Industrial Talk is chatting with Lt. Col. (Ret) Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz, Founder and CEO at Vanguard Veteran, LLC about “Why and How to Build a Veteran Talent Strategy”.  The following is a summary of our conversation:












Veteran talent strategies with retired Lieutenant Colonel Cathy Galloway. 0:03

Veteran talent strategist Kathy Gallowitz helps companies integrate skilled and dedicated veterans into their workforce.
Scott MacKenzie invites listeners to join Industrial Talk to amplify their voice and solve industry problems.


Supporting veterans and their families. 4:25

Kathy Galloway shares her personal experience growing up as a Navy brat and how it shaped her perspective on the military and civilian cultures.
Kathy is passionate about supporting veterans and aims to start a podcast to connect with them and offer opportunities for growth.
Speaker shares their passion for veterans after moving and realizing experiences were different, leading to outreach program to educate and support troops and their families.


Veteran transition to civilian life and career development. 9:16

Veteran shares story of starting a hiring program for fellow veterans, finding purpose in helping others transition.
Scott MacKenzie discusses the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, including identity loss and adapting to new roles and responsibilities.
Speaker highlights the importance of self-discovery and personal development in finding the right career fit, even for those who have never joined the military.


Military transition and connection challenges. 14:08

Kathy describes the difficulty of adjusting to civilian life after military service, particularly the loss of camaraderie.
Kathy mentions the overwhelming complexity of everyday tasks in America, such as the variety of ketchup and cereal options in grocery stores.
Kathy discusses the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, including the importance of building connections with fellow veterans to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The DoD Skill Bridge program offers a unique solution by allowing service members to gain work experience in a civilian setting before leaving the military, with the approval of their commander.


Connecting veterans with job opportunities. 18:36

Organization connects veterans with employers, helping them become "veteran ready" and retain talent.
Speaker identifies various sources of veteran talent for employers, including service-specific programs and nonprofits.


Hiring veterans for their skills and work ethic. 22:58

Kathy offers guidance on hiring veterans, including using a military skills translator and leveraging their skills.
Kathy highlights the benefits of hiring veterans, including their operational focus, mission focus, and technical aptitudes.
Scott MacKenzie is interested in understanding why it's important for him to hire veterans and what benefits it brings to his organization....