In March 2015. Powell Strategies, LLC completed the Veteran Institute Procurement (VIP), a comprehensive training and certification program that helps veteran-owned businesses strengthen their ability to secure government contracts and do business with both military and civilian agencies they once served in uniform.
Powell Strategies was one of 49 businesses from 12 states and the District of Columbia to graduate from the National Center for the Veteran Institute for Procurement. During the program’s graduation, John P. Williams, Principal at Powell Strategies was presented with a congressional citation on behalf of Congressman Sarbanes. John Williams is an Annapolis resident and retired US Marine with more than 20 years in uniform.
Powell Strategies, a Maryland outreach, communication and strategic studies company, has established itself as a leading provider of communication and outreach strategies, supporting both commercial and federal markets. Powell Strategies’ John Williams; “Along with other work in the national security sector, we are committed to effective strategies to support our Veterans, their families and their survivors. In fact, to date, we have hired only Veterans and military spouses to support the important work of the Department of Veterans Affairs.”
The first program of its kind in the nation, VIP is conducted by professional subject-matter specialists in the essentials necessary to win government contracts: law, accounting, insurance, human resources, marketing and proposals. It also provides participants with access to Federal and prime contracting executives along with a national network of veteran owned small businesses that they can team with on opportunities.
Since its launch in 2009, VIP has helped 446 service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses grow. A survey of 184 of the program’s graduates determined that 2,018 new jobs were created and the size of their businesses increased by an average of 49% within a year of graduating from the Institute. More than 82% of surveyed graduates credited VIP for equipping them to make recent business decisions and avoid unseen pitfalls. Additionally, veteran-owned businesses are more likely to hire, mentor and train other war veterans as they transition to private life, which is a national priority.
“We are honored to give back to the men and women who served our country by providing them with the tools necessary to succeed as government contractors.” said Barbara Ashe, President of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation. “We hope this training fosters their success as businesses and employers.”
VIP is a three-day, 27-hour comprehensive certification program. Participants must be a C-level leader in a Veteran-owned small business operating for at least two years with a minimum of 3 full time employees, and experience working on government contracts as a prime and/or sub-contractor to a prime. With volunteer instructors and at no cost to participants, VIP is fully funded by the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, partners, and VIP sponsors.
For information: info@powell.reingolddev.com, 703-795-9195
For information on VIP: Barbara Ashe, 301-738-0015 x215; bashe@mcccmd.com
For additional information, please visit www.NationalVip.org or the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation.