Our Mission
Our mission is to support veterans and military families in building successful small businesses that impact communities by creating jobs and igniting economic growth.
We serve active duty personnel transitioning to civilian life, Reserve and National Guard members, honorably discharged veterans, military spouses and families, as well as veteran caregivers located in Missouri, Kansas, and Southern Illinois
Our Team
Danielle Lowery
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
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.
Danielle Lowery
Mitchell Fitzpatrick
Director, Operations & Programs
Director, Training & Outreach
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.
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.
Damon Chaffin
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.
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
Allie Pike
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Allie, an Army veteran, Reservist, and St. Louis native, joined VetBiz in 2022. Her expertise in military leadership, and infectious enthusiasm, make her well-suited to support veterans and military families in entrepreneurship.
Damon Chaffin
Allie Pike
Brandie Schmidt
Senior Business Consultant
Regional Outreach Coordinator
Kansas Outreach Coordinator
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 developement.
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, 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
Board Chair
Sekhar Prabhakar
CEO, CEdge Software Consultants, LLC
Vice Chairman
Brian Sexton
Entrepreneur/Early Stage Investor, One Salute
Treasurer
Mac McDougell
Retired Banker, CPA
Secretary
Takisha Lovelace
VP/Chief Operating Officer at Affinia Healthcare
Director, Fundraising Committee Chair
Roderick Gilliam II
Broker, The Guardian Life Insurance Company
Director
Jessica Fox
Director Strategy & Corporate Development Hussmann
Director
Patrice Manuel
CEO – Principal, P/Strata
Director
Frank Burns
Assistant Director – New Markets & Historic Tax Credits U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation
Director
Jessica Fox
Director Strategy & Corporate Development Hussmann
Director
Josh Frank
Principal, RSM Federal
Board Chair > Sekhar Prabhakar
CEO, CEdge Software Consultants, LLC
Vice Chairman > Brian Sexton
Entrepreneur/Early Stage Investor, One Salute
Treasurer > Mac McDougell
Retired Banker, CPA
Secretary - Patrice Manuel
CEO – Principal, P/Strata
Director - Donovan Foster
Business Success and Maturity Coach – Ladder Set Coaching
Director - Bob Scharff, Jr.
Owner/Managing Partner, The Todd Organization
Director > Dio Manaran
Vice President – Midwest BankCentre
Director > Bob Scharff, Jr.
Owner/Managing Partner, The Todd Organization
Director > Jessica Fox
Director Strategy & Corporate Development Hussmann
Director > Roderick Gilliam II
Broker, The Guardian Life Insurance Company
Success Is Defined By You
We believe in results, not numbers. Our clients are more than just a number in the door to us. It’s that simple.
Frank Totten- F2 Garage Solution
Charlie Felker- Free 2 Grow
Proud Vetbiz Clients
Frequently Asked Questions
Entrepreneurs
There is no cost for all who qualify for our services.
Starting a business takes a significant amount of planning and answering essential questions. Complete and submit the Business Idea Quiz and an advisor will review your answers to help you make the right decision. (All submissions are confidential.)
Watch this video of senior business consultant Damon Chaffin taking you through the Edward Lowe Business Idea Quiz.
Resources
For information on the process to apply for government contracts visit the SBA Federal Contracting Website. If you find that site confusing or need more assistance, come on back and join our unit. We are only too happy to help.
Volunteer
Visit the volunteer page and apply online through the provided link and our representative will contact you via email.
Our volunteers have diverse professional backgrounds. Indicate your specialty in the application, and we will match you with relevant opportunities such as administrative tasks, delivering business presentations, event staffing, and more.
We always have need of volunteers in the Missouri and Kansas areas. when you apply indicate how far you are comfortable traveling around your region, and we will find the opportunity that is right for you.
Contact Us