The Glendale Chamber of Commerce, through the work of its Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, has always been committed to helping create a strong relationship between the local business community and military.

To further these efforts, the Glendale Chamber is unveiling the Military Transition Support Program. The purpose of this program is to connect transitioning servicemembers, veterans and/or military spouses to Glendale Chamber member businesses to:

• Familiarize them with civilian career options.

• Provide informal mentorship, guidance, encouragement and friendship.

• Educate them about differences of civilian vs. military culture.

Servicemembers, veterans and military spouses are invited to attend the chamber’s monthly Business After Hours event where they will be introduced by Military & Veterans Affairs Committee members and share their top three career interests. This opportunity is open to people currently leaving active service and those who’ve previously separated who seek new employment.

Chamber members from industries that align with their interests will be identified. A conversation will be initiated, followed by informal mentoring and a short-term job shadow opportunity. Participants are encouraged to meet over coffee or a meal to get to know one another, specifically exploring the participant’s career aspirations and interests, which we hope will lead to their employment and investment in the Glendale area.

“It is truly an honor to facilitate such an important program,” says Robert Heidt, president and chief executive officer of the Glendale Chamber of Commerce and a U.S. Air Force veteran.

“We are excited to see the impact we can bring to those who served our country so bravely, their families and our employers as we all work to address workforce needs in our community.”

Military & Veterans Affairs Committee member and program leader, U.S. Air Force veteran Kathy Gallowitz, president/chief executive officer of Vanguard Veteran LLC, agrees.

“We are excited to partner with Glendale Chamber members to cultivate civilian veteran champions who come alongside transitioning service members, veterans and their spouses to support their career exploration and assimilation into civilian life.”

Laura Roman, Realtor with Homes for Heroes and program leader, says her organization is committed to providing the highest level of support for veterans and military spouses.

“The military transitioning program aligns perfectly with our mission,” Roman says.

“We believe that every veteran deserves the opportunity to build a successful and fulfilling civilian life, and we are dedicated to helping them achieve that goal.”

The Glendale Chamber of Commerce is a private, nonprofit, membership-driven organization comprised of nearly 1,400 business enterprises, civic organizations, educational institutions and individuals.

Its mission is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for its members and the business community.

Investing in the Glendale community through chamber membership supports a program of work that includes economic development; education and talent development; public policy; transportation and infrastructure; technology; as well as business attraction, retention and expansion.



The Glendale Chamber builds its program of work around the three core principles, an investment in membership brings: business connection, community impact and economic prosperity.

For more information, visit glendaleazchamber.org.