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One of our members, a wounded veteran, is being recognized! Congrats, Mike!
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CONNECTICUT – U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Maria-Contreras Sweet recently appointed Michael Zacchea as
a member of the Advisory Committee on Veteran’s Business Affairs
(ACVBA). This appointment is effective for a three-year term beginning
June 1, 2015.
Michael
Zacchea is currently Director for the UConn Entrepreneur Bootcamp for
Veterans with Disabilities. The ACVBA serves as an independent source of
advice and policy recommendations to SBA’s Administrator, as well as
Deputy Administrator, SBA’s Associate Administrator for Veteran’s
Business Development, Congress, the President, and other U.S.
policymakers on programs affecting veteran-owned small business. All
members appointed serve in a representational capacity.
“With
your valuable advice and support, SBA can continue to enhance the
growth of veteran-owned small businesses and private enterprises,” said
SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. Connecticut’s District Director
Bernard M. Sweeney says “Zacchea is the perfect person to represent the
ACVBA for the state of Connecticut because he has demonstrated a strong
commitment to serving those who have served,” added Sweeney. Zacchea
was named SBA’s Connecticut District Office Veteran Advocate Champion in
2012 during Small Business Week.
Mike's military awards include the Bronze Star Medal for Valor (with gold star in lieu of 2nd award), the Purple Heart Medal, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, a Combat Action Ribbon, and numerous unit and campaign awards. Mike was also the first and at the time only American recognized by the Iraqi government by the Order of the Lion of Babylon. As a result of his wounds, Mike was medically retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He is currently the Program Director of the University of Connecticut Entrepreneur Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, Mike has helped start 25 businesses get started since 2010. He is also involved in the creation of ConnectVets, Inc., a non-profit organization of veteran-owned businesses in the state of CT. He recently joined a multi-agency cross-disciplinary working group chaired by the Commissioner of the CT Department of Veterans Affairs to align veteran education, job-training, and workforce re-entry issues.
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