WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Avoka Group is excited to announce the first installment of our new video series Transitions. In Transitions, we explore ways that people of all different backgrounds have made interesting and impactful transitions in their own lives and how we can learn from and be inspired by their stories. By featuring dynamic start-up founders, bold career pivoters, and industry pacesetters, we hope to help our community with their own life and career changes.

Our first episode of Transitions is a conversation with Jordan Foley, CEO and founder of Chow, a nonprofit empowering veterans through the culinary arts. Chow gives veterans the opportunity to own and operate food trucks, bridging the gap between a veteran leaving the service and entering the culinary industry. Foley sat down with The Avoka Group’s CEO Barb White to discuss his experiences launching his own start-up while on active duty, the inspirations behind Chow, and suggestions for employers looking to hire veterans.

“It’s a language issue,” Foley says of connecting employers with transitioning veterans, “So for veterans I would say work on your professional pitch […] and then for an organization, that language will increase within your organization as you hire more veterans.” The keys to meaningful connections, Foley continues, are learning and listening.

The full conversation with Jordan Foley is available for viewing here. A breakdown of topics by timestamp is provided below:

1. Start-ups in the Time of COVID - 6:50

2. Benefits of Entrepreneurism in Families - 13:45

3. Understanding Your Transition Needs - 17:22

4. Exploring New Transition Possibilities - 23:15

5. How Other Countries Manage Military Transitions - 28:35

6. Tips for Employers on Hiring Veterans - 31:35

We thank Jordan Foley and Chow for sharing their stories! To learn more about or support Chow, log onto https://www.letschow.org/ and locate the “Take Action” and “Donate” tabs.

*Jordan Foley serves as Chow's CEO in a personal capacity and his affiliation with Chow or any statements made during this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the US Navy or Department of Defense.