MEAGAN LOBUGLIO, 36 / Virginia Values Veterans Program Manager, SWVA, Virginia Department of Veterans Services
Meagan LoBuglio enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2001, serving four combat tours overseas providing command and control during air operations. As a four-tour post-9/11 combat veteran, she provided tactical air control during one of the heaviest flying days ever during Afghanistan’s legislative elections, and was an Air Force level academic instructor. After moving to Roanoke in 2016, LoBuglio dedicated her time to improving support for the veteran community. As chair for the Southwest Military Spouse Economic Empowerment Zone committee, she advises the United States Chamber of Commerce on actionable steps needed for rural military spouse employment. LoBuglio currently sits on the Roanoke Business Solutions board, working with marginalized groups of Southwest Virginia’s workforce. “There is so much growth and effort taking place in our community’s workforce, labor and economic development areas, I am honored to be a part of it and contribute wherever I can,” she says.
- United States Air Force Command and Controller of the Year, 2010
- Southwest Virginia Women Veteran program advisor
- Vice President of her Home-Owners Association
- Sits on the planning committee for the annual Southwest VA Women’s Veteran luncheon
- Sits on Roanoke City’s 2040 planning team
From the Nomination: “Meagan LoBuglio pushes change with passion, compassion, humor, a lightheartedness and an unwavering vision for rural-Veteran community development. She is not afraid to push for calls-to-action within the civilian-dominated communities of Southwest Virginia on behalf of Veterans and their families. Challenging all who conduct business in the region to build a Veteran and military spouse hiring plan, make a formal commitment to hire Veterans by identifying as a Veteran friendly workplace through V3 certification and consulting on best practices for hiring and retention of the Veteran community. She pushes the communities in Southwest VA to take action beyond Veteran’s Day and seek a genuine understanding of who a Veteran really is.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
LoBuglio: “I love being outside in Roanoke. We live in a beautiful part of the world. I try to not take living here for granted by being outside as much as possible via hiking, biking, attending festivals or just taking a quick stroll on the greenway. I love that Roanoke’s government entities and businesses work together to ensure a high quality of life for the citizens of the Valley.”
