NEWS

On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .

Jewel Sanitary Napkins LLC

Swain Enterprises LLC

SickFit

The 2024 LGBT Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year recipient has been announced! On the last day of July. NaVOBA held their Awards Ceremony at the 2024 National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Conference in Palm Springs to present the award to the 2024 LGBT Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year (VBEOY). The event was generously sponsored by Capital One and held at the Palm Springs Convention Center. NaVOBA's award ceremony & mixer was attended by corporate sponsors, diversity allies, and other veteran business owners to celebrate several businesses for their achievements and contributions to the veteran business community. NaVOBA celebrated the guest of honor, President & CEO of Facilities Partners & Solutions, LLC, Kathleen Waters. She remarked, "The two things I embrace when people discuss diverse buckets are being a Veteran and being LGBTQ+. I am so very proud of these two indicators and being able to have a platform with my business and being involved with both the NJ Veteran Chamber and the NJ Pride Chamber to strengthen our voices for doing business with diverse companies. I am open with our staff concerning our culture within the ranks - that being of respect and support for all. It is truly a value woven into my daily interactions in the business and my personal life. Providing a working environment where people are safe and feel safe is at the root of our success. In the first year of business, FPS has only had one employee turnover out of the 45+ employees we have - that is a testament to our walking the walk." After Kathleen's acceptance speech, we gave an exclusive invite to our Joint Forces Forum event in October. It didn't stop there. In attendance for the event was the C-suite from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). President and CEO Pamela Prince-Eason announced that Kathleen would receive certification as a women's owned business. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Vice President of Corporate Relations & Chief Development Officer, opened up the event and awarded two people who have gone above and beyond for the veteran community. Justin Nelson , the Co-Founder & President of NGLCC, was presented with the 2024 Alliance Excellence Award. Kevin Moedt, Digital Sales Manager from Townsquare Ignite, sits on NaVOBA's Marketing Committee. He was announced as NaVOBA's 2024 Community Champion for all the work he has done. "It's important to recognize those who volunteered to serve our nation in the military. Not only have they served our nation honorably, they have taken those skills and attributes they’ve learned in military service and paired them with passion, talent and hard work to become successful entrepreneurs," Mimi remarked. Reuben Essandoh , Capital One's Director of Supplier Diversity and Procurement & Enterprise Supplier Management (ESM) did the honors of presenting the awards. There were two recipients of the 2024 LGBT Veteran’s Business Enterprise® We Love. Brian Auden, CEO of Superbeo remarked "At Superbeo, we are incredibly proud of our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and excellence, which we believe makes us deserving of the 2024 LGBT Veteran’s Business Enterprise® of the Year award. As a veteran-led company, we actively recruit and support LGBTQ+ veterans, and underrepresented communities, creating a safe and innovative workplace. Our tailored staffing solutions provide top-tier talent both locally and globally, and our effective retention strategies ensure fair compensation and comprehensive benefits for all employees. Our white glove service approach and community engagement initiatives set us apart as industry leaders. With a proven track record of delivering significant cost savings and maintaining high service standards, we are confident in our qualifications for this prestigious recognition." Katheryne Womack, Principal Consultant at WSI Digital Marketing remarked, "My dedication to empowering businesses and giving back aligns perfectly with NaVOBA's Veteran's Business Enterprises® of the Year Award. My story exemplifies veteran strength. After nearly 20 years serving in the military's intelligence community, I transitioned to entrepreneurship in 2022. Thriving Business, Strategic Approach WSI stands out with a unique approach, prioritizing long-term strategic marketing plans over short-sighted tactics. They equip small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with long-term growth tools and data-driven processes. A thriving veteran-owned business with a deep focus on community, WSI empowers businesses through their innovative, strategy-first approach." This event was one for the books. The energy and camraderie in the room was tangible. Thank you to our sponsors, allies, and partners. As always, thank you to our VBEs who make events like these happen.

Facilities Partners & Solutions LLC (FPS) is a company exemplifying diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the facility management sector. Led by Kathleen Waters, a seasoned expert with over two decades in the industry, FPS is redefining the workspace by valuing and uplifting its diverse workforce. Learn more about FPS in this week's VBE Spotlight

Superbeo, established by Brian Auden, is passionately devoted to maximizing diversity and inclusivity opportunities for both candidates and clients. Built on the principle of equitable access for everyone, Superbeo identifies the best talent by considering their intrinsic values, experiences, and skills. They offer immediate job openings for candidates, efficient staffing solutions for clients, and maintain 24/7 support, ensuring real-time assistance for all stakeholders.

WSI Digital Marketing

BodyAqua LLC