National nonprofit honors corporations, veteran leaders and community partners advancing veteran inclusion
Detroit, MI – November 17, 2025 — The Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable (VOBRT) marked a major milestone on Friday, November 14, as leaders from across the nation gathered at DTE Energy Headquarters in Detroit to celebrate the organization’s 20th Anniversary Gala. The evening highlighted two decades of progress in empowering veteran-owned businesses and strengthening corporate–veteran partnerships.
The gala brought together Fortune 500 companies, veteran entrepreneurs, community leaders, military officials and advocates dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for those who have served. The celebration also reinforced VOBRT’s commitment to its core programs; Education, Mentorship, Access to Capital and Connect with VETS, which together form a nationwide infrastructure for supporting veteran-owned businesses at every stage of growth.
2025 VOBRT Award Recipients
Champion of Veteran Empowerment Award – Stellantis
Accepted by: Bruno Olvera, Director of North America Diversity Supplier Development, Stellantis
Veteran Support Excellence Award – Henry Ford Health
Accepted by: Valencia Stoudamire, Vice President, Strategic Supplier Engagement & Community Benefit Reporting, Henry Ford Health
Pioneer in Veteran Community Support Award – Fifth Third Bank
Accepted by: Tawnya Rose, Vice President, Community Impact Manager, Fifth Third Bank
Veteran Business Excellence Award – George Barnes
Chairman of the Board, Heritage Vision Plans, Inc.
Veteran Entrepreneur Leadership Award – Joseph Anderson
Chairman & CEO, TAG Holdings
Lifetime Achievement Award – David Christie
CEO/Partner, CMAC Transportation
Community Impact Award – Gerald Thomas
Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, Veteran Administration, VET CENTER
Leadership Reflections
“These honorees remind us that veteran inclusion works best when it becomes part of a company’s culture, leadership, and long-term vision,” said Roderick K. Rickman, President of the Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable. “For twenty years, this organization has stood on the belief that veterans succeed when they are educated, mentored and connected to real opportunity. Tonight’s celebration isn’t just about looking back, it’s about building a stronger, more inclusive future for the next generation of veteran business owners.”
About the Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable
The Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable (VOBRT) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, mentoring, and connecting veterans and veteran-owned businesses with corporate and government contracting opportunities. Founded in 2005, VOBRT works with industry, government and community partners to expand economic mobility for those who served.
Learn more at www.veteranroundtable.org or contact info@veteranroundtable.org.
Media Contact:
Peter Vazquez
Executive Director
Veteran-Owned Business Roundtable
586-722-1557
pvazquez@veteranroundtable.org
Photography by Stinson Photography, LLC
