Melissa Anthony Sinn Honored as Austin Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Volunteer of the Year

The Austin Chamber of Commerce is honoring Melissa Anthony Sinn, founder and CEO of anthonyBarnum Public Relations, as their 2014 Talent Volunteer of the Year. Sinn is being recognized for architecting a coalition between the Austin Chamber and Fort Hood’s leadership for the creation of “Operation Austin,” an initiative designed to address the region’s talent gaps by connecting area veterans with Austin’s high-growth employers.

“Melissa truly exemplifies the highest civic volunteer talent leadership in Central Texas,” said Phyllis Snodgrass, chief operating officer, Austin Chamber of Commerce. “Melissa has a deep passion for helping returning veterans find work, and as a small business owner who employees a veteran, she serves as a role model for the importance of community service and how one person can make a difference for the better good.”

Operation Austin is a first-of-its-kind partnership designed to bridge critical talent gaps in Central Texas and position Austin as one of the nation’s leaders for recruiting veterans. Through the coalition, Fort Hood and the Austin Chamber are developing new programs to connect Austin businesses with veteran talent, providing consolidated labor market research on Central Texas jobs and resources, and creating an Austin startup accelerator advisor team for veterans interested in becoming entrepreneurs.

“My father and husband are both veterans, along with many friends and colleagues in business. This initiative was inspired by them. When you know a soldier, you know the depth of their selfless commitment, not only to our country, but to one another,” said Sinn. “Working with the garrison leadership at Fort Hood – many highly decorated men and women – has been a privilege. I look forward to seeing Operation Austin unfold. We can impact our region’s talent gaps, while also ushering in a great generation of veterans into our workforce.”

Sinn will be honored at the Chamber's 137th Annual Meeting on Jan. 28, 2015.

Operation Austin will launch its first job fair at Fort Hood on Feb. 26, which is slated to host 1,000 job candidates and at least 50 employers. Individuals can sign up for the effort through AustinChamber.com/FortHood. The region had an estimated 110,600 veterans in the Austin metro area by 2010, a number that’s expected to increase 12 percent by 2040, according a chamber study.

About anthonyBarnum Public Relations

Founded in 2007, anthonyBarnum PR tailors and executes public relations and marketing communications strategies for leading organizations based in Texas and throughout the U.S. The firm’s diverse clients include emerging and high-growth technology, energy, commercial real estate and professional services firms.

About the Austin Chamber

The mission of the Austin Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership that facilitates the creation of a prosperous regional economy and effective advocacy for its 3,000+ members. For more information about the Austin Chamber of Commerce visit AustinChamber.com.