Since I am one of the champions for the veteran initiative with both procurement and human resources, I am delighted to share my perspective regarding NaVOBA.

BAE Systems has been a member of NaVOBA for two years. Our association has provided greater access to the veteran community, serving as a membership organization similar to NMSDC and WBENC. We view NaVOBA to be one of our partners in achieving our veteran owned small business goals. They also make it a practice to reach out to their corporate members for articles that showcase their program. This is an opportunity to better define your company’s position and the process for gaining access to subcontracting opportunities to a focused audience.

Diane G. Dempsey
BAE Systems
Director, Small Business Relations

We’ve found NaVOBA to be the best source as we launch the veteran leg of our supplier diversity program. NaVOBA corporate membership enables Microsoft to really plug into the veteran business community and will be vital as we grow our program. 

Fernando Hernandez
Microsoft
Microsoft Supplier Diversity Director

It has been a short time since Woodward became Corporate Partners with NaVOBA. Woodward was hoping that our partnership would provide us with more exposure to Veteran and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. Boy, has it! Our advertisement and the tremendous article that Vetreprenuer wrote about our program in the April 2008 issue has already generated nearly 100 new contacts. So many that I am still catching up with them. 

Woodward feels as though the leadership, dedication, passion and ethics that are inherent in our Veterans are key characteristics that form the backbone of our best suppliers. Within the next five-years, our expectations are that our subcontracting dollars are going to increase, dramatically. It is imperative that we have supplier-partners that can take that next step with us. Who better to grow with than Veteran Small Businesses, who possess the same drive?

We already have a strong relationship with many Veteran Owned Businesses, Like Remtronics that was featured in the April article. Plus, since our membership began with NaVOBA, we have a success story with a new SDVOB-who is now providing Woodward with a flight-critical component for a military aircraft. A supplier ready to take that next step along with us.  

Mark J Schnorenberg
Woodward
Federal Regulation Compliance Manager

Comments