SM to Gregory Padgham, Director Tri County Council for Lower Eastern Shore and Joe Giordano, Founder Project Opportunity” width=”450″ height=”539″ /> Beth Goldberg, Safeway Eastern Division Senior Manager for Community and Public Affairs, presenting Safeway Foundation Grant in support of Project Opportunity^SM to Gregory Padgham, Director Tri County Council for Lower Eastern Shore and Joe Giordano, Founder Project Opportunity

Project Opportunity^SM was awarded a grant, as one of the seventeen finalists from the Safeway Foundation. The grant award will assist Project Opportunity^SM in offering two classes during 2019.

$321,000 in Safeway Foundation grants will support seventeen local organizations that provide area veterans with assistance in career training, stress counseling, social activities and rehab programs, and support to the families of fallen soldiers. Funds were raised during the month of October at stores in DC, VA, MD and DE, where customers were asked to “Support Our Veterans.”

“Safeway Foundation and Safeway believe our veterans’ sacrifice and service should be honored”, said Tom Lofland, Safeway Eastern Division President. “We are proud to help support their transition back into civilian life.”

Veterans organizations receiving grants included: American Humane, Blue Star Families, Inc., Central Union Mission, Easter Seals Serving DC/MD/VA, Goodwill Industries of The Chesapeake, Inc., Hero Dogs, Home Away Transitional Services, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Maryland Center for Veteran Employment & Training, Project Opportunity^SM (Tri-County Council Foundation, Inc.), Rebuilding Together DC/Alexandria, Sekhem Health Healing, The Mission Continues, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, U.S. Veteran Initiative (USVETS), United Way of Central Maryland and USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore.

Project Opportunity^SM is a free entrepreneurship training program which has been designed solely for veterans who want to start their own business. The prerequisite for veterans who wish to be considered to participate is they must have a solid idea of what business venture they want to start because the course is designed to develop and complete a comprehensive business plan instead of just exploring the possibility of entrepreneurship. The program is a 10 week (30 hour) intensive course designed to prepare participants to research and complete a business plan.

Safeway Foundation Mission

Our Foundation supports causes that impact our customers’ lives. Our stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through our employees’ passion, partnerships with our vendors and the generous contributions by our customers.

Carefully directing contributions, we work in collaboration with local organizations and seek to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.  We take pride in ensuring that the vast majority of the funds we raise stays in local communities and reflects what is important to our customers and employees.

Project Opportunity^SM is pleased to announce that we have had three graduates selected for the Initial Global Good Fund Veterans Leadership Program.  Congratulations Fred Barnes, Phillip Scott, and Enrique Young.

Fred Barnes

Fred Barnes is a graduate of the Columbia Fall 2013 Class.  His business is TAC Integrated Solutions (www.tacintegrated.com).  TAC Integrated Solutions specializes in protecting Critical Information and empowering Information Discovery in support of the Defense, Intelligence, National Security and Federal Civilian missions. We leverage developed technology coupled with subject matter expertise to apply towards solving complex challenges in the following areas:  Advanced Analysis, Enterprise/IT Security, and Cyber Solutions.

Phillip Scott

Phillip Scott is a graduate of the Baltimore Spring 2017 Class.  He is the owner of Jetseal, Inc. (www.jetsealonline.com).  They provide the following services:

• Parking lot maintenance and repair
• Driveway maintenance and repair
• Sealcoating
• Striping
• Snow removal
• Signage
• Paving
• Crack repair

Enrique Young

Enrique Young is a graduate of the Columbia Spring 2014 Class.  He is the Founder of FEBA, Inc (www.febasecurity.com).  FEBA has the experience to quickly mobilize personnel, management and assets to provide Protective Security and Event Staffing services to mitigate risk and enhance efficiency at various locations in the Country, to include MGM properties and specifically the Theater at National Harbor, Maryland. FEBA understands the possible nefarious threats that could befall the Theater at National Harbor and has taken every precaution to ensure that the security personnel assigned to the Back Stage areas in general and the theater in particular are professional and capable of preventing hostile acts and are proactive in apprehending and stopping those individuals bent on making a public statement or injuring Theater Patrons. Since February 1, 2017, FEBA has provided back stage event security support for more than 25 shows. FEBA is ready and has been responsive to Theater Management calls and in many cases were able to provide theater support with quality personnel with little notice.

