The Veteran’s Business Enterprises® of the Year demonstrate the finest attributes crucial in leading a flourishing business; sustained business growth and success; and an extensive aspiration to cultivate veteran entrepreneurship.
This prestigious honor is bestowed annually to an elite selection of America’s veteran business owners working as supplier partners to NaVOBA’s Corporate Allies.
“The military teaches leadership, teamwork, integrity, resolve and ingenuity. These intangibles are also the most important ingredients for success in running a business.”
- NaVOBA President
Matthew Pavelek
2024 Minority Veteran’s Business of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprise
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. The company has seen significant growth, with a 445% increase in 2022-2023.
Robert served in the Army from 1999 to 2004, earning the rank of Specialist and working as a Construction Engineer (Heavy Equipment Operator). His military achievements include the Army Accommodation Medal.
2024 Minority Veteran’s Business of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprise
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. The company has seen significant growth, with a 445% increase in 2022-2023.
Robert served in the Army from 1999 to 2004, earning the rank of Specialist and working as a Construction Engineer (Heavy Equipment Operator). His military achievements include the Army Accommodation Medal.
2024 Minority Veteran’s Business Enterprise® We Love:
Demond Crump, Founder & CEO of Jewel Sanitary Napkins LLC.
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.
2024 Minority Veteran’s Business Enterprise® We Love: 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.
2024 LGBT Veteran’s Business Enterprise® of the Year
AND 2024 Women's Veteran’s Business Enterprise® We Love :
Kathleen Waters, CEO & Founder of Facilities Partners and Solutions
Kathleen Waters founded Facilities Partners & Solutions in early 2023. FPS stands out for its commitment to creating positive work cultures that encourage teamwork, learning, and growth. With Kathleen’s extensive experience in leading facility management teams and her focus on integrity and authenticity, FPS successfully delivers modern soft services in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, education, and commercial industries.
A U.S. Army veteran, Kathleen served from 1979 to 1984 as a Computer Operator and Training Non-Commissioned Officer, achieving notable distinctions such as authoring an Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP) and graduating with top honors in leadership. Kathleen was able to achieve the rank of Sergeant through her honorable service.
Kathleen is someone who embraces challenges and diversity, and has a strong desire to be the best person she can be every day. FPS’s mission goes beyond just providing services; it's about nurturing individual growth and making a real difference in the community by ensuring every employee feels valued and seen. To Kathleen, this is the root of Facilities Partners Solution’s success.
2024 LGBT Veteran’s Business Enterprise® We Love:
FPS stands out for its commitment to creating positive work cultures that encourage teamwork, learning, and growth. With Kathleen’s extensive experience in leading facility management teams and her focus on integrity and authenticity, FPS successfully delivers modern soft services in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, education, and commercial industries.
A U.S. Army veteran, Kathleen served from 1979 to 1984 as a Computer Operator and Training Non-Commissioned Officer, achieving notable distinctions such as authoring an Army Training and Evaluation Program (ARTEP) and graduating with top honors in leadership. Kathleen was able to achieve the rank of Sergeant through her honorable service.
Kathleen is someone who embraces challenges and diversity, and has a strong desire to be the best person she can be every day. FPS’s mission goes beyond just providing services; it's about nurturing individual growth and making a real difference in the community by ensuring every employee feels valued and seen. To Kathleen, this is the root of Facilities Partners Solution’s success.
2024 Minority Veteran’s Business of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprise
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. The company has seen significant growth, with a 445% increase in 2022-2023.
Robert served in the Army from 1999 to 2004, earning the rank of Specialist and working as a Construction Engineer (Heavy Equipment Operator). His military achievements include the Army Accommodation Medal.
By far, the most pressing issue facing VBEs during COVID was the lack of business opportunities. The resounding theme was clear. Veteran-Owned Businesses were not looking for handouts. Rather, they were looking to keep providing value to their customers and keep their businesses and their employees working.
In order to keep moving ahead, NaVOBA launched Marching Forward Mondays (MFM), an ongoing series of virtual meetings between NaVOBA’s Certified Veteran's Business Enterprises® (VBEs), Service-Disabled Veteran's Business Enterprises® (SDVBEs), and NaVOBA’s Corporate Allies®. These sessions are segmented into two distinct categories: Operation Matchmaker and Corporate Ally Engagement.
"Everything we do is geared to helping veterans compete for contracts with Corporate America."
-Matthew Pavelek, President
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.
