team victor bravo charlie leads firecracker4 fundraising effort...

Issue 3 August 2017 In this issue: On Your Radar Spotlight: Veterans & Community Housing Coalition

Cover Photo: The Veterans Business Council’s Dan Colvin leads team “Victor Bravo Charlie” in preparations for the Firecracker4 . The group ran in cadence at the front of the race during the start.

Team Victor Bravo Charlie Leads Firecracker4 Fundraising Effort For Veterans On July 4, 2017, the Veterans Business Council organized and led a team of twenty-three military Veterans on a four-mile formation run, as part of the Saratoga Springs Firecracker Four run event. This participation highlighted the importance of military service as a part of our Nation’s freedom and independence. At the start of the race, “Team VBC” stood center stage as our National Anthem was played and the community really rallied around this display of military service and National pride. The VBC was privileged to be joined by several runners from Team Red White and Blue (RWB), which is a Veterans support organization that facilitates Veteran camaraderie through outdoor events and physical activity. As well, numerous Veterans from the General Electric’s Veterans network and Veterans and family members associated with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) unit joined Team VBC. This was the VBC’s second year organizing this symbolic run and it was enthusiastically embraced by our local community again.

Connect with the VBC at www.saratoga.org/pages/veterans-business-council

Chairman’s Message

The Veterans Business Council continues to look for opportunities to help our local Veteran community. Our members, all of whom have admirably served our Nation in military uniform, are eager to leverage their individual talents and professional networks to pair Veterans up with services they need or to provide career or professional guidance. Thank you for taking the time to read about our continued efforts. If you know of Veterans in need of the things that we can offer, please pass this on. Thank you for your patriotism and Veterans advocacy. Enjoy! Dan Colvin Chairman, Saratoga County Veterans Business Council

EMT Courses For Veterans To Resume In Fall

EMT Courses for Military Veterans will resume this fall through the Clifton Park – Halfmooon Ambulance Corps. The courses are funded, in part, by money raised through the Veterans Business Council, which supports efforts to employ and train Veterans in the area. The course tuition, which is normally $775, is waived for all military Veterans in an effort to find employment for those without it, or to allow Veterans with existing jobs to pursue new career pathways. Interested students should register online at www.saratogaems.org/register.

http://www.saratogaems.org/register


On Your Radar - Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Saturday, November 4, 2017 – Revolutionary Run For Veterans Registration at 8:00 a.m., Run at 10 a.m., Village of Schuylerville, Fort Hardy Park The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the Saratoga County Veterans Peer Connection will be holding its 6th Annual Revolutionary Run for Veterans to benefit the Saratoga County Veterans Trust Fund. Call 518.884.4115 or email [email protected] for info. Sunday, November 12, 2017 – Veterans Ball 5:00 p.m. , Hall of Springs, Saratoga Springs The Second Annual Veterans Ball is a fundraiser for Vet Help, a program that provides housing and support services to homeless veterans. Live music by the Joey Thomas Big Band will provide a forum for dancing while enjoying food, silent auction, raffles and celebration. Tickets are available online at ww.brownpapertickets.com/event/%202911838

SBA’s Boots To Business Helps Vets The photo above was taken at the June 6, 2017 Boots To Business Seminar held at the 109th Air Wing in Scotia, NY. Pictured in the forefront, are Amy Ameroso - Director Veteran Business Outreach Center NY/NJ, Emil Baker - SCORE Counselor (and Veterans Business Council Member), and Jason Young - Veteran & Business Owner. The program is run by the SBA. For more information, visit: https://www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd/resources/160511

mailto:[email protected]


Veterans & Community Housing Coalition Helps Vets Veterans & Community Housing Coalition (VCHC), formerly Saratoga Rural Preservation Company, provides transitional supportive housing as well as permanent supportive housing to homeless Veterans and Veterans with families. VCHC serves Veterans in Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie and Saratoga Counties.

Each edition will feature a story on other Veteran Organizations.

Vet House, located in Ballston Spa, New York is a transitional housing program for 14 homeless male veterans. Guardian House, home to 7, is just one of two supportive housing programs for homeless female veterans in New York State. Staff provides case management and support services to help the veterans develop skills, secure employment or benefits to transition to independent living and to live a productive life in their community. VCHC owns 14 units of permanent housing for veterans and veterans and their families. Support Services are provided to help these veterans maintain their housing and live a productive life in the community. The Support Services for Veterans Families offers support and temporary financial assistance to Veterans and their families. The goal of the program is to assist veterans to obtain and maintain permanent housing. Through this program VCHC is able to work with landlords to prevent eviction. VCHC also works with Utility Companies to prevent shut offs. This program assists over 130 veterans a year. A new program, the Saratoga Veterans Apartment Program, started this year. This program leases 14 units for homeless Veterans and Veterans with families with low income. Support Services are offered to help these Veterans maintain their housing and lead a productive life in their community. How can you help? Donations of money, furniture, household items, cleaning supplies, and food are always needed to support our Veterans. You can call 518-885-0091 to donate.


New Veterans Business Council Members Hoping To Make A Difference

James Trainor, Law Firm of Cutler, Trainor & Cutler Jim Trainor, a West Point grad, served six years in the United States Army and 22 years in the Reserves. Holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Jim served as Northeast Regional Trial Defense Counsel, Aviation AIT Company Commander, Aviation Maintenance/Logistics Officer and test pilot and Operations Officer and Armor Officer and attack helicopter pilot. Currently Jim is in private practice with the Law Firm of Cutler, Trainor & Cutler with concentration in the areas of business law, municipal regulation, bankruptcy and litigation. He also has extensive experience in criminal defense and personal injury litigation.