The Global Good Fund

The Global Good Fund recognizes that Veterans have received leadership training throughout their military service.  While many military leadership traits translate well into business, Veteran entrepreneurs like all entrepreneurs face unique challenges in growing and scaling their businesses.  According to the Small Business Administration, there are 2.5 million Veteran owned businesses that employ over 5 million people.

In an effort to support the leadership needs of Veteran entrepreneurs, The Global Good Fund has partnered with the Smithfield Foundation to launch the Veterans Leadership Program to provide personalized leadership development, executive mentoring and $10,000 in targeted capital to invigorate the leadership growth of veteran entrepreneurs. In 2018, the Global Good Fund will select 5 Veteran entrepreneurs to participate in the program.

For more information about this program please visit their website: https://globalgoodfund.org/people/veterans/

Michael I. Kaplan author of “The Prior-Service Entrepreneur” conducted an interview with Project Opportunity^SM Founder, Joe Giordano. The interview and article are used with permission and re-printed below.

Please feel free to connect with Michael I. Kaplan:

Phone: (912) 777-7500
Email: [email protected]

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The success of “Project Opportunity” is an excellent model for veteran programs everywhere.

The economic and employment outlook for the next 24 months looks rather uninspiring. Real unemployment is in the double-digits, the new jobs being created are less than appealing, and veterans entering the civilian labor market are going to find it increasingly difficult to compete for positions despite their extraordinary value.

Do you want to ignore that reality, complain about it or do something to address the issue that actually makes a difference? If you’re like Joe Giordano, Director of Project Opportunity^SM, failure is not an option and actions always speak louder than words.

Joe developed Project Opportunity^SM, a free entrepreneurship training program for veterans who wish to start a small business or expand their current small business as an alternative to traditional employment and in response to the high unemployment rate among the veteran population. Project Opportunity^SM started on the Eastern Shore of Maryland of 2010 and has continued as an annual training program. Over the past few years it has expanded to Annapolis, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Southern Maryland.

I had the pleasure of connecting with Joe in a professional capacity and becoming familiar with his work with aspiring veteran entrepreneurs. I was truly impressed with the programs’ mission, its successful outcomes and the ease of which the program can be replicated on state and national levels.

Those who know me understand that when I get excited about a program that’s helping veterans to succeed and prosper, I have to share that with the world. I had the opportunity to sit down with Joe Giordano recently and ask him a few questions about his program. His thoughtful answers should serve as a model for veteran entrepreneurship programs in every state in America.

Michael: What inspired you to develop Project Opportunity^SM, and what do you hope to accomplish in the next 24 months?

Joe: Project Opportunity^SM was developed to offer veterans an alternative to traditional employment and to assist in the high unemployment rate among veterans in 2010. Over the next 24 months I hope to be able to expand the program to other areas of Maryland, we currently have 115 veterans on the waiting list for future classes. I also am working on developing a stronger mentorship program for those who have completed the course.

Michael: At a time when the majority of Veteran Service Organizations are focused on getting veterans hired into conventional jobs, why did Project Opportunity^SM choose to focus on entrepreneurial small business?

Joe: It just made sense. Veterans are excellent candidates for entrepreneurship because they already possess the four most important traits of successful small business owners: Self Discipline, Motivation, Problem Solving Skills, and the Ability to Multitask.

Michael: How long is the training program and what can veterans expect to take away from the course?

Joe: The course is 30 hours of classroom (3 hours a week for 10 weeks) utilizing the NxLevel Business Plan Basic curriculum. Each week there is approximately 20 hours of outside work (reading assignments, homework assignments, and research for business plan material). Each veteran should walk away with the knowledge and resources necessary to complete their business plan and be able to move forward to the next step in their business venture.

