 2020/W inter 2021 16 I found the experience insightful and rewarding with the number of women veterans attending and the diversity of employers available for networking. Thurraya S. Kent, APR After 26 years of active duty on bases throughout the U.S. and abroad, I assumed my next step would be to apply my public relations and marketing skills in a similar role with a civilian company or government agency. I had the opportunity to work with a VTAP program manager who helped me put together a resume but who also surprised me by asking, “What is your passion?” and advised me that transitioning to civilian life was an opportunity to “rebrand” myself. She encouraged me to look beyond my Navy experience and think of myself as a whole person. The culinary arts have been my passion for years and I have been taking hands-on courses throughout my Navy career. So, I decided to change my plans to seek a job in communications and instead establish a catering and event planning business. Now, I not only provide food and planning for celebrations, meetings, and other events, I also provide the daily meals for the students at a private school in Northern Virginia. Victor Angry I joined the Army at age 18 and served 23 years. After leaving active duty, I accepted a civilian position at the Pentagon handling protocol for the Army National Guard. I was then recruited to represent a major credit union to seek more Army veteran accounts. After three years in this job, I decided to follow my heart and put the leadership skills I learned in the Army to work in the civilian world. The Army taught me how to motivate people and be mission- focused. I started a leadership training business and published a book, Angry Leadership: My Seven Guiding Principles. I also continued my duties as a volunteer firefighter, including handling community relations for the department, and was asked to run for a seat on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors to complete the term of a supervisor, also a veteran, who passed away. I continue to hold leadership seminars and to counsel and advise transitioning service members and veterans. My advice is to find what you’re good at and pursue it. Hold on to your dreams but live for the moment. I love the inscription on a plaque in my office that was given to me by my troops at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, “Wherever I am is where I am supposed to be”. I have had many situations of failed leadership, so I coined the phrase, “Never Personal, Always Professional.” Taking care of soldiers involves the good, the bad and the ugly. We must never forget the good after a bad situation. Kathy Owens, Thurraya Kent, and Victor Angry These are our stories and why we continue to work with our fellow veterans. We remain proud that VDVS not only assists our transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses to find gainful employment and careers here in our Commonwealth but also provides many additional programs such as helping them take advantage of the federal and state financial, medical, educational, and behavioral health benefits they earned through their military service. All Virginians can be proud that Virginia has been named the #1 state in the U.S. for military veterans for two years in a row. As BVS members and as veterans ourselves we plan to do everything we can to assure that Virginia maintains this well-deserved recognition. Kathy Owens of Virginia Beach (kowens@beachdevelopmentgroup. com), Thurraya Kent of Annandale (thurrayakent@gmail.com) , and Victor Angry (vangry@dcvfd.org) are appointed members of the Virginia Board of Veterans Services. For more information, visit www.dvs.virginia.gov/dvs/board-of-veterans-services. Virginia Helps Transitioning Service Members Find Civilian Jobs from page 15 V This Week in Virginia , hosted by Virginia Capitol veteran David Bailey, features discussions with Virginia elected officials, policy makers and other leaders in the Commonwealth. From budget cuts to regulatory affairs, the YouTube program spotlights behind-the-headlines analyses of the most recent news critical to the Commonwealth. This Week in Virginia began its 2020-2021 season in September on YouTube with a new episode each week, covering insider perspectives on the most recent public policy news. For the past three months, guests have included two Presidents of the Voter Registration Association, two cabinet secretaries, seven delegates, Wason Center leadership, and Tazewell County officials to discuss topics ranging from Virginia’s budget to constituent communications. As the season continues, This Week in Virginia is excited to invite public health experts, private and public education leaders, statewide candidates, climate change experts, representatives from Virginia Parks and Recreation, and other leaders in the Commonwealth. Visit our website for more information http://thisweekinvirginia.tv/