In just his first year of service, TVC Rural Veteran Career Advisor Theo Bell got 22 of 23 veterans he was intensively working with to participate in personal employment plans. He finished the year with a 100% employment outcome rate, exceeding the standard rate by 30%. Further, he connected with 61 employers in his efforts to get veterans hired. This included informing employers of the benefits of hiring veterans such as tax credits as well as great employee skills and attitude.
In building partnerships and community relationships, Bell, an Army National Guard veteran, worked with his fellow Veteran Career Advisors (VCAs) in the area to serve justice involved veterans. He has presented information on TVC Employment Services as well as the other programs of the agency to community groups such as Vietnam Veterans of America in Northeast Texas. Bell meets regularly with the Texarkana Community Veterans Engagement Board. Most recently in December 2023, he participated in the Change Happens Health Care Information Fair in in the Texarkana region.
His outstanding performance along with his spirit of teamwork and building community connections and collaborations performed in just his first year of service at TVC earned Bell the TVC Rock Star Rookie Award.
Congratulations Theo!
Presenting Bell with his award are from left: Curtis Chalupa, Veterans Employment Services North District Manager and Army veteran; Charlie Catoe, TVC Operations Director and Air Force veteran; Theo Bell, Rural Veterans Career Advisor and Army National Guard veteran; Anna Baker, Veterans Employment Services Director and Air Force veteran; and Daniel Clark Veterans Employment Services North District and Navy veteran.
Veterans throughout Texas can find the TVC Veteran Employment Services team in 90 locations across state including 70 American Job Centers. Find your local office.