For details on upcoming Veterans Business Council events, visit the
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar.
The VBC thanks our Annual Sponsors:
Valor Level
The Mission of Veterans Business Council (VBC)
The mission of the Veterans Business Council of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is to facilitate opportunities for our military veterans residing in Saratoga County. Efforts include connecting them with the business community to enhance their knowledge of employment opportunities, job or entrepreneurial training, and new business development. The Council also seeks additional opportunities in support of our local veterans.
Please use the button below to make a donation to support the mission of the Veterans Business Council.
Key Initiatives and Events
For dates and details about any Veterans Business Council events please be sure to see the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce event calendar. You can also keep up to date with the Veterans Business Council through social media.
Meet and Greet Events
Held quarterly, these events provide opportunity for organizations and individuals interested in supporting Veterans to network and hear from like-minded organizations. These events are posted on the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce event calendar.
Veterans-focused Job Fairs
Typically held in coordination with the local Naval Support Activity base or partner organizations, these job fairs are focused on providing Veterans, dependents and active-duty service members with connections to regional career opportunities.
VBC Membership Roster
Below is a list of the current members of the Chamber's Veterans Business Council. You can also contact Greg Dixon at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce for more information at 518-584-3255 or GDixon@Saratoga.Org.
Jason Collins, Chair, Navy, Naval Support Facility Saratoga Springs Fleet and Family Support Center, Jason.D.Collins26.civ@us.navy.mil
Karen Charbonneau, Secretary, Army, Saratoga Home Team of the Miranda Real Estate Group, karen@saratogahometeam.com
Dr. Joe Juracka, Treasurer, Navy, Smiles for Life Dental Care, jurackadmd@gmail.com
Daniel Beecher, Marine Corps, Howard Hanna Real Estate, danielbeecher@howardhanna.com
Zach Cramer, Army, JP Mangione, zachc@jpmangione.com
Dave Cummings, Army, Run at Saratoga, Past member of Board of Directors for Saratoga County Chamber, cummindm@aol.com
Sean Dion, Air Force, Mr. Electric of Queensbury, mrequeensbury@gmail.com
David Earsing, Navy, Transition Assistance Advisors, DEarsing@gapsi.com
Chris Homicz, Marine Corps, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, chris.homicz@gmail.com
Michael Kennedy, Navy, Saratoga Bridges, mkennedy@saratogabridges.org
Derek Lloyd, Army
Bob Nevins, Army, Alliance180, bob@alliance180.org
Mark O'Rourke, Army, Saratoga: The Turning Point Film, mark.orourke@1777.org
Keith Prairie, Navy, Martins Point Health Care, keith.prairie@martinspoint.org
Brian Sherman, Army, Empire State University, brian.sherman@sunyempire.edu
Kyle Solakian, Navy, Applied Materials, kyle_solakian@amat.com
Robert Van Pelt, Army, AUSA Capital District of NY Chapter, bvpcsm@aol.com
Staff Liaisons:
Andrea Cole, Saratoga County Chamber, acole@saratoga.org
Greg Dixon, Army, Saratoga County Chamber, gdixon@saratoga.org
Saratoga County F.A.V.O.R Veterans Discount Program
Saratoga County Clerk Craig A. Hayner and members of the Board of Supervisors recently announced the launch of a newly redesigned Saratoga County veterans F.A.V.O.R. card (Finding & Assisting Veterans of Record) and formally opened an exhibit that showcases a collection of military memorabilia from local veterans.
Eligible County veterans are encouraged to file their military discharged papers with the County Clerk in order to receive their copy of the FAVOR Card. The card allows veterans to display their branch of service and, if eligible, their Purple Heart Medal designation.
The FAVOR Card program provides discounts to eligible veterans at more than 325 participating businesses throughout the county. A list of those business, and more information on program eligibility can be found on the County’s FAVOR program webpage.
The new exhibit will showcase items from current and past wars and conflicts and will tie generations of local family’s service together, dating back to the first World War. It is meant to highlight the service of our local veterans and offer the community an opportunity to learn about their service and to say ‘thank you.’
“Our office is very thankful for the service of our nation’s veterans,” said County Clerk Craig A. Hayner. “The FAVOR program is a small way we can show our appreciation for their sacrifices. We encourage veterans to contact our office to request the new card, whether they have one already or are new to the program. We are also encouraging them to file their discharge papers with our office so that if they were ever lost, the veterans or their families can recover necessary paperwork in a short amount of time.”
“Today’s announcement of a redesigned F.A.V.O.R. card represents a wonderful enhancement and expansion of this terrific program that helps and honors our local veterans. I strongly support the F.A.V.O.R. Program and it is terrific that my friend Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, and the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency are strengthening this important and successful initiative, in addition to celebrating and showcasing the special history of area veterans dating back to World War I. As a nation, state and community, we are forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of our veterans,” said New York State Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon).
“The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency stands ready to serve the more than 18,000 veterans who reside here,” said Frank McClement, Director of the Saratoga County Veteran Service Agency. “The FAVOR program, administered by the County Clerk, is just one of the many programs available to former service members in Saratoga County. Additionally, we offer a strong peer-to-peer program and benefits counseling for these brave men and women who served so selflessly.”
