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Gary Slyman

Gary Slyman

Gary Slyman

Project Opportunity Instructor

Lead Instructor for Baltimore City.

Gary Slyman assists individuals and organizations accelerate their transition to what is next. He provides education, training, and coaching at all levels, and to all types of organizations that allows them to achieve their goals. He is a proven leader with over 35 years experience leading organizations operating in dynamic high-risk environments to educational settings.

As an officer he provided exceptional leadership for 23 years in the United States Marine Corps to include, program management and commanding an aviation squadron in combat. In his last active duty assignment he led, established, and assisted in the development and execution of multiple ethics education programs as the Deputy Director of the Ethics Center at the United States Naval Academy.

In the field of education, he served as the Head of the Middle and Upper School and led the development of a new private independent school centered on a values-based leadership program.  During his tenure the school grew from 64 students in 6 grades to 343 students in 14 grades with 100% of it graduates accepted and attending college.

As the founder and president of Great Transitions Strategies he provides the leadership tools to individuals and organizations that allow them to transition to higher levels of performance and mission accomplishment. He works with a wide range of organizations ranging from large corporations, the government, and non profits to small businesses with a sole proprietor. His goal is to provide the support required to achieve their vision. A center piece of his focus is to assist veterans successfully transition to life as a civilian.

Gary has a Bachelor of Science from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of System Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. He completed his coach training through the Duquesne University Professional Coach Certification Program, an International Coach Federation Accredited Program and earned a Certificate in Facilitation from Georgetown University’s Institute of Transformational Leadership.

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Program Testimonials

Over the years it has been my pleasure to not only support through letters but also as a participant at many of the graduations for Project Opportunity under the direction of Retired Master Sergeant Joe Giordano. The Program offers a second step towards an “after action” career for those retiring from or expecting to retire from our military. I have seen first hand many of the graduates go on to very successful entrepreneurial endeavors. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in starting their own business and learning from a very talented core of professionals to contact Project Opportunity,” said Secretary George Owings, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.

Project Opportunity [PO] – The ultimate roadmap to planning your business. I had a catchy name. A good idea. A career with a Fortune 500 company. What I did not have was a plan to put it all together. 13 weeks later I had a plan and have never looked back. PO, like a roadmap guided me through everything from legal set up, to financial questions that I needed to ask myself. It gave me the opportunity to present my idea before successful business professionals and receive valuable feedback and insight. I was able to listen to others in the class discuss their ideas and learn from their experiences. I cannot count the number of times I have reviewed my initial PO plan just to confirm that I am on plan and on track. All this being said. The most impressive part of the Project was the enthusiasm and knowledge of the weekly guests who gave up their time to show their appreciation for a Vet. If you are seriously thinking of starting a business I cannot urge you enough the take this opportunity and make the most of it.

Author and encore to the entire Project Opportunity leadership team led by Founder, Joe Giordano and Tiffany Davis our instructor and the entire staff. My name is Paul Vann, Founder of Wealth Building Academy, LLC based in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

After being informed of Project Opportunity I wanted to be apart of something special because I was in the first class of veteran student in Prince George’s County and I wasn’t disappointed. What I enjoyed most about my experience in Project Opportunity was the comprehensive curriculum that provided an A-Z perspective and insight on entrepreneurship to current business owners like myself and prospective small business owners who participated in this amazing program.

Not only did Joe Giordano offer this second to none entrepreneurship program, he also ensured that attendees received in depth instruction from experts in the following industries: banking, marketing, legal, commercial insurance, accounting, website development, the SBA and much, much more.

I also developed an elevator pitch for my business. In the end Project Opportunity is a priceless program because I developed a business plan and financial plan for Wealth Building Academy, LLC that was reviewed and evaluated by local business experts and for this I’m grateful, thankful and my business is moving in the right direction because of this program. Thanks Joe and thanks Project Opportunity, you rock!

Project Opportunity helped boost my confidence in being a business owner at a time  when I was facing many challenges. Upon first thought, I wanted my initial brick and mortar business to be my exit strategy from my current employment. However, after going through the training I revised my business plan and realized that there was no way upon my first endeavor that was going to happen.

The course also helped with networking as I took great pleasure in hearing former graduates share their stories and I now realize how important it is to share my own.

I share this course every chance I get and also look for the day that I can be a sponsor to provide for a fellow Comrades scholarship.

Thank you Project Opportunity!

As a “Solo Vetrepreneur” the Project Opportunity workshop provided me with everything I needed  to build a strong foundation to get my business started of right! The workshop provided everything from self-assessment tools, to comprehensive business planning, financing options, e-commerce and business networking strategies and much more! I highly recommend the Project Opportunity workshop for any Veteran who has started, or is thinking about starting a business. It is well worth the investment!

Having had a 20-year radio broadcast career, I basically know the operation of commercial radio. what i didn’t know, however, was the business side of radio. enrolling, then subsequently graduating from PROJECT OPPORTUNITY in 2017, I , now , can speak with relative authority on business fundamentals. kudos to JOE GIORDANO  and his staff.

When I started  Project Opportunity, I could have been considered a serial entrepreneur. Project Opportunity helped me to take a realistic snapshot of my skillset, resources, and passion. As a result, I ventured out from my partnerships to start my consulting business that marries my knack solving problems with helping people to achieve their dreams. One of my clients is well on her way to owning a personal transportation fleet and expanding her service options after utilizing my services. Also, having the ability to flex between income streams has afforded me the opportunity to gross over $32K in my first full year on business. Joe Giordano and the Project Opportunity team has a program that promotes camaraderie and success.

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