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Honoring those who have made meaningful contributions to help Veterans succeed. 

The 2024 Distinguished Service Awards Event will be held on September 17th, 8:30-10:30AM, at the Army Navy Country Club.
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2024 DSA Honorees, Winners, & Finalists
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Our annual awards celebrate

Veterans In Business

2024 DSA Finalists
2024 Award Categories
2023 Keynote Speaker
DSA Sponsors
Award FAQs

2020 Sponsors

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact John Woodstock, Director, Member Engagement at jwoodstock@novachamber.org



ManTech
Cox
Unique within our business community, military veterans have innovated and created more enduring, impactful businesses than any other industry in America. In recognition of their sacrifices and ongoing contributions critical to our community's strength and stability, the Chamber hosts the Distinguished Service Awards, the Greater Washington Region's preeminent event honoring the leadership and contributions to veteran success demonstrated by veteran-owned businesses within the Greater Washington business community. Along with an elite keynote speaker, DSA winners are showcased at a powerful morning ceremony that draws a who's who of military and veteran business leaders. To celebrate our finalists and awardees, join us on September 17th at the Army Navy Country Club at 8:30AM.
Military veterans stand out for their exceptional ability to innovate and develop enduring, impactful businesses, more than any other entrepreneurs in America. NVC hosts the Distinguished Service Awards, a premier event in the Greater Washington Region celebrating the leadership and prosperity of veteran-owned businesses. Along with an elite keynote speaker, DSA winners are showcased at a powerful morning ceremony that draws a who's who of military and veteran business leaders. Join us at the Army Navy Country Club on September 17th at 8:30AM to honor our finalists and awardees.


TIME: November 9th, 8-9:30 AM

LOCATION: Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Drive Arlington, VA 22202

REGISTER: Register here.

2023 DSA Honorees

2023 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Linda Singh, Major General (Retired), Founder & CEO, Kaleidoscope Affect, LLC.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 and we can’t think of a better choice to deliver this year’s keynote address. Dr. Singh dedicated 38 years of service to the Maryland National Guard and retired as a Major General. After holding several senior executive-level positions in our region, Dr. Singh founded and is the CEO of Kaleidoscope Affect where she provides leadership and management consulting as well as strategic advisory services for a variety of public and private sector clients. Dr. Singh personally mentors, coaches, and speaks on leadership, diversity, adversity, career transition, and issues that plague women and veterans in the workplace.

2023 DSA Honorees

2023 Keynote Speaker

Dr. Linda Singh, Major General (Retired), Founder & CEO, Kaleidoscope Affect, LLC.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 and we can’t think of a better choice to deliver this year’s keynote address. Dr. Singh dedicated 38 years of service to the Maryland National Guard and retired as a Major General. After holding several senior executive-level positions in our region, Dr. Singh founded and is the CEO of Kaleidoscope Affect where she provides leadership and management consulting as well as strategic advisory services for a variety of public and private sector clients. Dr. Singh personally mentors, coaches, and speaks on leadership, diversity, adversity, career transition, and issues that plague women and veterans in the workplace.

2024 Keynote Speaker

Honorable James D. Rodriguez, U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service

The Honorable James D. Rodriguez is the U.S. Department of Labor’s Assistant Secretary for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service.  He is an executive leader and proud veteran with over 30 years of experience in the U.S. government, corporate sector, and the United States Marine Corps – where he served for 21 years on active duty.  His recent executive experience includes leadership roles at Deloitte and BAE Systems. He also previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Office of Warrior Care Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2014 through 2017. 

2024 Lifetime Service Award Honoree

Each year, the Chamber honors a Veteran with the Lifetime Achievement Award who, through action and influence, has continued to serve others resulting in an extraordinarily positive impact on the Veteran Business Community in the National Capital Region. We are proud to announce the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Glenn Yarborough, President and Chief Executive Officer of WGY & Associates, LLC!

Glenn Yarborough is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran having served in Armor and Cavalry units for 27 years. His last assignment in uniform was Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition. Glenn retired as a Colonel, commenced his next career as a defense industry executive and has a history of selfless service as a decorated veteran with a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

All who know Glenn know that he has unbounded energy and spends almost every waking moment thinking about what can be done for the betterment of our soldiers and families. Glenn’s achievements and contributions are too many to list but here is a just a sampling of his work within the region: served on the Board of Directors of Carleton Technologies, Airbus Defense and Space, Hinz Consulting, and Ricardo Defense, and currently serves on the Board of Easter Seals, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Friends of the McLean Community Center, McLean Chamber of Commerce, National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Foundation (Vice Chair), The United States Cavalry Association (Chairman) and the Board of Advisors of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Thomas J. Donohue 

Thomas J. Donohue served as president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce from 1997 to 2019, where he reinvigorated the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which houses Hiring Our Heroes, a program that identifies job opportunities for returning veterans and military spouses. Under Donohue’s leadership, HOH partnered with Capital One to launch the Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign. Through this initiative, more than 2,000 businesses of all sizes and industries hired more than 500,000 veterans and military spouses. 

