2026 Distinguished Service Awards
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | 8:30 - 10:30 am
Army Navy Country Club (1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202)
Our Distinguished Service Awards honor
veterans and those who serve them.
Celebrate those who dedicate their lives to service at the 2026 Distinguished Service Awards. Join us on May 14, 2026, at 8:30 am at the Army Navy Country Club for an opportunity to honor the veteran leaders, changemakers, and organizations making a real impact across the Greater Washington Region.
We will proudly recognize:
- Exceptional veteran-owned businesses
- Nonprofit service organizations
- Standout veteran employees
- Veteran employee resource groups
Experience this special event that includes a powerful program, an inspiring keynote address, and unparalleled networking with mission-driven leaders. Be part of a ceremony that uplifts those who embody a lifetime of commitment and contribution.
2026 Distinguished Service Awards sponsorship opportunities are now available. Contact NVC Investor Relations Manager Jocelyn Park for more information.
Registration Details
Table of 10
NVC Members: $750
Non-Members: $950
Table of 5
Member: $385
Non-Member: $490
Individual Tickets
Member: $80
Non-Member: $100
2026 Keynote Speaker
2026 Distinguished Service Awards
Award Categories
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)
Lifetime Distinguished Service Award
Pinakin Patel
Chief Executive Officer
Kentro
Veteran Advocate of the Year
Fletcher Gill
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Luke's Wings
Veteran Employee of the Year
Larry Johnson
Technical Project Manager
Riverside Research
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.
Organization of the Year (<$1 million annual budget)
Organization of the Year (>$1 million annual budget)
Veteran Employee Resource Groups of the Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When/where will the awards be presented?
A: The Distinguished Service Awards will be presented on Thursday, May 14, 2025 from 8:30 - 10:30 am at the Army Navy Country Club.
Q: Can I get a free / discounted ticket to attend the event?
A: Members of NVC (and their employees) may register at the member rate.
Past Honorees
2025 Keynote Speaker: Jared Shepard, CEO, Hypori
As CEO of Hypori, founder and Chairman of Intelligent Waves, and the founder and Chairman of Warriors Ethos, Jared Shepard is focused on serving defense and enterprise organizations and bettering the nation through innovative solutions and philanthropic efforts. With more than two decades of information technology, federal services, and sales experience, Shepard is at the forefront of protecting the privacy and security of organizations’ most sensitive information at the edge.
2024 Keynote Speaker: The Honorable James D. Rodriguez
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: 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.
Veteran Employee Resource Group
Honoring a Veteran Employee Resource Group that has made a meaningful impact on their company and/or the community in support and service of Veterans.
2024 Veteran Advocate of the Year Award: Andrea Inserra
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.
Veteran Employee of the Year
- 2025: Cedric George, MetroStar
- 2024: Hayward Trapps, ThinkTek LLC
- 2023: Danielle Applegate, IT Concepts and Tom Downs, Diversity and Military Talent Acquisition, Booz Allen Hamilton
- 2022: John Quackenbush, JHNA and Tyler Sweatt, SecondFront
- 2021: Tim Bayliss, Government Tactical Solutions and Charles Miles, PenFed Credit Union
- 2020: Bonnie Tavolazzi, Echo Five Group
- 2019: Gene Hammond, iDirect Government and Herbert Valle, Axiologic Solutions LLC
Veteran Service Organization of the Year > Under $1 Million Annual Budget
- 2025: Women Veterans Interactive Foundation
- 2024: Platoon 22
- 2023: NVSBC Education Foundation (NVSBC-EF)
- 2022: Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
- 2021: Our Military Kids
- 2020: Boulder Crest Foundation
- 2019: Operation Second Chance
Veteran Service Organization of the Year > Over $1 million Annual Budget:
- 2025: The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
- 2024: Dog Tag Inc.
- 2023: Hope For The Warriors
- 2022: Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund
- 2021: Our Military Kids
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Emerging Business (Less than 5 Years in Business)
-
2025: ZeroMils
-
2024: RoDa Business Solutions
- 2023: Phalanx
- 2022: Coforma
- 2020: Echo Five Group
- 2019: RavenTech
- 2018: Honor Brewing Company
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Maturing (5-10 Years in Business)
- 2025: Sherpa 6
- 2024: SteerBridge
- 2023: Forge Group
- 2022: PingWind, Inc.
- 2021: Aptive Resources
- 2020: IT Veterans
- 2019: OBXTech, Inc.
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year > Established (More than 10 Years in Business)
- 2025: Kentro
- 2024: Intelligent Waves
- 2023: ThunderCat Technology
- 2022: Prescient Edge Corporation
- 2021: Intelligent Waves
- 2020: HigherEchelon, Inc.
- 2019: Intelligent Waves
- 2018: ThunderCat Technology



















































































