You are here: / / Brenda Dilts

  • Brenda Dilts

    Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> - Photo of class at a graduation ceremony.
Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> - Testimonials Icon

Brenda Dilts

Brenda Dilts

Brenda Dilts

Project OpportunitySM Instructor

Lead Instructor for Anne Arundel and Howard County

Brenda is originally from Omaha, NE and has traveled extensively throughout the US while serving in the Air Force. After a 24-year career Brenda retired from the Air Force in 2009 as a Senior Master Sergeant and entered private industry. During her military tenure, Brenda served, among other positions, as Unit First Sergeant, Regional Coordinator of a Counterdrug Support Program, and Non Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Joint Operation Center for the National Guard Bureau.  Brenda ended her military career as the NCOIC of Acquisitions, Technology, and Logistics Unit.

In the private sector, Brenda owns her own Business Consulting company, Next Step LLC, with the mission is to help early entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and implement policies, processes, and procedures that provide a solid foundation for day to day management, strategic planning and business growth. The Next Step vision is to help small businesses owners understand the business management side of owning and operating a business and to create sustainable and adaptable practices that allow the business to run smoothly while the actual work gets done.

Brenda also supports academic achievement as an adjunct professor at both the MBA and Community College level.  Prior to launching her own business in 2014, Brenda was the Director, IDIQ Program Management Office for Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Services, in Annapolis Maryland. Her role included managing multiple large-scale contracts and projects for DoD.  Prior to taking the directors position Brenda worked as the Small Business Program Manager and teaming coordinator where her role was to provide outreach and liaison between business units and potential small business partners.

Brenda joined Project OpportunitySM in 2013 as an instructor utilizing her military and civilian contracting experience, teaching, and working with small businesses to support future Veteran Entrepreneurs.

Brenda holds a Masters Degree in the Science of Administration. She has additional certifications in HR and Leadership and is an accredited Project Management Professional (PMP).  She has a Bachelors degree in Education from the University of Alaska. Brenda is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Project OpportunitySM - Class RegistrationClass Registration

We are currently accepting applications for upcoming Project OpportunitySM classes.

Register Today
Project Opportunity<sup>SM</sup> - Testimonials Icon

Program Testimonials

Over the years it has been my pleasure to not only support through letters but also as a participant at many of the graduations for Project OpportunitySM under the direction of Retired Master Sergeant Joe Giordano. The Program offers a second step towards an “after action” career for those retiring from or expecting to retire from our military. I have seen first hand many of the graduates go on to very successful entrepreneurial endeavors. I strongly encourage anyone who is interested in starting their own business and learning from a very talented core of professionals to contact Project Opportunity,” said Secretary George Owings, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.

Project OpportunitySM [PO] – The ultimate roadmap to planning your business. I had a catchy name. A good idea. A career with a Fortune 500 company. What I did not have was a plan to put it all together. 13 weeks later I had a plan and have never looked back. PO, like a roadmap guided me through everything from legal set up, to financial questions that I needed to ask myself. It gave me the opportunity to present my idea before successful business professionals and receive valuable feedback and insight. I was able to listen to others in the class discuss their ideas and learn from their experiences. I cannot count the number of times I have reviewed my initial PO plan just to confirm that I am on plan and on track. All this being said. The most impressive part of the Project was the enthusiasm and knowledge of the weekly guests who gave up their time to show their appreciation for a Vet. If you are seriously thinking of starting a business I cannot urge you enough the take this opportunity and make the most of it.

Author and encore to the entire Project OpportunitySM leadership team led by Founder, Joe Giordano and Tiffany Davis our instructor and the entire staff. My name is Paul Vann, Founder of Wealth Building Academy, LLC based in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

After being informed of Project OpportunitySM I wanted to be apart of something special because I was in the first class of veteran student in Prince George’s County and I wasn’t disappointed. What I enjoyed most about my experience in Project OpportunitySM was the comprehensive curriculum that provided an A-Z perspective and insight on entrepreneurship to current business owners like myself and prospective small business owners who participated in this amazing program.

Not only did Joe Giordano offer this second to none entrepreneurship program, he also ensured that attendees received in depth instruction from experts in the following industries: banking, marketing, legal, commercial insurance, accounting, website development, the SBA and much, much more.

I also developed an elevator pitch for my business. In the end Project OpportunitySM is a priceless program because I developed a business plan and financial plan for Wealth Building Academy, LLC that was reviewed and evaluated by local business experts and for this I’m grateful, thankful and my business is moving in the right direction because of this program. Thanks Joe and thanks Project OpportunitySM, you rock!

Project OpportunitySM helped boost my confidence in being a business owner at a time  when I was facing many challenges. Upon first thought, I wanted my initial brick and mortar business to be my exit strategy from my current employment. However, after going through the training I revised my business plan and realized that there was no way upon my first endeavor that was going to happen.

The course also helped with networking as I took great pleasure in hearing former graduates share their stories and I now realize how important it is to share my own.

I share this course every chance I get and also look for the day that I can be a sponsor to provide for a fellow Comrades scholarship.

Thank you Project Opportunity!

As a “Solo Vetrepreneur” the Project OpportunitySM workshop provided me with everything I needed  to build a strong foundation to get my business started of right! The workshop provided everything from self-assessment tools, to comprehensive business planning, financing options, e-commerce and business networking strategies and much more! I highly recommend the Project OpportunitySM workshop for any Veteran who has started, or is thinking about starting a business. It is well worth the investment!

Having had a 20-year radio broadcast career, I basically know the operation of commercial radio. what i didn’t know, however, was the business side of radio. enrolling, then subsequently graduating from PROJECT OPPORTUNITY in 2017, I , now , can speak with relative authority on business fundamentals. kudos to JOE GIORDANO  and his staff.

When I started  Project OpportunitySM, I could have been considered a serial entrepreneur. Project OpportunitySM helped me to take a realistic snapshot of my skillset, resources, and passion. As a result, I ventured out from my partnerships to start my consulting business that marries my knack solving problems with helping people to achieve their dreams. One of my clients is well on her way to owning a personal transportation fleet and expanding her service options after utilizing my services. Also, having the ability to flex between income streams has afforded me the opportunity to gross over $32K in my first full year on business. Joe Giordano and the Project OpportunitySM team has a program that promotes camaraderie and success.

© Project OpportunitySM. All Rights Reserved.