University Park, without. – Hazel Diaz, a veteran of the US Maritime Corps and an Alumna and Penn State, has been appointed director of the new Business Center for Veterans of Veterans (VBOC) in Penn State. The recent Open Center offers entrepreneurial development services to veterans, members of active duty, national guard members, reservists and military spouses throughout Commonwealth.
Penn State VBOC is the first VBOC of Pennsylvania focused only in Pennsylvania.
In this role, DIZ will oversee the center operations, consult with veterans entrepreneurs and bring efforts to connect Pennsylvania veterans, members of the transition service and military spouses with the resources and opportunities of enterprise.
“I am excited to join this initiative and continue to serve veterans throughout the Commonwealth, helping them achieve their entrepreneurial goals,” Diaz said. “Veterans bring unique skills and perspectives to the business world, and I am passionate about empowering them to succeed.”
Through its work in public politics, higher education and veterans advocacy, Diaz brings extensive experience by supporting veterans. As a manager of the NPR Storycorps Military Voice, she cultivated partnerships, managed programming and advocated for veterans and their stories. Recently, it served as an economic development analyst for Commonwealth in the Department of Pennsylvania of the Community and Economic Development (DCED), further demonstrating its commitment to the development and influence of the community.
“Hazel’s expertise and leadership will ensure that this center becomes a critical source for veterans throughout Pennsylvania,” said James Delatre, Associate Vice President and Director of the Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Office at Penn State.
The establishment of VBOC in Penn State was made possible through a competitive grant given by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). This grant will enable the University to provide entrepreneurial development services specially adapted for the needs of the veteran community of Pennsylvania.
“This partnership with Penn State reflects the SBA’s commitment to support veterans entrepreneurs,” said Kelly Hunt director SBA Pennsylvania. “We are excited to see Hazel bring her expertise and passion to this role, and we are confident that the center and hazel will be a transformative source for the veteran business community of Pennsylvania.”
About veterans’ business business centers
The Veterans Business Center (VBOC) Program is an US small business administration initiative led by its Veterans Business Development Office and includes across the country with 31 VBOC countries. This small business program contains a number of success stories and offers business plan workshops, concept assessments, mentoring and training for qualified veterans. Find your nearest center.
Regarding the administration of small business in the US
The small business administration in the US makes the American Business Ownership Dream a reality. As a single source and the only voice for small businesses backed by the Federal Government force, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses with the resources and support they need to start, increase, or expand their businesses, or recover from a disaster. It provides services through a wide network of SBA offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.