Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Veterans Independence Day: New Tools & Solutions Launched in 12 U.S. Cities to Help Veterans Access Small Business Opportunities - msnbc.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As July 4 approaches, with unemployment rates for some groups of veterans hovering over 18 percent, Furniture Medic, the International Franchise Association (IFA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative will launch new tools and resources June 28, 2012 in 12 cities to help veterans access opportunities in small business ownership and employment including a new free online Veterans Franchise Toolkit and a new Mentor Network to connect veterans to business leaders and jobs.

A Dallas, Texas launch event including IFA, VFW and business leaders will take place June 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at FastSigns located at 7017 John Carpenter Freeway. Contact Stacy Rubenstein at srubenstein@fishmanpr.comor 847-945-1300 to RSVP.

Speaker:Ron Pierce, Furniture Medic owner Wichita Dallas, Texas

The Veterans Franchise (VetFran) Toolkit is designed to foster access to franchise employment and ownership opportunities for U.S. veterans and military spouses. The franchise industry has committed to hiring as team members and recruiting as franchise business owners 75,000 veterans and military spouses, plus 5,000 wounded warriors. Over 6,200 veterans and spouses have started careers in franchising since the campaign launched last year.

The VetFran Toolkit includes a Franchising 101 online course, a skills and attributes assessment, a finance assessment, and partner links. U.S. military veterans and spouses will also be able to access the VetFran Mentor Network and be connected to franchise business leaders through the Toolkit. The franchise leaders comprising the Mentor Network will share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with veterans in addition to any other professional guidance they are comfortable giving.

The VetFran Mentor Network Advisory Board will lead the volunteer network, including:

Gordon Logan, Founder & CEO, Sport Clips, Inc. (Chairman) (USAF)Melanie Bergeron, Chair of the Board, Two Men & A TruckSean Collins, Vice President, GI Jobs and MilitaryFranchising.com (USN)Jerry Darnell, Darnell & Associates (US Army)Ted Daywalt, President & CEO, VetJobs.com (USN)Chuck Southern, VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business UtilizationGreg Tanner, National Director of Franchise Sales, Aaron's (US Army)Mary Kennedy Thompson, President & CEO, Mr. Rooter (USMC)Bob Wallace, Executive Director, The Veterans of Foreign Wars (USMC)

Skills testing firm Caliper Corporation, and BoeFly, the online finance marketplace, contributed services at no charge to power the Toolkit.

With its training, structure, systems and focus on operational excellence, franchising can provide an ideal career path for returning veterans to become leaders in the civilian economy. According to the U.S. Census, there are over 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. IFA's VetFran strategic initiative was launched in 1991 to help Gulf War veterans transition.

"As we continue to work hard each and every day to extend career opportunities to our nation's veterans, we commend our members who are participating in the VetFran Toolkit launch events and volunteering in the VetFran Mentor Network – they are setting the right example for our industry and our entire nation," said Steve Caldeira, CFE, IFA's President & CEO. "As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember that our freedom comes at a price. Now we need to enable our nation's veterans to fulfill their dreams and find career opportunities here at home."

Launch events will also take place in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Miami/South Florida, Minneapolis, Nashville, Norfolk, Austin, San Diego, Tampa-St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit www.VetFran.com .

About Furniture Medic

Furniture Medic, a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, is one of the world's largest furniture repair and restoration companies and has established a reputation for excellence unmatched in the industry. Our success is rooted in our dedication to providing customers with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality service. Our expertise is unsurpassed and workmanship is guaranteed. For more information about Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedic.com.

Contact:
Gina Kamler
901-597-1380
gina.kamler@servicemaster.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

http://www.cisionwire.com/furniture-medic/r/veterans-independence-day--new-tools---solutions-launched-in-12-u-s--cities-to-help-veterans-access-,c9277136

The following files are available for download:

© Copyright 2012, GlobeNewswire, Inc. All Rights Reserved

View the original article here

Franchise loans --Veterans franchise loans - Franchise business Fraud

If you are seeking franchise loans to finance a purchase of a franchise license, you need to be aware of how franchise frauds and franchise scams work. You might need to prepare your bankruptcy papers at the same time you apply for the franchise loan!

