Business Name: Veteran Defense Services, Inc. (VetDefense)
Location: Headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska. Personnel onsite at Offutt AFB, NE, and the Global Innovation and Strategy Center (GISC), Omaha.
Email/Web:
Dave.Everhart@VetDefense.com www.VetDefense.com
Number of employees: 32
Military Veteran Employees: 28
Year Founded: 2006 (March)
Revenues:
The company operates under a 1 October to 30 September fiscal year (to mirror the federal government):
Fiscal Year Revenue
*2006 $0.0
2007 $370,855
2008 $1,168,440
**2009 (estimated) $4,000,000
*Although VetDefense started contract operations during FY06, for accounting purposes (cash basis) revenue for work performed in FY06 was not received until FY07.
**For the first quarter of FY2009, VetDefense had earned revenues of $963,011. This trend is expected to continue to climb for the remainder of this fiscal year and will result in estimated FY09 total revenues in excess of $4 million.
Services Provided: VetDefense provides Advisory & Assistance Services to the Dept. of Defense
Primary Customers: USSTRATCOM, Booz Allen Hamilton, BAE Systems
How did we start: Dave Everhart and Bob Binford started the company in March, 2009. Both Dave and Bob were employed by another defense contractor, McCallie Associates, and saw an opportunity for Service Disabled Veteran Owned contract work where McCallie, a woman-owned business, was not able to bid. The leadership at McCallie was kind enough to allow Dave and Bob to do this in their own time while maintaining their positions with McCallie. Without McCallie’s support, it would not have been possible.
Concerns: Finding time to put into the company while maintaining other fulltime jobs.
Challenges: Working through the legal documents and requirements in performing federal contract work.
Why do I love my business: Having spent 30 years in the military, being a defense contractor allows me to maintain my contact with the military community which I truly enjoy.
Key to Success: Put your honesty and integrity first and foremost, and be the best business teammate and partner possible.
Lessons Learned: If you want to start a small business, don’t quit your day job until the business can support you.
Pitfalls: Try not to borrow money, especially for daily expenses, unless absolutely necessary.
Jobs between military service and VetDefense: I was an Operations Manager for a defense company, McCallie Associates, Inc.
What aspect do I enjoy most: Hiring new employees and providing them a good quality of living.
Name of Top Executive: David E. Everhart Title: President
USAF Retired (1973-2003)
Highest Rank: Colonel
Military Occupation: Missile Operations, Command & Control
Commanded an Expeditionary Support Squadron in Kuwait during Operation Southern Watch. As the Chief, National Military Command Systems Division for the Joint Staff, was in the Pentagon on 9/11.
VetDefense is an S Corporation.
Age: 56
DoB: 15 Feb 1953
I joined NaVOBA in late 2007 or early 2008, but I’m not sure what month.
Master Degree in Administration, Central Michigan U. 1987
Master Degree in Strategic Studies, Air War College, Air University, 2000
Bachelor Degree in Education, University of Akron, 1977
Place of Birth: Wadsworth, Ohio
I enlisted in the USAF in 1973—I wanted some adventure in my life, and I got it! I was enlisted from 1973 to 1975, then returned to college and received my commission in Jan, 1978.
My goals when leaving the service were to spend more time with my wife and family. I didn’t have a set plan to do that, but I was confident that my military training and education would be beneficial.
My military experience expanded on my upbringing, which was based on honesty and integrity from my parents—this has carried over to my business career and helped establish trust with my customers and employees.
Favorite TV show: The Office
Favorite Sports Team: Cleveland Indians & Browns
Address:
17430 Riviera Dr, Omaha, NE 68136. 402-292-0771; 402-291-8221 (fax)
1). A brief description of the business/organization:
Veteran Defense Services, Inc. (VetDefense) is a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business performing Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS), System Engineering, Project Management, and Software Engineering services for the Department of Defense. All of the work being performed by VetDefense is in support of USSTRATCOM at Offutt AFB and the Global Innovation and Strategy Center (GISC), either as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor to large defense contracting firms. Headquartered in Omaha, VetDefense has grown from its initial cadre of one fulltime employee in 2006, to 32 fulltime employees today.
The company currently provides support to USSTRATCOM in the areas of Integrated Missile Defense, Joint Exercise and Training, Air Vehicle Planning System Software Engineering, Information Operations, Operations Research, Media Relations, Intern Management, and Program Support. VetDefense employs senior subject matter experts in various military specialties, and from diverse military and/or government backgrounds, to fulfill customer needs. All VetDefense contract employees work directly with the government, military, or prime contractor customers, working side by side in the customer’s duty locations.
