33 LEADERSHIP | How to support veteran-owned businesses. w/Matthew Pavelek.


Matthew Pavelek, Vice President of Membership for the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) and executive editor of Vetrepreneur magazine, discusses the impact of veteran-owned businesses on the US economy. A leading expert in matters concerning veterans and entrepreneurship, Matt explains how military veterans can get assistance in starting and growing a business, and what all business owners can do to to support “Vetrepreneurs” everywhere.


About Matthew Pavelek

Matthew Pavelek serves as the Vice President of Membership for the National Veteran-Owned Business Association and also as executive editor for the association’s national publication, Vetrepreneur magazine.

Pavelek has been quoted as an expert source in myriad media including, but not limited to: The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC.com, The Asbury Park Press, and Crain’s Business. He’s also been a panelist in various national conferences including the national Veterans Small Business Conference and Expo and the Diversity Alliance for Science.

Pavelek is a leading expert in matters concerning veterans and entrepreneurship. He’s written extensively about the federal government’s progress to achieve its goal of spending three percent of contract dollars with firms owned by service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses as outlined by Public Law 106-50.

In addition, Pavelek has spearheaded NaVOBA’s State Tracker program that has assisted and covered the passage of vetrepreneur-friendly legislation in more than 27 states across the country as well as new programs at the local city and county government levels.

Pavelek is currently completing a Ph. D. in communication in the College of Communication of Information at the University of Kentucky and a significant segment of his scholarly research focuses on mass media coverage of military veterans. Pavelek has also taught communication, journalism, and public speaking courses for the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and Point Park University.


About the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)

NaVOBA’s Mission is simple — to create opportunities for all of America’s veteran-owned businesses. More than 3 million men and women who have defended our nation’s freedoms by serving in America’s armed forces have made the choice to start their own small businesses after their military service. We call them vetrepreneurs.
Whether they are looking to start a pizza shop on Main Street, open a franchise, sell to large corporations, or contract with local, state or even federal government agencies, NaVOBA is here to help. Our advocates fight every day to ensure that America’s vetrepreneurs attain the opportunities they’ve earned.
Vetrepreneur magazine is the only national publication in the country dedicated exclusively to covering the veteran-owned business movement. As the watchdog of the government, advocate to corporate America and journal connecting the community of vetrepreneurs across the nation, NaVOBA and Vetrepreneur is the voice of the veteran business movement.