Posted by a franchise churning victim.

Franchise fraud is defined by the FBI as a pyramid scheme. http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud

Franchise opportunities for veterans may be nothing more than a discount on Franchise scams and Franchise churning.

Franchising for veterans may be churning franchises that use Secret gag orders and secret non-disclosure documents in addition to coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits to keep their scams going.

If you are seeking business grants for military veterans be very careful of franchise churning!

Franchises enrolled in a veterans franchise program may be a franchise churning operation that uses extensive gag orders, non-disclosure documents, and coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits.

The steps to Franchise Fraud include:
1. Secrecy due to extensive non-disclosures and Gag orders
2. Making sure you are broke before you are coerced into secrecy.
3. Threat of a frivolous lawsuit to coerce you to sign a Franchise Termination agreement
A Franchise Termination Agreement includes
a) A "script" you must tell future franchise fraud victims, to keep the Franchise Fraud a secret.
b) That you volunteer to outrageous terms that are untrue, such as unpaid future royalties (which were never mentioned in your Franchise Agreement).
c) You "volunteer" to transfer the failed franchise, so the franchisor will not have to report it as a failure in the UFOC.
d) The coerced "agreement" lasts forever.

Posted around Memorial Day 2012 by a franchise churning victim.

http://veteransfranchises.blogspot.com/p/franchise-financing-beware-how-to.html

View the original article here

Veterans Business Opportunities - franchise scams - franchise frauds

Veterans Business Opportunities beware of franchise scams and franchise frauds.
Franchise fraud is defined by the FBI as a pyramid scheme. http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud
A discount on a scam is still a scam.
Franchise opportunities for veterans may be nothing more than a discount on Franchise scams and Franchise churning.
Franchises for veterans may look appealing, but do serious research in the internet.
Franchising for veterans may be churning franchises that use Secret gag orders and secret non-disclosure documents in addition to coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits to keep their scams going.
If you are seeking business grants for military veterans be very careful of franchise churning!
Franchises enrolled in a veterans franchise program may be a franchise churning operation that uses extensive gag orders, non-disclosure documents, and coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits.
The steps to Franchise Fraud include:
1. Secrecy due to extensive non-disclosures and Gag orders
2. Making sure you are broke before you are coerced into secrecy.
3. Threat of a frivolous lawsuit to coerce you to sign a Franchise Termination agreement
A Franchise Termination Agreement includes
a) A "script" you must tell future franchise fraud victims, to keep the Franchise Fraud a secret.
b) That you volunteer to outrageous terms that are untrue, such as unpaid future royalties (which were never mentioned in your Franchise Agreement).
c) You "volunteer" to transfer the failed franchise, so the franchisor will not have to report it as a failure in the UFOC.
d) The coerced "agreement" lasts forever.

Posted on Memorial Day 2012 by a franchise churning victim to protect military veterans from Franchise fraud and Franchise churning targeted by franchise pyramid schemes disguised as veterans franchise business opportunities.
http://veteransfranchises.blogspot.com/p/franchise-scams.html

http://veteransfranchises.blogspot.com/p/franchise-financing-beware-how-to.html

View the original article here

Franchise loans --Veterans franchise loans - Franchise business Fraud

If you are seeking franchise loans to finance a purchase of a franchise license, you need to be aware of how franchise frauds and franchise scams work. You might need to prepare your bankruptcy papers at the same time you apply for the franchise loan!

Posted by a franchise churning victim.

Franchise fraud is defined by the FBI as a pyramid scheme. http://www.fbi.gov/scams-safety/fraud

Franchise opportunities for veterans may be nothing more than a discount on Franchise scams and Franchise churning.

Franchising for veterans may be churning franchises that use Secret gag orders and secret non-disclosure documents in addition to coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits to keep their scams going.

