Building community relationships and bridging the gap for disabled veteran business owners is the mission behind a Colonie-based conference called the Veterans in Economic Transition Conference (Vet Con).
The conference kicked off Tuesday with the goal of bringing work and veteran businesses together with resources, training, and more.
Daniel MacDonald is a Marine Corps Veteran, he’s the managing partner of a Rochester surveying consulting firm; for seven years he’s participated in Vet Con.
“Generally speaking it’s a form of veterans coming back together and helping each other out,” said MacDonald.
Vet Con as it’s known is a two-day conference where disabled veteran-owned businesses from across the state can meet with state and other agencies to find work contracts and learn more about entrepreneurship.
The goal is to assist with transitioning back to civilian life with financial tools and resources,
Anthony Kuhn, a 27-year veteran in the army and army reserve is the chairman of the Vet Con Alliance board. “The issue usually is either the agency can’t find the veteran to do the work, or the veteran doesn’t know where to find the resources to get those contracts. we bring everyone here together in one place and have a two-day matchmaking session.”
The conference is put on with the help of Tully Rinckey and Kuhn law firm, the three founders of the firm all served in the U.S. military or reserves.
State Assemblyman and Army Reserve veteran Angelo Santabarbara received a community service award at the conference, he says it’s about supporting veterans in any way when they return from duty.
“Most veterans when they come home want to continue serving in different ways and this allows them the opportunity to do that,” said the Rotterdam assemblyman. “It’s our duty as Americans to support our veterans, to support them when they come back home.”
