Small Business Task Force

The American Legion Small Business Task Force was chartered in 2006 by The American Legion Economic Division. Its mission is to gather information, data and research regarding the current and future economic status of veteran businesses. Data is gathered through congressional channels, regular meetings, expert presentations, federal agencies and field analysis. Findings are evaluated, and recommendations are made to Legion leadership.

The task force is made up of successful veteran business owners, federal agency officials and American Legion leadership. Meetings routinely include presentations and attendance from federal agency heads, congressional staff and business owners from across the country. All task-force members participate as volunteers at their own expense.

The task force’s outreach efforts have included hosting Veterans Small Business Training Programs at the past four American Legion national conventions. These training sessions deliver timely, relevant and valuable information to help veteran-owned businesses reach the next level and increase profitability. Speakers include professional trainers, senior federal executives, contracting experts and seasoned veteran business owners whose only motivation for participating is to help other veterans succeed.

During the Legion's 91st National Convention in Louisville, Ky., current and potential veteran business owners had opportunities to interact with federal specialists and executive guest speakers. Four federal contracting activities and two prime contractors signed up to participate in Intellimatch sessions, which use classification codes to match contractors with veteran business owners.

For more information:

jsharpe@legion.org

(202) 263-2989

Veterans Small Business Task Force Members

• Charles Baker, President, MCB Lighting & Electrical
• Bill Barrett, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Company/Small, Women or Minority-Owned Business
• Frank E. Beaty, Vice President, Business Development, Oak Grove Technologies
• James Blanco, Vice President, Development Vision Technologies
• Christopher M. Burroughs, Senior Contracting Officer, VA’s Office of Acquisition & Material Management
• Louis J. Celli Jr., President & CEO, Northeast Veterans Business Resource Center
• Walter Cotton III, Managing Partner, MRIT
• Anthony Eiland, Vice President of International Operations, The Millennium Group International
• William “Bill” Elmore, Office of Veterans Business Development, Small Business Administration
• Edner Escarne, Acting Deputy Accountability Program Officer, Department of Commerce
• Anthony J. Fiore, V2B Partners, LLC
• Charles Fowler, President, Phase Line, Inc.
• Timothy J. Foreman, Director, Navy Small Business Programs
• C. Chad Gill
• Justin Godell
• Joe Green, Division Manager, SAIC