Michael: Once a veteran has completed the Project Opportunity^SM training program, what type of support network do they have to give them the best chance for success?

Joe: The primary support network is for the veterans to maintain contact with myself and their course instructor. Additionally, resources introduced during the course such as SBTDC, SCORE, local bankers and marketing experts, and micro lending agencies and organizations serve as excellent support as they move forward with the business venture.

Michael: How many veterans are currently taking advantage of project opportunity, and what’s the graduation rate for those who choose to attend?

Joe: There have been a total of eleven classes with 114 veterans accepted and 96 who have completed the course, giving us a graduation rate of 84%. Reasons for not completing the course include relocation, medical issues, realization that the business concept not feasible, and not being able to commit time to course due to work conflicts.

Michael: In addition to the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship and the Walmart Foundation, what other supporters does Project Opportunity^SM partner with to be able to offer this free program to veteran entrepreneurs?

Joe: We partner with the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation, the Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, the Tri County Council of Southern Maryland, the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, TEDCO, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, SCORE, SBA Baltimore District Office, local Maryland Department of Labor and Regulation Veterans Employment Representatives, local VA Vocational Rehabilitation Office, and the Small Business Technology and Development Center Offices.

Michael: In addition to business professionals from the private sector who serve as lecturers and mentors, how else does the community support your vision, mission and goals?

Joe: We have formed partnerships with regional government economic development agencies which have been an outstanding source of support, from offering classrooms for our courses to working with program graduates to assist them in launching their business ventures. Any time we approach an individual from the private sector or a public sector agency for assistance the response is always enthusiastic and a commitment is made almost immediately to provide the subject matter expertise and technical assistance necessary to be able to offer the veteran participants the best entrepreneurial education possible.

America’s veteran wage earners – a noble and good-hearted group of well-meaning individuals – are worried about claiming their “piece of the pie.” They work hard for it and they’re taking every step possible to protect it. That’s totally understandable. Good jobs are hard to come by in today’s economy and even harder to keep.

While they’re busy doing that, however, veteran entrepreneurs graduating from the Project Opportunity^SM training program in Maryland are making more pies. We need more veterans with entrepreneurial mindsets to get involved who understand we don’t need to fiercely protect smaller pieces of an increasingly shrinking pie.

We need more pies, and only entrepreneurs can make that happen.

Most of us know that our military veterans are uniquely suited to that task. I encourage everyone to connect with Joe Giordano and learn more about Project Opportunity^SM and the entrepreneurial spirit that is allowing our veterans in Maryland to become so successful.

Glen Burnie, MD (March 19, 2014) – The Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) today announced that eight veterans have successfully completed the Project Opportunity^SM training program and graduated in a ceremony at the Youth Employment Center in Glen Burnie on Tuesday, March 18. The graduates are: Howard Biddle, Janeen Birkhead, Patricia Buckley, Greg Coster, Chuck Davis, Regina Gillens, Jason Harris and Emma McClain.

An AAWDC-funded, 10-week veteran’s training program, Project Opportunity^SM supports entrepreneurship through education, mentorship, loan opportunities and business development and planning.

“I founded Project Opportunity^SM in the fall of 2010 and have since trained 100 veterans and graduated 81 in the state of Maryland,” explained Joe Giordano, founder of Project Opportunity. “This is the first time we have done training in collaboration with AAWDC and the results are excellent.”

“Not only are we giving veterans the knowledge and tools to create wealth by starting their own businesses, this program also has a positive effect on Anne Arundel County’s economy and creates employment opportunities for our residents,” said Kirkland Murray, CEO and President of AAWDC.

“I had the good fortune of working with Joe and Project Opportunity^SM previously in Howard County, so I know firsthand the value of this program,” said County Executive Laura Neuman. “Congratulations to all of our graduates. I know that they are well-prepared to enter into this new phase of their careers and I hope they will pursue their dreams right here in Anne Arundel County.”