2). Business Background:
Veteran Defense Services, Inc. was formed in March, 2006, by two retired US Air Force officers, Dave Everhart and Bob Binford. Both Dave and Bob are Veterans Administration certified service disabled veterans, and thus VetDefense is registered as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business for federal contracting purposes. VetDefense was devised as a lean operating service provider—overhead and operating costs have been designed to be minimal while providing a high level of customer support. By keeping operating costs down, VetDefense is able to offer its professional services at a very competitive rate, while at the same time offering its employees a very fair salary and an excellent benefit package. The day-to-day operations are run by Dave Everhart, President, and Mary Whaling, the company’s Business Manager. Mary is also a USAF veteran, and supports Dave with employee issues, recruiting, bookkeeping, and administration. VetDefense follows a business model that uses HR outsourcing services to keep costs low while also providing exceptional employee benefits. VetDefense outsources much of its employee benefit support to McCallie Associates, Inc., an established defense contractor headquartered in Bellevue, Nebraska.
VetDefense utilizes a management philosophy and approach that focuses on three Pillars for success: 1) Quality Employees; 2) Customer Support; and 3) Financial Stability. The first Pillar for success, Quality Employees, depends on hiring and retaining the finest, most professional employees available anywhere. The company recruits from a very elite and limited pool of candidates—all employees possess US Government security clearances and have significant knowledge and experience unique
to the Department of Defense and USSTRATCOM. Every VetDefense employee is hand-selected for ability, skill, and experience.
In the very competitive world of defense contracting, VetDefense maintains an outstanding employee benefit package. All employees start with 21 days of Paid Time Off (vacation) along with 10 paid Federal Holidays per year. After five years with the company, employees earn an extra half-day of paid vacation for every year of employment thereafter. The company’s 401K plan is employee directed and provides 50% company matching of employee contributions up to 8% of their annual salary, with 25% vesting per year of employment. The company provides comprehensive health, dental, and vision medical plans, along with a fully company funded life insurance policy equal to twice the employee’s annual salary. The company also fully funds both short term and long term disability insurance for every employee. The company encourages advanced education and training, and funds up to $3000 towards a bachelor degree program, and $4000 towards a master/doctorate degree program per employee per year. VetDefense also provides, at no cost to the employee, an Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) program. EAP provides nurses and counselors available 24 hours a day to assist with mental and physical health issues and concerns. Finally, the company makes a concerted effort to return a portion of operating profits, above those needed to sustain growth and stability, back to the employees each year in the form of year-end bonuses. Employee loyalty and stability is paramount to success, and in three years of existence VetDefense has had only one fulltime employee leave the company—a 3% turnover rate in an industry where 25% is routine.
The VetDefense Pillar #2 is Customer Support. As a small defense subcontractor, the management of VetDefense realizes that large defense contracting firms can choose amongst dozens of small business, as they desire, for their subcontracted work. Without the loyalty and support of large corporations, small businesses struggle to compete in this competitive contracting environment. In all situations, VetDefense works tirelessly to be the best teammate possible. A good small business teammate must be prepared to give as much as they receive. VetDefense offers quality support, timely response, and always steps forward to solve problems when needed. The company continually advocates what’s best for the team—even when it may not be best for VetDefense. The largest customer and defense prime contractor for VetDefense is Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH). Early in the company’s existence, VetDefense established a relationship with BAH, and currently over 80% of VetDefense’s defense contract work is as a subcontractor on BAH prime contracts. BAH has provided outstanding support and leadership to VetDefense which has enabled the company to flourish while other small defense contractor firms struggle to compete.
The VetDefense Pillar #3 is Financial Stability. Many small companies fail because of inability to control costs. The owners of VetDefense realized this, and specifically started the company without any corporate debt. To this day, VetDefense is totally debt free. By having no debt load, VetDefense is in the best position to provide its services at the lowest possible cost. VetDefense has also established a great working relationship with American National Bank in Bellevue, Nebraska—VetDefense believes in working with a quality local bank for operating accounts, business and travel cards, and any lines of credit as required. Having a local banker available for accounts, servicing, and advice is extremely beneficial to a sound business plan, and American National Bank has been a great partner in this effort.
3). Misc:
Maintaining zero debt, in combination with a very conservative spending philosophy, has enabled VetDefense to continually gain financial strength throughout their existence. This strength has enabled the company to experience rapid growth without the accompanying financial strains that normally occur and prevent small businesses from reaching their goals. The company is now in a financial position to take the next step forward in their growth, and thus is planning to move to a larger Headquarters facilities during this coming year.
In addition to providing quality employment for Nebraska citizens and outstanding service to their customers, the management of VetDefense believes in giving back to the Greater Omaha community whenever possible. The company sponsors a children’s sports team, and is an active member of both the Greater Omaha and Bellevue Chambers of Commerce. In addition, Dave Everhart, the President of VetDefense, is a graduate of Leadership Bellevue, is an active member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Military Target Advisory Group, is on the Board of Directors for the Tiburon Homeowners Association, and volunteers his time to provide interview technique training and advice to students at UNO’s Peter Kiewit Institute. Mary Whaling, the VetDefense Business manager, is a current member of the Leadership Bellevue class of 2009, and is a volunteer member of a Nebraska Business Development Council Veteran’s Committee. Many other employees of the company are very active members of organizations and in the community, and all take pride in being good citizens and contributing to the defense of our country.
Company Awards:
Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business of the Year for 2009
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year for 2009