Legion working with vets during entrepreneurial event

The American Legion will be hosting a booth and conducting outreach efforts at the annual VETS14 conference, June 16-19, at the Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nev. Staff from the Legion’s Veterans Employment and Education Division will tout the organization’s small business programs and verification counseling service.

Representing The American Legion will be Davy Leghorn, assistant director of the Veterans Employment and Education Division, and Billy Jenkins, chairman of The American Legion’s Small Business Taskforce.

VETS14 brings together federal agencies, prime contractors and veterans to network and discuss how to take advantage of the federally mandated contracting opportunities set aside for veteran-owned small businesses.

The conference will include 24 workshops, networking sessions, an awards program and keynote speakers, including:

• General Michael Hayden: The retired four-star general previously served as director of the CIA and director of the NSA. As the head of the country's keystone intelligence-gathering agency, he was on the frontline of geopolitical uncertainty and the war on terrorism.

• Chief Richard Picciotto: The former Fire Department of New York battalion commander in Manhattan was the highest ranking firefighter to survive the North Tower collapse on 9/11.

• Rocky Bleier: The Vietnam War veteran was seriously wounded in battle, but he recovered to play football as a starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning four Super Bowls.

There will also be a panel of directors from the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization or Small Business Program Managers to respond to concerns or questions about a federal agency.

Click here to review the agenda and speakers for the VETS14 conference. Additional information is also provided on www.nvsbc.org.