HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – From August 26-29, twenty-two active-duty military, transitioning veterans, and spouses from across the country traveled to Huntsville for the 2025 NextOp Fly-In, an immersive, all-expenses-paid program connecting military talent with leading employers and civic leaders in North Alabama.
Hosted by NextOp, in partnership with Innovate Alabama and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation, the Fly-In showcased Huntsville as a premier destination for veterans and families to build meaningful civilian careers and vibrant lives.
“Supporting the NextOp Fly-In allows us to connect talented individuals with opportunities to grow their careers — and their roots — right here in Alabama,” says Shannon Allen, Innovate Alabama executive director of talent development. “Programs like this strengthen our innovation ecosystem by ensuring the state attracts and retains the skilled workforce needed to drive Alabama’s growth and innovation forward.”
Over three days, participants toured major employers such as SCI Technology Inc. and Integration Innovation Inc. (i3), explored Cummings Research Park, attended a Rocket City Trash Pandas game, and engaged in educational sessions on higher education access, workforce pathways and veteran support resources. A dedicated Spouse Track highlighted lifestyle opportunities and career readiness for military spouses.
Shelby Mounts, executive director of NextOp, says, “At NextOp, we understand the valuable skills, leadership and discipline that military veterans bring to employers. Our purpose here is to create outstanding opportunities by providing a bridge between that valuable talent and welcoming communities with a great quality of life, like Huntsville.”
The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation, in partnership with NextOp and Innovate Alabama, is working to attract the critical skills of transitioning service members to meet the evolving workforce needs of Huntsville-area employers. This collaboration provides an opportunity to showcase the unique strengths of Huntsville and Alabama — from a high quality of life to well-aligned career pathways. The Chamber Foundation aims to create a welcoming environment for service members and encourages them to share their experience with peers still on base, helping to build a sustained pipeline of military talent into the region.
“Huntsville is a smart place for military-connected talent, thanks to our legacy of innovation and our thriving industries that continue to solve some of the nation’s most pressing challenges,” said Lyndsay Ferguson, executive director, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation. “Attracting transitioning service members to our community is a win for both our employers and the veterans themselves. These men and women have given so much, and we are proud to offer them a city and a career path that honors their skills, values their commitment and welcomes them home.”
Panel discussions featured community leaders, employers and veterans who have successfully transitioned into Huntsville’s workforce. Sponsors included 106 Jefferson, Barnes-Cantrell Mortgage Group, Huntsville International Airport, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation, Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, IronMountain Solutions, Mark Harris Builders, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Rebecca Lowrey Realty, SCI Technology and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Participating employers included:
APT Research, Boeing, Blue Origin, Huntsville Utilities, Huntsville Hospital System, i3, IronMountain Solutions, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, SAIC, SCI Technology, Science and Engineering Services (SES), Teledyne Brown Engineering, Torch Technologies, Phoenix and Polaris.
About NextOp:
NextOp assists enlisted veterans in their transition from military service to civilian careers. Through a unique workforce development program and wide-ranging resources, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization provides enlisted veterans with the necessary tools, training and support to thrive. Headquartered in Houston and with operations in New Orleans, Dallas-Fort Worth, Memphis and Huntsville, NextOp tailors services to meet the specific needs and foster the professional growth of each individual candidate. For more information, visit https://nextopvets.org.
https://nextopvets.org/