The Partnership for Defense Innovation Completes its Successful Mission with Major Donation to the Green Beret Foundation

SAN ANTONIO, March 16, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ms. Jennifer Paquette, Executive Director of the Green Beret Foundation, has announced that the foundation has received a donation of over $215,000 from the North Carolina based Partnership for Defense Innovation, also known as PDI. Paquette commented "We now have a permanent office in Fayetteville that is home to our 'Next Ridgeline' program."  Viewed by the Green Beret Foundation as a key component of its programming and mission, the "Next Ridgeline" focuses on Green Berets separating from the Army and in critical need of education, training and networking opportunities.

She further noted "that in addition to the support offered by 'Next Ridgeline' there are too many members of the Green Beret community that are currently suffering from numerous afflictions as a result of serving in one of the most arduous units in the U.S. military. We are most fortunate that with this generous help from PDI, we can avail ourselves of the local businesses, services, and medical facilities to respond to the needs of our wounded, ill and injured.

The Partnership for Defense Innovation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  It was established in 2006 to promote economic development within the State of North Carolina with particular emphasis in Fayetteville, Cumberland County.

Speaking on behalf of PDI, Mr. Scott Perry, CEO of PDI, stated that "we are thrilled to provide the GBF with this donation. As a former Green Beret and father of a green beret I know very well the hardships our community faces when transitioning. This donation not only helps with continued economic development within Cumberland County, but assists our Green Berets and their families at a most critical time." 

PDI successfully met its mission over the last 10 years through the success of the Defense Security Technology Accelerator (DSTA) program and its Research and Development Lab (R&D Lab) operations. In August of 2016, PDI completed an asset sale to a large defense contractor, who has maintained the R&D Lab in Fayetteville, NC. This in turn allowed PDI to complete its economic development mission. PDI's final business act was to make this contribution to the Green Beret Foundation.  By keeping these funds in the Fayetteville area, The Green Beret Foundation will further complete PDI's successful mission of positive economic development for North Carolina.   

In thanking PDI and noting the positive impact the donation will generate within the Green Beret Community in Fayetteville and Fort Bragg, Paquette said "We, as a community are proud of our affiliation with the local area, and we will endeavor to support it in any way we can, while at the same time serving our Green Berets and their families. The ties here are deep and Cumberland County has been the home to the U.S. Army's Special Forces (Green Berets) since 1952." 

Mr. Perry added, "As a former Board member with the GBF, I am aware of the many support programs offered to our soldiers through the GBF, casualty support, family support, transition support and extended care support. In my opinion, there could be no better way to continue our mission than by putting this money back into our community and also helping our green beret.  We are honored for this to be our last official act as an organization."

About Green Beret Foundation

The mission of the Green Beret Foundation is to answer the call of Green Berets and their families so that they can succeed in their next mission. GBF has assisted 1,118 families since inception in October 2009 and continues to provide programs and services in support of the community on a daily basis. GBF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. For more information visit www.greenberetfoundation.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

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SOURCE Green Beret Foundation

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