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Current storyUT-CIS PTACUT CIS Helps Veteran Launch Successful Business; Conferences Will Provide Similar Help to OthersEntrepreneurs have long appreciated the merits of networking, but one new business owner can tag the value of his recent networking efforts at $1.2 million.
Jerry Bechel is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War, then worked for more than 30 years in the construction industry. In 2007, Bechel decided to start his own business, Veterans National Contracting LLC. While he was comfortable with his knowledge of the construction industry, he was uncertain of how to navigate the processes and paperwork to open a business -- especially a business that eventually would do work for government agencies.
"I didn't know where to start, but I knew I had to do everything right from the beginning," Bechel said.
Bechel asked counselors with the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) at the UT Center for Industrial Services (CIS) for help. The PTAC staff of Debbie Barber, Russell Toone and Joe Flynn collectively helped Bechel prepare documentation and meet registration requirements necessary to start his business and become an LLC.
"They helped me at every turn," Bechel said. "They have had an answer for every problem or question I have had along the way."
As advised by the PTAC counselors, Bechel began to attend conferences and started to meet contract officers, build relationships and learn government contracting requirements. In just a few months, Bechel's hard work led to the award of a $1.2 million contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Veterans National Contracting will replace nearly 3,000 aging light fixtures at the Memphis VA Medical Center with more energy-efficient lighting. To remove a single fixture, install a new light and clean the area takes over an hour. Then, each old fixture must be disassembled off site and packaged for proper disposal.
With hospitals, schools and government buildings facing similar needs of updating their energy systems, Bechel anticipates a growing demand for his services. With help from PTAC counselors, he has structured and registered his business so he can meet the demands.
"He has worked hard, done a great job of networking and listened to the counsel we've provided at PTAC," Toone said. "He always completes the tasks we recommend, and his diligence has paid off." To learn more about how your company can receive research and commercialization assistance from UT-CIS or PTAC, contact Joe Flynn joe.flynn@tennessee.edu or call 1-888-763-7439.
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