Deerwood Technologies recently completed the Veteran Institute Procurement (VIP) GROW Program, a comprehensive training and certification program that helps veteran-owned businesses strengthen their ability to win government contracts and do business with both military and civilian agencies they once served in uniform.
On June 22, 2017, Deerwood Technologies was one of 49 businesses from 15 states and the District of Columbia to graduate from the Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP) GROW Program.
After completing the VIP Start program in April 2016, this seemed like the next logical step for Jim Mayne, owner at Deerwood Technologies. “The VIP program has helped us grow our public sector client base to complement our commercial business, giving us an advantage that most IT Solutions and Managed Security Services Providers don’t possess,” said Mayne.
Jim served in the US Navy in Pensacola, Florida from 1976-1980, after which he worked for major financial institutions in Minneapolis, Minnesota before establishing Deerwood Technologies in 2006. He also enlisted briefly as a US Navy reservist with the Naval Intelligence Processing System Support Activity from 1986-1988.
The first program of its kind in the nation, VIP GROW is conducted by specialists in the essentials necessary to win government contracts: law, accounting, insurance, human resources, marketing, and proposals. It also provides participants with access to Federal and prime contracting executives along with a national network of veteran owned small businesses that they can team with on opportunities.
Since its launch in 2009, VIP GROW has helped 727 service-disabled and veteran-owned small businesses grow. This three-day, 27-hour comprehensive certification program has volunteer instructors and is provided at no cost to participants; being fully funded by the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation, partners, and VIP sponsors.
“We are honored to give back to the men and women who served our country by providing them with the tools necessary to succeed as government contractors,” said Barbara Ashe, President of the Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation. “We hope this training fosters their success as businesses and employers.”
For additional info about the VIP program visit www.NationalVip.org.