If you are seeking business grants for military veterans be very careful of franchise churning!

Franchises enrolled in a veterans franchise program may be a franchise churning operation that uses extensive gag orders, non-disclosure documents, and coercive threats of frivolous lawsuits.

The steps to Franchise Fraud include:
1. Secrecy due to extensive non-disclosures and Gag orders
2. Making sure you are broke before you are coerced into secrecy.
3. Threat of a frivolous lawsuit to coerce you to sign a Franchise Termination agreement
A Franchise Termination Agreement includes
a) A "script" you must tell future franchise fraud victims, to keep the Franchise Fraud a secret.
b) That you volunteer to outrageous terms that are untrue, such as unpaid future royalties (which were never mentioned in your Franchise Agreement).
c) You "volunteer" to transfer the failed franchise, so the franchisor will not have to report it as a failure in the UFOC.
d) The coerced "agreement" lasts forever.

Posted around Memorial Day 2012 by a franchise churning victim.

View the original article here

Massachusetts Senate plans to unveil bill to aid veterans

Veterans and their families would have greater access to education, small business opportunities and housing options under legislation to be unveiled by the Senate on Tuesday.

Dubbed the “VALOR Act,” the bill would give increased opportunities to military families, according to a spokesman for Senate President Therese Murray, who confirmed the Senate’s work on the bill and said more details would be disclosed at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, chaired by Sen. Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) and Rep. James Vallee (D-Franklin), released a veterans’ rights bill earlier this month and word began circulating around the capitol Monday that the bill could be on the move in the Senate.

The latest version of the bill is coming from the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate could consider the bill as quickly as Thursday during a planned formal session.

“It is legislation to increase access to a range of services for veterans, active military and their families,” David Falcone, a spokesman for Murray, told the News Service Monday.

Rush could not be reached for comment, and several aides declined to discuss the legislation.

Lawmakers are believed to be basing the veterans’ rights bill off of the valor act (S 2193) dealing with access, livelihood, opportunity and resource issues facing veterans. The bill was released from the Veterans Affairs Committee on April 2 and referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Returning service men and women face a host of problems, including high rates of unemployment and difficulty finding affordable housing, veterans’ advocates say. With more than 385,000 veterans living in Massachusetts, including 37,000 men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2011, the state has been taking steps to prepare for an influx of new, younger veterans.

"This war has been different in that there has been an unprecedented reliance on the guard and reserve, and men and women in our guard are doing five, six, seven deployments," Murray said in January. "We need to make sure employers, family members, neighbors are there to support in a variety of different ways. Our schools, in particular, for kids who have had parents doing multiple deployments worrying whether mom and dad are going to come home."

Murray plans to hold a 2 p.m. press conference in the Senate Reading Room Tuesday.

Veterans and their families would have greater access to education, small business opportunities and housing options under legislation to be unveiled by the Senate on Tuesday.

Dubbed the “VALOR Act,” the bill would give increased opportunities to military families, according to a spokesman for Senate President Therese Murray, who confirmed the Senate’s work on the bill and said more details would be disclosed at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, chaired by Sen. Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) and Rep. James Vallee (D-Franklin), released a veterans’ rights bill earlier this month and word began circulating around the capitol Monday that the bill could be on the move in the Senate.

The latest version of the bill is coming from the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The Senate could consider the bill as quickly as Thursday during a planned formal session.

“It is legislation to increase access to a range of services for veterans, active military and their families,” David Falcone, a spokesman for Murray, told the News Service Monday.

Rush could not be reached for comment, and several aides declined to discuss the legislation.

Lawmakers are believed to be basing the veterans’ rights bill off of the valor act (S 2193) dealing with access, livelihood, opportunity and resource issues facing veterans. The bill was released from the Veterans Affairs Committee on April 2 and referred to Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Returning service men and women face a host of problems, including high rates of unemployment and difficulty finding affordable housing, veterans’ advocates say. With more than 385,000 veterans living in Massachusetts, including 37,000 men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2011, the state has been taking steps to prepare for an influx of new, younger veterans.

