ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY FALL 2013 CLASS – Consulting, Training, and Development Services partnered with The Annapolis Economic Development Corporation to provide Project Opportunity^SM to veterans in the Annapolis Maryland area. The Orientation Session was conducted on August 13, 2013 with a total of twenty four veterans in attendance. Twenty of the veterans at the Orientation Session indicated a desire to move forward to the next screening process, the telephonic assessment. . After the completion of the telephonic screening assessments a total of 14 veterans were accepted into the program. One veteran had to withdraw prior to the start of classes due to scheduling conflict. Here is a summary of their business ventures:

• Veterans Placement Services
• Mobile Personal Training
• IT Security
• Vehicle Window Tinting
• Pharmacy for Seniors Service
• Shelter for Women
• T Shirts/Graphic Design
• Diver Propulsion System
• Website Development
• Dog Spa/Kennel
• Mobile Device Repair Service
• Machine Embroidery
• Nanny Care Service

Classes started on September 10, 2013 at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. The Annapolis Economic Development Corporation partnered with us on this project by coordinating the scheduling of subject matters experts and guest speakers.

The Graduation Ceremony was held on November 19, 2013 and eleven (11) proud veterans graduated the initial Annapolis Class. A total of eleven (11) proud veterans completed and graduated from this initial class in the Annapolis Maryland area. One veteran relocated before the course completed. Those business ventures that these graduating veterans are seeking to start or expand are:

• Veterans Placement Services (Getting Vets Employed)
• IT Security Consulting
• Diabetes Pharmacy Services
• Shelter for Women
• T Shirts/Graphic Design
• Diver Propulsion System
• Fluck It (Youth website)
• Dog Spa/Kennel
• Mobile Device Repair Service
• Machine Embroidery
• Nanny Care for Single Mom Veterans

Major Robert Dyer, active duty Marine Corps instructor at the US Naval Academy was the guest speaker. Dyer founded his company, San Diego-based Noots! Nutrition, in 2008, drawing on his experience in a modern war waged under vastly different conditions than prior conflicts, requiring new technologies, weapons and skillsets along with increased energy, endurance and nutrition. One of his company’s first products is RuckPack, a concentrated liquid energy shot of essential vitamins and minerals, without caffeine. Dyer developed RuckPack under battlefield conditions to help weary troops recover quickly from fatigue and dehydration with minimal down time under stressful conditions.