The Centurion Military Alliance (CMA) honored TVC Veteran Employment Services (VES) South Texas District Outreach Coordinator and Army veteran Laurie Pimentel-Johnson with the CMA Legacy Award. Presented to her on July 26, 2024, the award recognized Pimentel-Johnson effectiveness and success in assisting service members to transition to civilian life.
“The CMA Legacy Award is reserved in high esteem, to recognize and honor community leaders from across the country, who have demonstrated great effort, drive, and determination in supporting Centurion Military Alliance and its mission, Empowering Our Nation’s Honorable Warriors,” said Pimentel-Johnson.
CMA offers a community-based sponsor program “Empowering you to complete your next assignment – your successful transition from service.”
Pimentel-Johnson has benefited from CMA herself.
“In January 2014, I was an unemployed veteran seeking employment. I attended a CMA Warrior Workshop in San Antonio,” she said. “That set me on a path which led me back to school and eventually becoming a work-study for TVC-VES Family Career Advisor Mr. Patrick Driscoll in San Antonio. “After a few attempts, three actually, at applying for a permanent position with TVC, I was eventually selected. I am now celebrating my 10th year with TVC! None of this would have been possible if I hadn’t attended the CMA event in January 2014.”
Pimentel-Johnson shares her story of not being selected on her first try at employment with job seekers to encourage them to continue applying to a company they are targeting; even if they do not get selected on their first or second attempt.
“If I had quit trying to apply to TVC after the first or second decline, I would not be where I am today.”
As for earning the CMA award, she stated “It is special and personal for me to be able to pay it forward in our mission.”
Congratulations Laurie!