"This war has been different in that there has been an unprecedented reliance on the guard and reserve, and men and women in our guard are doing five, six, seven deployments," Murray said in January. "We need to make sure employers, family members, neighbors are there to support in a variety of different ways. Our schools, in particular, for kids who have had parents doing multiple deployments worrying whether mom and dad are going to come home."

Murray plans to hold a 2 p.m. press conference in the Senate Reading Room Tuesday.

View the original article here

McKesson Wins $31.6 Billion Veterans Agency Drug Contract - Bloomberg

McKesson Corp. (MCK) won a Department of Veterans Affairs drug contract valued at as much as $31.6 billion over as many as eight years, the agency said in a statement today.

The San Francisco-based company has been the VA’s primary medicine supplier for veterans hospitals and the department’s mail-order pharmacies since 2004. McKesson, the largest U.S. drug distributor based on revenue, has received as much as $27 billion in orders under the current contract.

It beat Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH), based in Dublin, Ohio, and the Valley Forge, Pennsylvania-based AmerisourceBergen Corp. (ABC) for the new contract.

The agreement “will provide an overall savings to the government of approximately $3.26 billion,” according to the VA statement posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website.

McKesson shares rose as much as 4.7 percent to $91.99 in late trading. The shares had risen 13 percent this year before today’s announcement.

VA officials had hoped to award the new contract by the end of March, according to a December letter from Eric Shinseki, the VA secretary, to a U.S. lawmaker. The award was delayed after two small businesses challenged the VA’s decision to exclude small businesses from the new drug contract.

The Government Accountability Office, which arbitrates contract disputes, denied one protest on April 6. The second company withdrew its GAO protest on April 9, though it also filed a separate challenge with the department.

McKesson is “extremely pleased” to continue its work as the VA’s primary drug supplier, John Hammergren, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

“We are confident in our ability to meet the VA’s growing needs over the term of our relationship, and in the process create significant value for the VA and for McKesson’s shareholders,” he said.

Josh Taylor, a VA spokesman, didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

Congress and the VA’s inspector general are investigating illegal spending through the current contract with McKesson, which is also used by other agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and the Indian Health Service.

VA officials have said the McKesson contract was used to make as much as $1.2 billion in unauthorized and potentially illegal purchases that weren’t explicitly covered by the agreement. The items bought included generic drugs, condoms and sunscreen.

W. Scott Gould, a deputy VA secretary, told lawmakers at a February hearing that some of the spending was illegal. Agency staff didn’t always seek competitive bids for some items bought from McKesson, as required by federal acquisition regulations, he said.

McKesson abided by the terms of the contract, Gould said.

Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen spokesmen didn’t immediately respond to e-mails and phone calls seeking comment.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kathleen Miller in Washington at kmiller01@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephanie Stoughton at sstoughton@bloomberg.net

View the original article here

Visclosky to host job, opportunities fair for veterans - NWI.com

GARY | U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., will host a Veterans' Opportunities Fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Savannah Center Gym at Indiana University Northwest, 3400 Broadway.

The fair will bring together employers, health care organizations, housing assistance providers, and financial services providers, with the goal of providing military veterans information on the support available to them from federal agencies and veterans services organizations and to alert them to local job opportunities.

Job seekers will have access to employers and labor groups throughout Northwest Indiana, as well as two 30-minute workshops at noon and 1 p.m., "Demilitarizing Your Resume," guided by veteran representatives from WorkOne.

Housing assistance and financial service providers will also be available to answer any questions. Local institutes of higher learning will be on hand, according to a news release.

Veterans with health care or benefits questions may attend presentations from the Veterans Health Administration and the Veterans Benefits Administration beginning at 11 a.m. This event is open to the public and registration is not required.

For more information, visit www.visclosky.house.gov or call (219) 795-1844.

