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VA Honors, Promotes Veteran Business

June 27, 2007

WASHINGTON – Veterans who have started their own businesses will be among award winners when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) joins other federal agencies and contractors at a small-business conference in Las Vegas for veterans June 25-28.

“VA is proud to be among the co-sponsors of this largest national event to promote business for veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson. “The information exchange it will create helps VA meet one of its goals -- to enhance the economic well-being of veterans and, thereby, their communities.”

VA’s Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) also will recognize groups and individuals who have helped expand opportunities for veterans and service-disabled veterans. Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield will present awards today.

Under presidential and congressional mandates to contract with service-disabled veterans, VA’s CVE, the Army’s Office of Small Business and 11 other federal agencies are co-sponsoring this annual gathering of veterans interested in business ownership.

Scott Denniston, director of VA’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and CVE, will be among presenters telling prospective entrepreneurs how to win contracts from federal agencies. “This conference is a concerted effort to reach out and offer the support and exposure that veterans deserve,” said Denniston.

More than 90 experts will discuss issues facing veterans who seek business in the public sector. The veterans will be able to showcase their businesses and hold face-to-face meetings with government purchasing specialists.

All federal agencies have a performance goal of spending at least 3 percent of their prime contract funds with businesses owned by veterans with service-related disabilities, but VA is the only cabinet-level agency that has met the goal.

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Larry Scott

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