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About Us
Who We Serve
Board of Directors
Who We Serve
If you’ve served, supported a Veteran, or share the entrepreneurial spirit of service and leadership—VetBiz is here for you.
Mission
Board of Directors
Who We Serve
At VetBiz, we are dedicated to providing top-notch services and support to our Veterans.
Our mission is to help Veterans transition back into civilian life as smoothly as possible.
Staff
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
VetBiz is powered by a team of professionals and Veteran advocates committed to your business success.
We bring together experienced advisors, community connectors, and mission-driven leadership who understand both the military and business worlds.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and guidance to ensure VetBiz fulfills its mission and serves the Veteran business community with excellence.
Our Board Membership spans Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois—bringing strategic leadership from across the St. Louis, Kansas City, and Wichita regions to ensure Veterans thrive in business.
Success Stories
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Real Veterans. Real businesses. Real results.
Here’s a look at how VetBiz has helped business owners across our region start strong, overcome obstacles, and reach new heights.
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Support the mission. Empower a Veteran. Volunteer. Donate.
Your contribution helps us provide free training, counseling, and critical resources to Veteran Business Owners and Entrepreneurs across our region.
Every dollar makes a difference.
Strategic Partners
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Strategic Partners
We proudly collaborate with organizations that share our mission to help Veterans thrive in business. Together, we expand opportunities, amplify impact, and build a stronger ecosystem of support.
Ways to Help Support Our Mission
Consider a Donation
Consider a Donation
Consider a Donation
Support the mission. Empower a Veteran.
Your contribution helps us provide free training, counseling, and critical resources to Veteran Business Owners and Entrepreneurs across our region.
Every dollar makes a difference.
Volunteer
Consider a Donation
Consider a Donation
Make a difference in a Veteran’s business journey — volunteer your time, talent, or experience today. One act of service can spark a lifetime of impact — become a VetBiz volunteer.
Become a Board Member
Become a Board Member
Become a Board Member
Lend your skills. Lift a mission. Support Veteran Business Owners and Entreprenuers.
Sponsorships
Become a Board Member
Become a Board Member
We have a plethora of opportunities to target your sponsorship that results in impacting
Veterans so they can thrive in business.
Meet Our Staff
Danielle Lowry
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Director, Operations & Programs
Danielle is a skilled communications administrator with expertise in communications, event planning, team leadership, and customer support. She joined VetBiz in 2019 and looks forward to many more years of growth.
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Director, Training & Outreach
Mitch, a former Army Noncommissioned Officer from Kansas City, joined VetBiz in 2020. He’s dedicated to continuous learning and professional growth, and eager to make a positive impact on the community.
Name of Cause
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Name of Cause
Senior Business Consultant
Damon is a pragmatic operations and sales expert. He leverages his financial acumen and customer service skills to grow businesses. As the Senior Business Advisor at VetBiz, he provides consultation and mentoring to clients throughout various stages of business development.
Allie Pike
Brandie Schmidt
Name of Cause
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Allie, an Army Veteran, Reservist, and St. Louis native, joined VetBiz in 2022. Her expertise in military leadership, and infectious enthusiasm, makes her well-suited to support veterans and military families in entrepreneurship.
Brandie Schmidt
Brandie Schmidt
Brandie Schmidt
Kansas Outreach Coordinator
Brandie, a non-profit professional, comes to VetBiz with a history in a sales and small business management. Joining VetBiz in 2023, she comes with a learning fever to grow her expertise and provide the Kansas City community with all the benefits VetBiz has to offer.
Board of Directors
The VetBiz Board of Directors is a strong, regionally representative body of dedicated leaders from across Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois. With members rooted in key metropolitan areas including St. Louis, Kansas City, and Wichita, and throughout the tri-state region, our board brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for Veteran success.
Together, they provide strategic oversight, governance, and advocacy—ensuring VetBiz delivers on its mission to equip Veterans with the resources to thrive in business.
Board of Directors Vision: To be the beacon of leadership, connection, and governance in empowering Veteran Business Owners, while driving Vetbiz to recognition as the premier organization for transforming military skills into successful business ventures in our tri-state region.
Board Mission: Our mission is to guide and oversee Vetbiz with strategic direction, ensuring effective stewardship of resources and fostering innovative programs.
We are committed to advancing Vetbiz's impact, expanding partnerships, and enhancing support for Veterans in their business journeys, ultimately contributing to their business success and community growth.
Each committee plays a vital role in advancing the mission and ensuring VetBiz operates with accountability, vision, and Veteran-focused impact. Our Standing Board Committees:
- Governance
- Finance
- Fund Development
- Programs
- Government Affairs and Advocacy
- Marketing & Communications
- Board Development
- Technology
Our bylaws allow for both Board Members and Committee Members, creating a strong mix of leadership, volunteerism, and strategic focus. This structure ensures we connect our clients with the best possible resources—so that VetBiz thrives just as much as the Veterans we serve.
Consider joining our board or a committee today and bring your knowledge, expertise, and experience to support our mission.
Executive Committee
- Board Chair – Donovan Foster
- Vice Chair – Sue Fenske
- Treasurer – Dio Maranan
- Secretary – Esmeralda Aharon
- Chair, Fund Development Committee – Bob Tisone
- Chair, Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee – Gabriela “Gabby” Ochoa
- Chair, Programs Committee – Matt Kennington
Board Members
- Board Member – David Levy
- Board Member – Emily Hemmingway
Emeritus Members
- Sekhar Prabhakar (Board Chair 2022-2024)
- Brian Sexton (Vice Chair 2018-2024)
- Roderick Gilliam
- Mac McDougal (Treasurer)
- Jessica Fox (Treasurer)
- Josh Frank (Board Chair 2016-2022)
- Jacob Garth (Board Chair (2015-2016)
- Frank Curtis
- Dennis Lane
- Bill Elmore
- Ed Higgins (Board Chair 2002-2008)
Vision, Mission & Strategic Objectives
Vision: Veterans have the resources to thrive in business across our tri-state region.
Mission: VetBiz empowers Veteran Business Owners and Entrepreneurs across Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois by providing high-impact training, personalized counseling, strategic connections, and access to critical resources—ensuring they can succeed from idea to exit.
We serve those who’ve served by delivering trusted guidance, building community, and promoting sustainable business growth that uplifts families, communities, and futures.
Strategic Objectives: VetBiz operates with intentionality and impact across the following priorities:
- Expand outreach and engagement across our tri-state region
- Deliver high-quality, high-impact training and business counseling
- Strengthen partnerships that benefit the Veteran business ecosystem
- Connect Veterans to capital, contracts, and critical resources
- Promote sustainable, strategic growth for Veteran-owned businesses
Core Values: VETS LEAD
- Visionary: We are forward-thinking, always planning and innovating for the future of our clients.
- Empathy: We understand and share the feelings of our clients, showing genuine care in all our interactions.
- Trustworthy: We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all our actions.
- Service Excellence: We are committed to exceeding expectations by delivering exceptional service to our clients.
- Leadership: We inspire and guide others to achieve more than they imagined possible.
- Efficiency: We strive for streamlined, effective processes that deliver maximum value.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and decisions, and their outcomes.
- Diversity: We value and respect the unique experience, perspectives, and backgrounds of everyone.
At VetBiz, our core values guide how we serve Veterans, engage with our community, and lead with purpose. Whether you’re a Board Member, Staff, Funder, Vendor, Client, or Partner — we believe in living these values every day.