“Our county is continuously looking for new ways to better serve our veteran community,” said Hadley Town Supervisor Mo Wright, Chairman of the Veterans Committee. “The FAVOR program is a small way we say ‘thanks’ to those who have sacrificed on our behalf.”
“I encourage my fellow veterans to file their discharge papers with the County Clerk in order to receive this new FAVOR card,” said Capt. Dave Wallingford, USMC (ret.) and Saratoga County resident. “By having military discharge papers on file, veterans and their families can recover them if they are lost or misplaced. I’m grateful for the many resources available to veterans in Saratoga County.”
Veterans are encouraged to file their discharge papers with the County Clerk in order to enroll in the FAVOR program and have access to discounts at more than 325 businesses in Saratoga County. Veterans can file the paperwork at the County Clerk’s office in Ballston Spa.
For more details, please visit www.saratogacountyny.gov/county-initiatives/favor-veterans-discount-program/
A VOICE FOR VETERANS: Veterans Business Council
By Jackie Kingsland
Saratoga Today - January 13, 2014
The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce is a tremendous resource in our area for obtaining a business referral, finding an entertainment venue, reading the blog on community happenings and selecting a chamber event to attend or support.
Additionally, it’s an excellent way for exposing your business to the area with mixers, meetings and events, and as a member of the chamber, there are many benefits and opportunities for leadership and growth in our community. Their website offers an online jobs list with members posting available positions for businesses in the county (www.saratoga.org).
With a friendly staff from the Director of First Impressions to the membership representatives and onto the CEO, they are an experienced and knowledgeable group who strive to provide the best methods and practices for developing businesses, answering questions and inquiries and acquiring gainful employment.
One of the newest endeavors at the Saratoga County Chamber was the development of the Veterans Business Council in the fall of 2012. The idea for more veteran support began when the Saratoga County Veteran’s Service Agency presented an idea to collaborate with the Chamber and establish a full task force assisting veterans with their search for work.
Vice President of Membership Services Denise Romeo (dromeo@saratoga.org) concurred with their vision and developed the Veterans Business Council in partnership with the Saratoga County Veteran’s Service Agency, which assists vets in filing claims with the US Department of Veterans Affairs regarding disability, education, pension, surviving spouse, and more (visit www.saratogacountyny.gov for further details).
Ms. Romeo is a fervent advocate and supporter of our service members. Her father served in the military and currently her daughter is an intelligence analyst in the National Guard. Her daughter faced deployment overseas from January 2012 to December 2012, arriving back home in the states a few days before Christmas (the best gift that doesn’t fit under the tree).
“Having been home now for about a year, my daughter began having nightmares. Sometimes it takes a while…it doesn’t just end a few months or even a few years after they return,” Denise said. “Helping the community understand what they go through—that’s our job.”
Denise works diligently with the Council to create community awareness and provide resources to help veterans looking for work connect with businesses in the area; provide training and matching the veteran’s skill set with employment opportunities; business development as well as giving additional support for those in the armed forces (i.e. referring those to an agency who can assist with temporary financial relief of mortgage payments, etc.).
“Some veterans don’t realize how their capabilities in the military are transferable,” said Denise. “We can translate those skills onto their resumes.”
For instance, transferring the skills necessary to maintain a weapon, work together successfully on a mission, often times under extreme circumstances and conditions, and utilizing those leadership roles toward civilian job placement.
The Veterans Business Council consists of 25 Chamber members (all but one are veterans themselves and the one civilian is a veteran spouse) and connects veterans with the business community. They meet monthly, exploring ideas to assist veterans with their quest for employment, facilitating plans and events, bringing together the veteran employee with the ideal employer match within the community.
Also on the agenda is discussing initiatives for employers and prospective members to hire veterans.
“All of our members in the Council have such passion for helping and embrace every opportunity to support and find a fit in the big picture,” Denise said with a smile and immense pride. “It has also successfully completed its 2nd Annual 5K run this past fall at Hudson Park in Schuylerville. Runners in this year’s event doubled the amount of participants from last year, raising $10,000 in proceeds, all of which are placed in the Veterans Trust Fund for the County.”
Increasing visibility throughout the county is another goal for the Council as it gears up for a Hiring Conference in March. For this conference, the Council has reached out to its membership, devising a data base resource that pairs the veteran to an available position.
The ideas, dedication and determination to support our veterans will continue as the Veterans Business Council meets and becomes a larger presence within the community. If you are a vet or know a veteran who may need assistance, work for an area business, would like to become a volunteer and play a part in this mission, please contact Denise Romeo at the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce at (518) 584-3255 or visit their website www.saratoga.org and look for the Veterans Business Council link, or email Denise directly at dromeo@saratoga.org for further information.
Our service members have sacrificed for us. Let’s help them to become and remain active, prosperous individuals in our community. Thank you, as always, to our veterans, their families and loved ones for all that you do.