Randal Hagen, Ballston Spa National Bank Randal Hagen and his wife Katie moved to the Capital District in early 2013 from Syracuse and have been in Saratoga Springs for a little over 2 years. Randy’s background is in Institutional Retirement Plans for large corporations (i.e. 401k/403b/pensions). He has been the onsite representative for St. Peter’s Health Partners, Ellis Health, and Glens Falls Hospital. Currently, Randy works in the Trust Department at Ballston Spa National Bank (BSNB). In addition, Randy and his wife own the Huntington Learn Center (HLC) in Clifton Park. HLC offers students K-12 supplemental tutoring in a broad spectrum of subject matters. Randy also runs a small rental property business, owning 3 buildings in the City of Troy. Randy joined the US Army in 2000 and served 5 years active duty with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. During that time, he was deployed overseas to Kosovo and Iraq twice. He is currently serving in the US Army Reserve and was mobilized to active duty for two years from mid 2007-2009. Jason Kelsey, Boyce and Drake A former United States Marine, Jason began working at Boyce and Drake after he served four years in the Marine Corps. In 2005, Jason, along with his partner, purchased the company from long time owners and today he is Co-Owner/Vice President responsible for daily operations to include both commercial and residential jobs. While serving in the Marine Corps, Jason was a member of the Marine Wing Communication Squadron in Cherry Point, North Carolina. During Jason’s enlistment he completed AC/Refrigeration school, was lead AC/Refrigeration mechanic and was Floor Chief of daily operations and equipment repair.


New Veterans Business Council Members Hoping To Make A Difference (continued)

Emil Baker, ESGR Emil is retired from Bell Telephone & AT&T as Vice President & General Manager of NY & VT for Bell Atlantic. After retiring he founded a paging reselling company that grew to a chain of 30 Wireless Phone Stores located in NY, VT & MA.that was sold in 2015. He then founded, and still operates, the Big Moose Deli & Country Store in Hoosick Falls NY. Emil is a disabled Vietnam Veteran as well as former Army Reservist. He is the recipient of a Bronze Star and Conspicuous Service Cross. Current Volunteer Involvement with Military & Veterans programs includes: DOD/ESGR, Red Cross SAF, SCORE/SBA, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, Saratoga County’s Peer to Peer Program, Saratoga County Jail Incarcerated Veteran Program and the Vietnam Veterans of America.

VBC Represented At Military Appreciation Day At Saratoga Race Course

Veterans Business Council member Joe Pennell (pictured standing) represented the VBC on Military Appreciation Day at Saratoga Race Course on Wednesday, July 26th. The day at Saratoga Race Course paid tribute to active military members and veterans in appreciation of their sacrifice and service to our nation. The Berkshire Bank Saratoga Pavilion featured exhibits and activities throughout the day. All veterans and active duty military received free Grandstand admission with military ID.


News and Notes

Bill Wicks, the American Legion Post 91 Chaplin in Mechanicville, NY., is pictured presenting an award to Col. Bill Hall USAF (Ret). who is the Martins Point Health Care Tricare Military Health Care Manger. A donation was made to the Four Chaplin's event at the American Legion Post in February of 2017.

CBS 6 Anchor Julia Dunn recently visited with Vets at the Big Moose Deli and Country Store. Pictured (L to R) are Army Combat Veterans (except Ms. Dunn) Justin Brynes (Afghanistan), Shane Hatlee (Afghanistan), Juiia Dunn (CBS 6 Anchor), Adam Cain (Afghanistan & Iraq), Mike Poore (Afghanistan) and Emil Baker of the Veterans Business Council (Vietnam).

Representatives of the Veterans Business Council were invited to participate in a recent Veterans Roundtable with Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. Pictured (L to R) are Dan Colvin, Chair of the VBC, Congresswoman Stefanik, and Denise Romeo, Executive Vice President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

VBC Members: Ally Andolina -DeCrescente Distributing Emil Baker - ESGR Chris Bozeth - General Electric Jason Cahill - Logistics One Karen Charbonneau - Miranda Real Estate Group Erica Choi – Bank of America Jason Collins – SUNY Empire State College Dan Colvin - Momentive Performance Materials Dave Cummings - The Run at Saratoga Doug Dinon – General Electric Greg Dixon - The Wesley Community Randal Hagen – Ballston Spa National Bank Chris Homicz – Regeneron Pharmaceuticals ________________________________________________ For more information, contact: Denise Romeo Executive Vice President, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce 518-584-3255 [email protected]


Scott Iseman - O’Connell and Aronowitz, PC Jason Kelsey – Boyce and Drake Michael Kennedy - Saratoga Bridges Bob Nevins - Saratoga WarHorse Joe Pennell - Ayco Keith Prairie - Martin’s Point Health Care Michelle Taylor – Star Screen Print & Embroidery Jim Trainor – Cutler, Trainor & Cutler LLP Robert Van Pelt - AUSA Capital District of NY Chapter

The Veterans Business Council

Executive Committee: Dan Colvin - Chair Karen Charbonneau – Vice Chair Joe Pennell - Secretary Jason Collins – Treasurer Chris Homicz – Immediate Past Chair Dave Cummings – Ad Hoc member Sub-Committee Chairs: Fundraising/Events – Jason Cahill Communications – Scott Iseman Veterans/Community Outreach – Jason Collins

team victor bravo charlie leads firecracker4 fundraising effort...

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