Walter Wilson, the 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year celebrated at the NGLCC, is an individual who consistently pushes boundaries and seeks a deeper understanding of interconnectedness in our divisive era. Raised amidst the vast landscapes of Wyoming & Colorado, Walter's early experiences of flight exposed him to the world's complexities, sparking a lifelong pursuit of growth, learning, and discovery. His distinguished service as an Air Force Officer involved navigating cyber policy, ethics, and leadership roles, shaping young Airmen's lives. As a CEO and entrepreneur, Walter's forward-thinking approach coupled with intensive research led him to earn a doctorate in ethics and theology. His leadership roles across organizations like the US Air Force, the Navigators, and the American Cancer Society have solidified his expertise in diverse fields ranging from cyber policy and theology to healthcare and business. As a veteran, Walter's insights into belonging, emerging generational trends, and the future of work are unparalleled. Committed to ongoing exploration and growth, Walter is passionate about forging a community to venture "beyond" collectively, further enriching our understanding of the world.
NaVOBA Celebrate 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year
Who is the 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year?
The 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year recipient has been announced! On August 16th NaVOBA held the event to present the award to the LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year (VBEOY) at the 2023 National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Conference in Denver, Colorado. The event, sponsored by Capital One, was held at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
In partnership with Capital One, NaVOBA's award ceremony & mixer, attended by corporate sponsors, diversity allies, and other veteran business owners was a platform to celebrate several businesses for their achievements and contributions to the veteran business community.
“Capital One is on a mission to change banking for good by highlighting and elevating diverse-owned businesses in our supply chain. We know that diverse representation often leads to more innovative and inclusive solutions for our customers and associates,” said Clint Grimes, Chief Procurement Officer, Capital One. “We are very proud to return as sponsors of the LGBTQ Veteran’s Business Enterprise® of the Year for 2023 and spotlight the success of the National Veteran Owned Business Association entrepreneurs.”
Nancy Conner, NaVOBA's Director of Certification, opened the event with remarks, "Tonight will be a special celebration of Veterans who've taken the skills and attributes they've learned in military service and paired them with passion, talent, and hard work to become successful entrepreneurs."
Keynote speakers included Clint Grimes, Senior Vice President, Chief Procurement Officer of Capital One, Allison Kube & Johanna Flecher, and the 2023 VBEOY Recipients.
Learn more about the recognized businesses and the award recipients below.
Notable Awards presented include:
- 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise Champion - Awarded to Brian Auden, Founder & CEO of Superbeo & 2023 Service Disabled Veteran's Business Enterprise We Love.
- 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise We Love - Awarded to Timothy M. Jones, Founder & CEO of Colorful Voices
- 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise We Love - Awarded to Wen Stenger, President & Founder of Omni Inclusive
- 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year - Awarded to Walter Wilson, CEO of Vertiklë Enterprises, LLC
About Walter, CEO of Vertiklë Enterprises, 2023 LGBTQ+ Veteran's Business Enterprise® of the Year
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Our Mission
NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises® (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
