Veteran-Owned Business Conference Planned

The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a conference specifically for veterans and veteran-owned businesses. This event, to be held on Thursday, May 8, has one primary purpose to inform veterans of the advantages available to their businesses in the federal contracting arena and the resources to help them succeed in this market.

The event will be held at the new West Virginia High Technology Consortium research facility in Fairmont, just off Interstate 79 at Exit 132. The program will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. The agenda will include speakers and panelists from government, industry and non-profit organizations. Representatives of the Veterans Administration, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Department of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Public Debt will be among the federal presenters.

Prime contractors and resource organizations will also be in attendance to provide information and assistance, including EG&G, West Virginia University Research Corporation, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center, WVHTC Foundation INNOVA Program, Pierpont Community & Technical College and others. The agenda will also include financial, certification and business development assistance available through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Craig Hartzell, President of Azimuth, Inc., a company with locations in Fairmont and Morgantown, will be present to speak with veterans about what it takes to succeed in the federal contracting environment. Incorporated in 1988, the company's founders, Hartzell and Vice President Adam Macias, met while serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces. This close relationship provided a cornerstone principle in Azimuth's corporate philosophy of excellence through teamwork.

"There are so many more resources available to veteran-owned businesses than when we formed Azimuth 25 years ago," Hartzell said. "I'm pleased to be part of this conference so we can get the word out to veterans who have already formed their business or those who are thinking about doing so."

To learn more about the conference, you may call the Center for Workforce Education at Pierpont Community & Technical College, (304) 367-4920, or you may register online at: http://www.wvsto.com/fairmontcms/default.aspx?ClassLink=524.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register. This program is offered at no cost as a service to veterans and their employees, and is open to the public. Special arrangements for the handicapped can be made in advance by contacting the number listed above.