About 70 leaders gathered at Nashville State Community College on October 13 to compare what is working across Tennessee and identify practical ways to help veterans, military spouses, and families thrive.
The Military Thriving® Tennessee Regional Forum put local experience at the center of a statewide conversation. Across employment, education, entrepreneurship, health, and community connection, speakers focused on how existing strengths could become easier to access and build upon.
The forum’s readout captures eight recommendations for a white paper intended to inform Tennessee’s incoming 2027 administration. Four themes show where that work is headed.
Make support easier to find
Tennessee has organizations serving veterans and families across the state. Speakers called for stronger personal referrals and a staffed navigation network to help people find the right support.
Chris Lancia, Arlie Haddix, Dr. Tina Atherall, and Adam Pritchard emphasized coordination among providers. The discussion also highlighted rural access, including Operation Stand Down Tennessee’s use of mobile offices to reach additional counties.
Connect careers to the whole family
The employment conversation looked at whether civilian work fits a veteran’s skills and goals, and how employers can help people stay and grow.
Speakers discussed connecting short-term credentials to employer needs and expanding pathways into manufacturing. Josh Burch of The Honor Foundation and Kevin Schmiegel also emphasized intentional military spouse hiring. A family’s opportunity to build a life in Tennessee includes both partners’ careers.
Help veteran-owned businesses grow
The entrepreneurship discussion brought capital readiness, coaching, and business succession into focus.
Sandy Cordell of UT Chattanooga, Dean Wegner, and Blake Hogan raised ideas including a statewide network of veteran mentors, stronger lender connections, and support for buying established businesses as owners retire. Speakers also discussed better ways to count veteran-owned firms and create opportunities through state purchasing.
Turn recommendations into measurable progress
The forum called for clear measures of progress, including career fit, veteran-owned businesses, and opportunities for dual-income military families. Discussion also explored how a more coordinated defense technology corridor could connect Tennessee’s assets with companies and veteran talent.
The next step is to bring participant feedback and these recommendations into a white paper with practical actions for the next administration. Decisions about ownership, cost, and implementation remain part of that work.
The Tennessee planning team included Eden Murrie, Ed Magee, Chris Lancia, Matt Watkins, and Jon Russo, working alongside ZeroMils. CVS Health served as presenting partner.
Nashville provided a place to listen, compare experience, and identify what comes next. The work now is to carry those local insights into opportunities that reach military-connected families across Tennessee.