One of the graduates, Chuck Davis, has already started his window-cleaning business, Kiss My Glass of USA (http://kissmyglassofusa.com/). “This program, although rigorous, set me on a path for success,” explained Mr. Davis. “With the tools I learned, I can now develop and refine my business plan and prepare for anticipated growth in the future.”

The guest speaker was Anne Arundel Economic Development’s President/CEO Ed Rothstein and the sponsors were Mission BBQ and Alan I. Elkin, CEO of Advance.

To view pictures of the event, please visit AAWDC’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AnneArundelWorkforceDevelopment?ref=hl#!/media/set/?set=a.276760182484293.1073741827.138670862959893&type=1

Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) is a 501(c) (3) Corporation charged with providing workforce and training services to Anne Arundel County citizens and businesses. AAWDC operates seven One-Stop Career Centers that offer innovative workforce solutions to businesses and job seekers. Business services include customized recruitment assistance, job postings, business retention, training funds for incumbent workers, and workforce transportation solutions. Job seeker services include job search assistance, career guidance, career development and computer skills workshops, access to our resource center, training assistance, and supportive service referrals. Please visit http://www.aawdc.org/ for more information.

Media Contact: 

Theresa Downs
410-491-3490
[email protected]

– Originally posted on August 11th, 2013 by SHANTEÉ WOODARDS for the Capital Gazette. You can read the original article here.

There was a time when post-traumatic stress disorder limited Tracy Hoover’s speech and mobility.

But the retired U.S. Air Force veteran slowly turned his life around and is now co-owner of an Edgewater auto repair shop. His work at Premier Collision & Customs is a stress reliever, but he realizes veterans need a variety of services ranging from healthcare to job training.

So he is in the early stages of creating a veterans transition center to link them to those services. Many veterans join the armed services as young as 18 and return home with limited training, he said.

“They come back and they don’t know what to do — they never had to interview for a job and in some cases they don’t have the skills to transfer back to their civilian lives,” said Hoover, who retired from the U.S. Air Force and helped launch Premiere Collision & Customs. “There has got to be somebody who grabs the hand of the veteran and walks them through the process.”

There are also veterans who want to launch their own businesses, and that is a network the Annapolis Economic Development Corp. hopes to attract in its newest effort. The organization is partnering with Consulting, Training, and Development Services and the state Technology Development Corp. to provide a 10-week program to veterans who want to be entrepreneurs.

Called Project Opportunity^SM, the evening classes will be held at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts through November. Eighty veterans wanted to sign up for the program, so a second session will be offered in the spring.

“We knew there were a number of veterans in the Annapolis area, we just weren’t sure how many wanted to be entrepreneurs,” AEDC CEO Lara Fritts said. “The great thing about veterans is that we know that they’re hard working and they have an amazing work ethic.”

Statistics show the unemployment rate for post-Sept. 11 veterans declined to just under 10 percent last year. Those figures vary based on where they were stationed and the type of service.

Recent veterans who were in the National Guard or Reserves had an unemployment rate of 7.2 percent in August 2012, compared to 13.7 percent for those who were not members.

Those who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or both had an unemployment rate just under 11 percent, while those who served elsewhere had a rate of 11.3 percent in August 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

With Project Opportunity^SM, participants will have weekly sessions that teach them about developing marketing plans, funding, networking and social media. The plan is for them to start out with their own business plans and fine tune them over the course of the program.

By their completion in November, they will be able to move onto the next stages of launching their venture.

“Hopefully this will translate into new business for the good ole City of Annapolis. As pleased as we are to do this, there is a selfish motive,” said Bob Sammis, Jr., the AEDC business recruitment, retention and expansion coordinator. “At the end of the day you need the same stuff — you need the business plan, funding, some sense of motivation — and all of those things have to fall into place regardless of if you’re a vet or not. But there may be some subtle differences (from other entrepreneurs).”

For more information about the AEDC’s Project Opportunity^SM program, call 410-280-2712