SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED
Veterans honored by arsenal partnership for entrepreneurial efforts
WATERVLIET, N.Y. » The Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership, service provider for the U.S. Small Business Administration Veterans Business Outreach Center, awarded veteran entrepreneurs for their business success, commitment and dedication to the community Wednesday during its August veteran business networking event at The Rusty Anchor Waterfront Bar & Grill.
Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Outstanding Community Service and Leadership in Veteran Business Development awards were presented, and RoAnn Destito, commissioner of the state Office of General Services, accepted special recognition on behalf of Gov. Andrew Cuomo for his administration’s leadership in expanding par- ticipation of service disabled veteran-owned businesses in NewYork State procurement opportunities.
“This celebration is such a great example of how the work we do at the partnership and the Veterans Business OutreachCenter helps veterans realize their goals and ambitions,” said Peter Gannon, president of the partnership. “We really wanted to commend these American heroes, recognize and showcase their businesses as examples for other veterans of what is possible and how VBOC and the Arsenal Partnership can help.”
Award winners included:
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards
• Robert Duff, a graduate of the Boots to Business program, started a salt therapy spa, The Salt Den, in Latham after having seen similar businesses in other countries during his deployments with the U.S. Naval Reserve.
• Anthony Guadagnino, active in both the U.S. Army and the New York Army National Guard, turned his passion for woodworking into Veteran Made Woodworks in Melrose, where he manufactures American flag wood plaque sand other wood carvings.
Outstanding Community Service Award
• Emil Baker, a disabled VietnamVeteran and former Army Reservist, founded and operates the Big Moose Deli & Country Store in Hoosick Falls.
Leadership in Veteran Business Development Award
• Amy Amoroso, director of the Veteran’s Business and Outreach Center NY/NJ, works with and trains veterans in business development across New York state and New Jersey, working with each of the other award recipients to help make their dreams a reality.
The partnership hosts monthly networking events for veterans to connect with other veterans looking to start or expand a business, to network and help one another in their new ventures. Wednesday’s networking and awards event was sponsored by the Capital Region chapter of the Unified Military Affairs Council, Innovate 518 The Wagoner Firm and the Troy Innovation Garage.
The Arsenal Business& Technology Partnership was created in 1999 by government, business and educational leaders to assure the longterm sustainability of the Watervliet Arsenal in the regional economy. The partnership has successfully developed close to 300,000 square feet of previously underutilized space on the 143-acre arsenal site and was named by the U.S. Army as the site’s exclusive economic developer. The Veterans Business Outreach Center was organized in 2014 through the partnership and the Michael R. McNulty Center for Veteran Entrepreneurial Activity as are source center for entrepreneurially minded veterans have a home and resource center at the Arsenal Business & Technology Partnership.
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