DOT office connects service-disabled Vetrepreneurs with opportunities

Yesterday, Brandon Neal Director of our Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) hosted a Vendor Day focused on procurement opportunities. In keeping with the Obama Administration's efforts to create more opportunities in federal service for veterans, yesterday's events emphasized Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

Approximately 500 small business owners joined Deputy Secretary John Porcari, Director Neal, US Rep. Patrick Murphy (PA), and Matt Flavin, Director of the White House Office of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy.

 

Vendor Day events provided opportunities for service-disabled "vetrepreneurs" to learn about doing business with DOT. As Director Neal observed:

“OSDBU is very excited to host an event focused on helping veteran owned small businesses. DOT is committed to helping all small businesses, especially veterans to whom we owe so much. We hope this event will highlight the many opportunities for small businesses within DOT.”

Brandon is absolutely correct; we do owe these service-disabled veterans much. And I'm proud to see his office working off some of that debt.

Comments

[Car Rental LAX]

I think Brandon Neal made his view certainly clear in his speech.

[Albert]

Our firm actually works with a couple of owned small businesses.
These veterans to whom we owe so much to actually were introduced to us via a the DOT database. We really hope other companies would use DOT's database to work with veterans who have served our country and protected our nation over the years.

[Marlene Mahoney]

Does EBay count?

[David Miller, Senior Vice President, Global Policy and Economic Sustainability for Con-way Inc.]

I found this to be a very encouraging story. We have made efforts at Con-way to also support separating military as they reintegrate back into the work force, as well as extra efforts to support our Guard and Reserve employees – and their families – during deployment. Our company has found that these valued members of society have gained equally valuable skills from service to their country – skills and experience unique to their role as soldiers and members of our elite fighting forces. They are excellent employees who are used to working in the most arduous of conditions, have natural leadership abilities and understand the value of teamwork. They deserve our respect and admiration for their sacrifices.