2008 Virginia SBDC Small Business Veteran of the Year

DATE:             March 24, 2009

AWARD:         “LOUDOUN BUSINESSMAN NAMED SMALL BUSINESS VETERAN OF THE YEAR”

CONTACT:     Cathy Campbell (703) 430-7222

Sterling, VA..........Bernie Dunn, President and CEO of BJD Tel-Comm, a defense contracting business in Ashburn, has been selected as the Virginia SBDC 2008 Small Business Veteran of the Year. The award was established by the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network (VSBDC) in 2000 to recognize and salute veteran entrepreneurs who give their time and dedication not only to their business but to their community and country. Each SBDC in Virginia selects a local nominee for the state competition. Jody Keenan, VSBDC Director, presented the state award plaque at the Loudoun SBDC’s March 10 “Building Business Together” event at The George Washington University, Virginia Campus in Ashburn. In addition, the name of the state winner is inscribed on an urn permanently displayed at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia.

As Robin Suomi, Executive Director of the Loudoun SBDC, explained at the March 10 gathering, Bernie Dunn was exposed to Agent Orange during his tour as a Marine in Vietnam. It left him totally blind for a period of 135 days. His doctors had told him he would never see again, but through faith, determination and 22 surgeries, Bernie regained 20/20 vision in his right eye. He remains convinced that his faith was the key to his miraculous recovery.

Among many subsequent accomplishments, Bernie has successfully helped 25 disabled vets to receive benefits to which they are entitled. When the Loudoun SBDC asked him to speak at its annual “Selling to the Government” seminar, Bernie asked only, “Where and what time should I be there?” At least six attendees subsequently contacted him for further guidance, and Bernie gladly assisted all of them. He now serves as a Loudoun SBDC volunteer counselor, meeting one-on-one regarding government contracting. Ms.Suomi expressed thanks on behalf of the Loudoun Center and the Virginia SBDC network for Mr. Dunn’s sense of duty to fellow veterans and Loudoun entrepreneurs.

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