View the original article here

The Cleaning Authority Doesn't Think Returning Veterans Should Have to Fight to Find Great Business Opportunities

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Cleaning Authority (TCA) announced an exciting new offer for all qualified armed forces veterans—a full 50% off The Cleaning Authority's initial franchise fee.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120228/PH61328 )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110119/PH32052LOGO )

This is something The Cleaning Authority is proud to offer, and they also believe it is good business.

"As a veteran myself, I fully understand the importance of serving my country, and I can't accept the fact that so many of our fine, highly-trained, highly-qualified veterans are having difficulty finding success when they return to the business world," says Allen Thrift, Senior VP of The Cleaning Authority, and proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

"We believe we have a lot to offer with our franchise opportunity, and that these people also have a lot to offer us," he added.

The discount is simple. When you qualify as a franchisee, the Initial Franchise Fee will be reduced by 50% for all qualified veterans, former members of the United States Armed Forces, that have been honorably discharged.

Better still, through the Patriot Express Loan Program, many veterans can also qualify for streamlined loans partially guaranteed through the Small Business Administration.

"In the Navy, I learned the value of having a plan (back then we called it orders), and then taking the responsibility to follow it. I've been able to transfer that learning to running my business here at The Cleaning Authority, where they have an excellent plan and great support as well, and it's worked out very well for me," says Brian Wallace, also a Navy veteran, and The Cleaning Authority's 2011 Franchisee of the Year.  

For more information, please call Iric Wexler at 800-783-6243, email him at iric@TheCleaningAuthority.com or visit the website at www.TheCleaningAuthority.com/franchise.

ABOUT THE CLEANING AUTHORITY: Founded in 1989, The Cleaning Authority currently operates 175 residential cleaning franchise locations nationwide. The Cleaning Authority combines simple business fundamentals with solid systems, and an unprecedented support infrastructure, offering franchisees innovative and sophisticated methods to develop their businesses. Ambitious and effective customer acquisition programs, and thorough employee management and client satisfaction systems drive cash based, residual revenue.

View the original article here

The Cleaning Authority Doesn't Think Returning Veterans Should Have to Fight to Find Great Business Opportunities

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Cleaning Authority (TCA) announced an exciting new offer for all qualified armed forces veterans—a full 50% off The Cleaning Authority's initial franchise fee.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120228/PH61328 )
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110119/PH32052LOGO )

This is something The Cleaning Authority is proud to offer, and they also believe it is good business.

"As a veteran myself, I fully understand the importance of serving my country, and I can't accept the fact that so many of our fine, highly-trained, highly-qualified veterans are having difficulty finding success when they return to the business world," says Allen Thrift, Senior VP of The Cleaning Authority, and proud veteran of the U.S. Navy.

"We believe we have a lot to offer with our franchise opportunity, and that these people also have a lot to offer us," he added.

The discount is simple. When you qualify as a franchisee, the Initial Franchise Fee will be reduced by 50% for all qualified veterans, former members of the United States Armed Forces, that have been honorably discharged.

Better still, through the Patriot Express Loan Program, many veterans can also qualify for streamlined loans partially guaranteed through the Small Business Administration.

"In the Navy, I learned the value of having a plan (back then we called it orders), and then taking the responsibility to follow it. I've been able to transfer that learning to running my business here at The Cleaning Authority, where they have an excellent plan and great support as well, and it's worked out very well for me," says Brian Wallace, also a Navy veteran, and The Cleaning Authority's 2011 Franchisee of the Year.  

For more information, please call Iric Wexler at 800-783-6243, email him at iric@TheCleaningAuthority.com or visit the website at www.TheCleaningAuthority.com/franchise.

ABOUT THE CLEANING AUTHORITY: Founded in 1989, The Cleaning Authority currently operates 175 residential cleaning franchise locations nationwide. The Cleaning Authority combines simple business fundamentals with solid systems, and an unprecedented support infrastructure, offering franchisees innovative and sophisticated methods to develop their businesses. Ambitious and effective customer acquisition programs, and thorough employee management and client satisfaction systems drive cash based, residual revenue.

View the original article here