2024 Veteran Advocate of the Year Award

Andrea Inserra, MBA, Executive Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton

Andrea Inserra, Executive Vice President, is a market leader for Booz Allen Hamilton’s aerospace business, serving clients in the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and NASA. Andrea chaired the firm’s Military and Veterans Business Resource Group, which serves veterans and military families by providing best-in-class benefits, partnering with nonprofits, and volunteering in the community. She transformed the firm’s approach to supporting veterans and military spouses, coordinating external and internal support for veteran employees and key military nonprofits, presiding over the creation of the nation’s first Military Spouse Business Resource Group, and sponsoring the creation of a new Military and Veterans Affairs function at the firm, which led to the formal integration of the firm’s philanthropic, employee engagement and recruiting initiatives for the military community. Andrea currently serves on the board of directors for the Armed Services YMCA, a nonprofit that supports enlisted military members and their families. Previously, Andrea served on the boards of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and the Board of Advisors, Elizabeth Dole Foundation for Military Families and Caregivers.

Each year, the Chamber honors a Veteran with the Lifetime Achievement Award who, through action and influence, has continued to serve others resulting in an extraordinarily positive impact on the Veteran Business Community in the National Capital Region. We are proud to announce the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Glenn Yarborough, President and Chief Executive Officer of WGY & Associates, LLC!

Glenn Yarborough is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran having served in Armor and Cavalry units for 27 years. His last assignment in uniform was Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition. Glenn retired as a Colonel, commenced his next career as a defense industry executive and has a history of selfless service as a decorated veteran with a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

All who know Glenn know that he has unbounded energy and spends almost every waking moment thinking about what can be done for the betterment of our soldiers and families. Glenn’s achievements and contributions are too many to list but here is a just a sampling of his work within the region: served on the Board of Directors of Carleton Technologies, Airbus Defense and Space, Hinz Consulting, and Ricardo Defense, and currently serves on the Board of Easter Seals, So Others Might Eat (SOME), Friends of the McLean Community Center, McLean Chamber of Commerce, National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Foundation (Vice Chair), The United States Cavalry Association (Chairman) and the Board of Advisors of the Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

2024 Veteran Employee Resource Group

RTXVets. RTX leverages its Employee Resource Group (ERG), RTXVETS, to provide support for the armed forces community, which includes military members, veterans, families, and supporters. Over 8,000 volunteer hours were contributed by RTX VETS members in 2024 to serve veterans through internal and external initiatives. To promote professional growth, a new mentorship program named VAALOR was introduced this year, resulting in the creation of 710 unique relationships between employees.

2024 Distinguished Service Award Finalists

Veteran Employee of the Year

  • Joe Simonelli, Energy Systems Group
  • Hayward Trapps. ThinkTek LLC - WINNER

Veteran Service Organization of the Year > Under $1 Million Annual Budget

  • George Washington Chapter AUSA
  • Platoon 22 - WINNER
  • Resolve Solutions Incorporated

Veteran Service Organization of the Year > Over $1 million Annual Budget:

  • Dog Tag Inc. - WINNER
  • Code of Support Foundation
  • Easterseals DC MD VA
  • NVSBC Education Foundation (NVSBC-EF)
  • The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Emerging Business (Less than 5 Years in Business)

  • Affinity BN Inc
  • BES Solutions Inc.
  • RoDa Business Solutions - WINNER
  • Velos Solutions, LLC

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Maturing (5-10 Years in Business)

  • Black Cape, Inc.
  • SteerBridge Strategies LLC - WINNER
  • The Avery Group, LLC.
  • ThinkTek LLC
  • Zermount Inc.

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Established (More than 10 Years in Business)

  • D&G Support Services LLC
  • Government Tactical Solutions
  • HigherEchelon, Inc.
  • Intelligent Waves - WINNER
  • MicroHealth, LLC
Thank You To Our Annual Partners

Premier Partners

Elite Partners

Business Partners

Veteran-Owned Business of the Year

Honoring successful veteran-owned businesses in the National Capital Region that have demonstrated strong business performance.
Awards are given for: 

Emerging Business (<5 years in business)
Maturing Business (between 5 & 10 years in business)
Established Business (>10 years in business)

2021 VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, FINALISTS

Maturing:

  • Aptive Resources - Winner
  • Building Momentum
  • David T Scott & Associates, LLC (DTS)
  • GCubed Enterprises, Inc.
  • Government Tactical Solutions

Established:

  • Intelligent Waves LLC - Winner
  • IT Veterans, LLC
  • ManTech International
  • Precise Systems, Inc.
  • Wendroff & Associates, CPA

Veteran Employee of the Year

Honoring a Veteran employee (not an equity holder in the business) who has made a meaningful impact to their company and/or the community in support and service of Veterans and/or Veteran families in the National Capital Region.

2021 VETERAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR:

  • Charles Miles, PenFed Credit Union - Winner
  • Tim Bayliss, Government Tactical Solutions - Winner

Veteran Service Organization of the Year

Honoring a non-profit organization that has had an exemplary impact in service to Veterans, their families, and/or Veteran-Owned businesses in the National Capital Region.

2021 VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Our Military Kids - Winner

Veteran Employee Resource Group of the Year

Honoring a Veteran Employee Resource Group who has made meaningful impact to their company and/or the community in support and service of Veterans.

2021 VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR: Our Military Kids - Winner

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When/where will the awards be presented?
A: The Distinguished Service Awards will be presented on at the Army Navy Country Club, September 17th, from 8:30-10:30AM
 
Q: Can I get a free / discounted ticket to attend the event?
A: Members of the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (and their employees) may register at the member rate.
 
Q. Can we nominate our own company/organization?
A: Absolutely! Use this link to submit your application by June 28th.

Thank you to our DSA Event Sponsors

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