TRENTON, N.J., September 16, 2016 – The American Legion, Department of New Jersey today honored the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (LWD) for its continuing efforts to provide New Jersey’s former military personnel with resources to prepare for employment and connect with employers.

Today, Deputy Commissioner Aaron R. Fichtner and Chief of Staff Gary Hasenbalg joined Bob Looby, Chairman of the Employment, Homeless & Education Committee and Past State Commander of the American Legion, Department of New Jersey in presenting awards to LWD staff. Veronica Jones of the Somerset County One-Stop Career Center was presented with the Veterans Business Representative (VBR) of the Year Award and Edwin Morgan of the Gloucester County One-Stop Career Center was presented with the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) of the Year Award.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development works with more than 12,000 veterans per year in its 29 One-Stop Career Centers throughout the state. The department maintains a staff of about 40 veteran representatives, most of whom are former military personnel, who assist veterans in developing resumes that properly communicate their aptitude and skill sets to employers. The representatives also assist veterans with networking skills and match veterans to job openings.

Veterans seeking employment are encouraged to contact the State Veterans Program Coordinator O. Wayne Smith at Ottis.Smith@dol.nj.gov or visit veterans staff at the nearest One-Stop Career Center. More information about the department’s veterans services can be found here.

# # #      

Pictured left to right: Chief of Staff Gary Hasenbalg; O. Wayne Smith, State Veterans Program
Coordinator; Bob Looby, Chairman of the Employment, Homeless & Education Committee,
New Jersey American Legion; Veronica Jones of the Somerset County One-Stop Career Center,
recipient of the VBR of the Year Award; Edwin Morgan of the Gloucester County One-Stop Career
Center, recipient of the DVOP of the Year Award; Catherine Starghill, Executive Director of Workforce
Operations and Business Services; and Deputy Commissioner Aaron Fichtner.

Bob Looby, Chairman of the Employment, Homeless & Education Committee and Past State
Commander  of the American Legion, Department of New Jersey presents the Disabled
Veteran Outreach Program of the Year Award to Edwin Morgan of the Gloucester County
One-Stop Career Center.

Bob Looby, Chairman of the Employment, Homeless & Education Committee and Past
State Commander  of the American Legion, Department of New Jersey presents the
Veterans Business Representative of the Year Award to Veronica Jones of the
Somerset County One-Stop Career Center.