Veterans Summit Connects Vets With Jobs, Benefits
The inaugural New York Veterans Summit aboard the Intrepid paired veterans with employment programs, labor groups, and support services.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military
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The inaugural New York Veterans Summit was held October 15 aboard the Intrepid in Manhattan, organized by Assemblymembers Landon Dais, Steve Stern, and Kwani B. O'Pharrow. It brought together veterans, elected officials, labor leaders, business representatives, and veterans support organizations.
Why it matters
The summit gave veterans direct access to employment assistance and other services in one setting, focusing on jobs, education, benefits, and the transition to civilian life. Organizers plan to hold the event again, signaling an ongoing effort to connect New York veterans with resources statewide.
The summit featured the Helmets to Hardhats program, which helps veterans pursue construction trade careers. Attendance figures and outcomes for participants were not reported.
The players
Landon Dais
Dais is a Democratic New York State Assemblymember representing the 77th Assembly District in the Bronx.
Steve Stern
Stern is a New York State Assemblymember who co-organized the summit alongside Dais and O'Pharrow.
Gary LaBarbera
LaBarbera is a New York labor leader who has long represented building trades workers across the state.
Max Rose
Rose is a former U.S. Congressman who represented a Staten Island and Brooklyn district and has since focused on veterans issues.
Susan Marenoff-Zausner
Marenoff-Zausner is the chief executive of the Intrepid Museum, the Manhattan military history museum housed aboard the aircraft carrier.
The details
Participants included labor leader Gary LaBarbera, former Congressman Max Rose, New York City Veterans' Services Commissioner Yesenia Mata, and Intrepid Museum CEO Susan Marenoff-Zausner. Participants connected directly with organizations offering employment assistance and other services aboard the historic aircraft carrier.
Timeline
October 15: Inaugural New York Veterans Summit held aboard the Intrepid in Manhattan
October 21, 2027: Summit scheduled to return
Season Trajectory
The summit spotlighted Helmets to Hardhats, a national program that channels veterans into construction careers. Its showcasing at a New York event places a long-running federal-industry partnership in front of state veterans seeking civilian work.
Veterans seeking employment or benefits can use the connections made at this event as a starting point for career placement and benefits enrollment. The summit is scheduled to return on October 21, 2027, offering a future opportunity to attend.
The takeaway
Veterans navigating the transition to civilian life can connect with employment, education, and benefits programs through statewide events like this one. Attending or contacting local veterans services offices can help identify programs suited to individual career goals.
Further reading
For more on veterans' services and military affairs, see Military coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bronx Times.
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