Opportunities for veterans can appear few and far between. Hoping to change the entrepreneurial, educational, and economic landscape for veterans in West Virginia are two decorated military servants.
Host, Jim Matuga, sat down with Frank Vitale, President and CEO of Forge Business Solutions, and James McCormick, Executive Director of Vets4VetLeadership.
Forge is a Certified Veteran Business Enterprise that focuses on strategic planning and execution designed to help organizations and businesses find success, growth, and partnership. With particular expertise in education, healthcare, and government services, Forge uses its knowledge and experience to improve enterprises of all sizes and sectors.
“Access to the community of technical college system is critical when [veterans] get back to civilian life,” said Vitale. “I think that may be the most important for veterans, even more so than higher education.”
Vets4Vet Leadership is devoted to strengthening the Veteran voice in the Halls of Congress to ensure the principles of American Strength, Security and Respect continue to be the guide our nation’s policy and actions.
“The military is a viable option. It should not be the last resort, but one of the top three things you look at,” said McCormick. “There is a sense of commitment to the country [for enlistees] and become officers. They are learning about true values, true leadership, and selfless service.”
In 2020, 581,000 veterans were without work in the United States. While this may be the result of any number of factors, the panelists agreed that the quality of man or woman who honorably fulfills their service to the military, their technical skills, and competency often set them apart from the pack.
“If more people served and then entered into the business world or a political office,” McCormick continued, “our country would be in a lot better shape than it is now.”
To follow the panelists’ stories and to get a better glimpse of each company, visit www.forgebz.com and www.vets4vetleadership.org.