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Job fair attracts Valley veterans
By Kalea Hall
YOUNGSTOWN
Reginald Allen Jr. hopes his military experience will help him in his search for a new job.
“A lot of skills you have from the military help you go into the civilian work force,” said Allen, 47, of Liberty.
Allen attended The Vindicator and Cortland Bank-sponsored Operation Troop Employ 2017 job fair at Stambaugh Auditorium on Tuesday. Thirty employers were at the fair, which focused on veterans by providing them early access to employers and other perks.
“It makes me feel welcome,” Allen said of the fair’s focus on veterans.
After 16 years in the military – both the Navy and Air Force – Allen said he hopes to continue protecting the community as a member of law enforcement.
“It enables the veterans to link up with employers in one location,” said Walt Duzzny, a veteran and public affairs representative for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve or ESGR. “Here, the folks are enthusiastically looking for employees. It gives the potential employer a one-on-one with the potential employee. They see you, and that’s great.”
ESGR, a Department of Defense partnership program that supports the needs of the Reserve and National Guard, presented the “Seven Seals Award” to The Vindicator for putting on the job fair.
“We are grateful The Vindicator stepped up and did this,” Duzzny said.
The Vindicator brought the fair to Stambaugh to give back to the community and help veterans who are trying to enter the civilian workforce after their military service.
“[Employers] were very eager to help veterans find jobs,” Pam Bissell, the newspaper’s classified advertising phone room manager, said.
The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office was one of the employers at the fair. Jeff Duzzny, Walt’s son, served in the military before he was hired as a deputy. Jeff and Deputy Will Harris, also a veteran, were at the fair to recruit new deputies.
“We are here for people who want to continue giving back to the community,” Jeff Duzzny said.
R&J Trucking of Boardman was in search of new drivers at the job fair.
“We advertise for truck drivers all the time,” said Zeke Haddle, driver recruiter and trainer. “It’s hard to find drivers today.”