The 2001 Champions of Veterans Enterprise Awards recognize outstanding service in support of the theme "Veterans in Business - Awareness, Education and Understanding."
Individual Achievements
Ben Reyes is a service-connected disabled veteran of American Indian heritage. He owns Iron Eagle Environmental Services. The firm is certified for SBA's 8(a) program and is registered on SBA's Pro-Net small business database. He has successfully completed work in VA and other agencies.
In the spirit of "Veterans in Business - Still Serving America," Ben supports both his community and VA. He volunteers with the Northport New York Indian Veterans Outreach Council to encourage Native American veterans to access VA benefits and services. This important work, by itself, would be reason to honor Mr. Reyes with the Enterprising Veteran's award.
However, when the Center established its motto "Veterans in Business - Still Serving America!" last February, we could not forecast how meaningful it would become. Then, on September 11, tragedy struck New York City's World Trade Center. Ben Reyes called the CVE soon after 9-11. He volunteered his firm's environmental clean-up services to aid the recovery effort. Later, we would hear from many veterans offering their services. Others volunteered to serve in any capacity their Government identified. Ben, we are deeply moved by your patriotism, your spirit and your leadership. It is a privilege to honor your work as the first "Enterprising Veteran's Award." |
| Fran Heimrich is the Public Affairs Specialist who supports the CVE. She embraced Veterans Entrepreneurship and continually promotes the CVE in print and broadcast media. As a direct result of her efforts, VA's Center for Veterans Enterprise has been highlighted in newspapers, magazines, and radio programs. She supports CVE-sponsored conferences and continually asks how she can do more. She was instrumental in raising awareness of VA's new office through all-employee notices, broadcast messages, articles in the Department's VAnguard magazine and film highlights. |
Tom Pamperin epitomizes the spirit of "One-VA." He works for VA's Compensation and Pension Service. When we approached him to request a paragraph in the annual cost-of-living-adjustment letter which is mailed to around 3 Million disabled veterans, Tom flew into action and took care of business. Once he accomplished this, he volunteered program improvement ideas to the CVE staff. We are most grateful and appreciative of his interest in the CVE and in enterprising veterans.
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Jack Hackett from VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service is a trusted advisor about self-employment and job retraining issues. Through his expertise, the CVE staff has grown in our understanding of employment impediments and challenges. Jack has been recognized by the SBA for his dedicated service to veterans in business. He created a model self-employment guide for veterans in the State of Iowa. We hope to identify new opportunities to tap his creativity, energy, experience and dedication to our most deserving veterans.
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