Hire Heroes USA, a national nonprofit organization that empowers U.S. military members, veterans and spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce, hosted its third annual Empowerment Gala on May 8. The event celebrates individuals and partners who have made outstanding contributions to veterans and their spouses in the transition to civilian careers.
“We are proud to recognize this year’s honorees,” said Ross Dickman, CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “Their achievements reflect the resilience of the veteran community and inspire us all. Together, we celebrate our mission to empower veterans and their families for success in civilian life.”
The Empowerment Gala recognized outstanding partners and individuals including Verda Smith of Jacksonville, who was named Military Spouse of the Year.
Smith is a dedicated health care professional with more than a decade of experience as a physician assistant in family medicine, primary care and occupational medicine, embodying resilience and determination.
After the sudden loss of her veteran husband in 2023, Smith displayed extraordinary strength by navigating her grief while pursuing her career aspirations. Through unwavering commitment and a steadfast belief in her abilities, she secured her dream role, where she assesses service members in the medical board separation process.
Hire Heroes USA offers free, personalized one-on-one coaching, resume assistance, interview preparation and mentoring to military members, veterans and military spouses.
The organization maintains a job board, hosts virtual career fairs and works directly with employers to secure job placements for clients. Hire Heroes has facilitated more than 95,000 confirmed hires since the organization was founded in 2005, including nearly 14,000 job placements in 2024.
For more information, go to hireheroesusa.org.
