New Mexico Hosts Annual Heroes Hiring Heroes Events for Veterans

The statewide job fairs connect veterans, military families, and the public with employers across various industries.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:04pm

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The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions kicked off its 11th annual Heroes Hiring Heroes event in Las Cruces, the first of several hiring events taking place throughout the state in April. The events aim to connect veterans, transitioning service members, military families, and the general public with employers from industries like security, construction, healthcare, and government. Organizers offer resume assistance and individualized employment planning to help veterans find job opportunities that match their skills.

Why it matters

These hiring events are an important resource for veterans and military families in New Mexico, helping them transition to civilian careers and utilize the valuable leadership, adaptability, and work ethic they developed during their service. The events also benefit employers by providing access to a talented pool of veteran candidates.

The details

The Heroes Hiring Heroes events will take place in multiple cities across New Mexico throughout April, including Farmington, Alamogordo, Roswell, and Albuquerque in addition to Las Cruces. Participating organizations and employers range from state agencies like New Mexico State Parks to private companies in fields like security, construction, and healthcare. Attendees can receive resume assistance and connect directly with potential employers.

  • The first Heroes Hiring Heroes event kicked off on April 2, 2026 in Las Cruces.
  • The Farmington event is scheduled for April 9, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The players

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

The state agency that organizes the annual Heroes Hiring Heroes events to connect veterans and the public with employers.

American Legion

The veterans service organization that co-hosts the Heroes Hiring Heroes events with the Department of Workforce Solutions.

Brent Jones

A U.S. Army veteran who attended the Las Cruces event looking for a job with more consistent hours to allow him to spend more time coaching youth sports.

Albert Schimmel

The State Veterans Coordinator who oversees the Heroes Hiring Heroes program and expects to see 60-70 attendees at each location this month.

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What they’re saying

“Veterans have the skill sets that businesses tell us are the most important, like leadership, adaptability, and strong work ethic. The Heroes Hiring Heroes events create a direct pathway to connect those strengths with employers who are ready to hire and invest in our workforce.”

— Sarita Nair, Department of Workforce Solutions Secretary

“Outreach is the most important thing. You figure out most of these jobs don't even open until you talk to people.”

— Brent Jones, U.S. Army Veteran

“It's intensive case management. Our job is to have all the resources ... have a bag of tricks and figure out which ones you need to become successful.”

— Albert Schimmel, State Veterans Coordinator

What’s next

The Heroes Hiring Heroes events will continue throughout April, with the next one scheduled for April 9 in Farmington. Organizers plan to expand the program to include more dates in the coming years to reach more veterans and job seekers.

The takeaway

The Heroes Hiring Heroes events demonstrate New Mexico's commitment to supporting its veteran population by providing them with direct connections to employers who value the unique skills and experiences they gained during their military service. These events are a valuable resource for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.