HAMPTON ROADS — William & Mary’s Office of Military & Veterans Affairs was among those recognized by the Hampton Roads Workforce Council at its annual Workforce Innovation Awards on Oct. 9 at Rivers Casino Portsmouth.
The awards recognize industry, nonprofit and education stakeholders for their contributions to the regional workforce.
The evening, hosted by WTKR News 3’s Anthony Sabella, featured remarks from Johnny Garcia, Board Chair, Hampton Roads Workforce Council; Delceno Miles, Board Chair, Hampton Roads Workforce Foundation; and Melissa Ramsey, Director of Community Relations, Rivers Casino Portsmouth.
Recipients of the 2025 Workforce Innovation Awards included Q.E.D. Systems Center for Training and Development, United Way of South Hampton Roads THRIVE Program, Corey McCray, President, Paul D. Camp Community College, Old Dominion University Monarch Internship & Co-Op Office, HII Mission Technologies, William & Mary Office of Military & Veterans Affairs, and Mayor Jimmy Gray, City of Hampton.
Accepting the award on behalf of William & Mary was Kathleen Jabs, Special Assistant for Military and Veteran Affairs at the university.
“The Military & Veteran Affairs team was honored to receive the Workforce Innovation Award. We have been actively working with regional partners and military commands to develop talent pipelines and support the growing maritime industrial base efforts around Hampton Roads. William & Mary students have answered the call of service since our nation’s founding, and we’re proud to continue the tradition of leading efforts to strengthen and serve the country,” Jabs said.
In addition, Shawn Avery, President and CEO of the Workforce Council, shared the organization’s accomplishments over the 2024-25 Program Year — highlighting workforce and economic development programs and services provided through Virginia Career Works Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Center, and initiatives that support talent recruitment in the maritime and healthcare industries.
“This has been another transformational year for the Workforce Council, and we are proud of the momentum driving our recruitment and training initiatives — addressing the most urgent needs of in-demand industries,” said Shawn Avery, President and CEO, Hampton Roads Workforce Council. “The Workforce Innovation Awards allow us to celebrate our accomplishments while honoring the many dedicated workforce development stakeholders who share our commitment to building a strong talent pipeline and a vibrant regional economy.”
To date, the council said more than 4,000 job seekers have earned industry-recognized credentials through the Hampton Roads Maritime Training System, and the Hampton Roads Partnership for Health Sciences — the Workforce Council’s most recent training initiative — has established more than 50 meaningful partnerships with employers and organizations in the healthcare space.
For more information or to view the complete 2025 Annual Snapshot, visit theworkforcecouncil.org.