Grand Slam for Veteran Businesses

DETROIT, July 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a flurry of activity led off by the historic action of the State of Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB), quickly followed by Met Life, Delphi and the bases clearing announcement of Kroger naming the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) as the accepted certification body for our fellow Service Disabled and Veteran owned businesses (SD/VOBs), it has been a great month for Veteran business owners. 

DTMB is the primary purchasing arm of the State of Michigan.  "We want to encourage the veteran community to compete for state contracts.  In an effort to assist veteran businesses competing for government contracts, the Department of Technology, Management and Budget will now accept the National Veterans Business Development Council (NVBDC) certification when determining eligibility for the state's service-disabled veteran-owned business pricing preference," said DTMB Director David Behen.

MetLife is a leading global provider of insurance, annuities and employee benefit programs with over 145 years of integrity, social responsibility and financial leadership. MetLife was founded with a mission to support Civil War soldiers and sailors, and maintains their long-standing support of the military community to this day. MetLife understands the value that veterans can bring to their supply chain, honoring the discipline, ability to lead, and passion for service of those who have served or continue to serve their country. "We welcome MetLife to our growing list of corporations that accept our certification and want to work with Veteran Owned Businesses," said Keith King, President of the NVBDC.

Delphi Automotive is one of the world's largest automotive parts manufacturers.  As a global company, transcending race, culture, ethnicity, sex and age demographics is important to their business. With a complexity of people around the world that Delphi both employs and serves, diversity is one of their strongest core values.  From a supplier perspective, Delphi is committed to purchasing 5 percent of their United States contracts from Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) and Women Business Enterprises (WBE).  "We are looking forward to Delphi adding Veteran Businesses to their purchasing considerations and truly appreciate their support of the NVBDC," said King.

Kroger completed the grand slam by naming the NVBDC as one of the accepted certification bodies for Service Disabled and Veteran Owned Businesses (SD/VOBs).  "The Kroger Co. is pleased to support the National Veteran Business Development Councils (NVBDC) efforts to certify Veteran and Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. We are proud to be a part of this necessary certification of Veteran business owners who have served our country with honor, through their military service," said Denise Thomas, Director, Corporate Supplier Diversity. 

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SOURCE National Veteran Business Development Council