News
A Celebration of Service | Our Mississippi SBDC Veterans
We love our SBDC Veterans! For Veteran’s Day 2021, we’ve interviewed each of our veteran staff members about their time in the service and what they learned from their experiences. We’re incredibly grateful for each of them and their service to our country. Learn more about our veterans below!
Name: Sharon Nichols
Position at the Mississippi SBDC? State Director
How long have you worked at Mississippi SBDC? 3 Years
What branch of the military did you serve in? Air Force Reserves / Air National Guard
Why did you choose that branch?
My father was in the Air Force. I finished 1 year of college and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do and it ‘fit’. The Reserves had a dietician technician position and health and wellness was an area that I was interested in. I had the honor of my father ‘swearing me in’.
What was your rank: Staff Sergeant (E-5)
What did you do? Dietitian Technician and Admin Management Services
How long were you in? 9 years
Where did you serve?
Air Force Reserves, Tacoma Washington
Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma City, OK – Served during Desert Storm (90-91)
What were 3 things you learned while in the service that serve you well today in your life as a business owner and Mississippi SBDC employee?
- Team; every person matters.
- Continuous learning and always do better.
- Take care of yourself mentally and physically so you can take care of those around you and be there for them to serve and lead..
What would you say to other veterans thinking of starting a business?
You are prepared for entrepreneurship. All the leadership and training development you received during basic training, technical training and everyday work has prepared you to not only lead others but to run your own business.
As veterans we research and plan, and then make decisions based on information and past experiences. What better way for entrepreneurship preparation so that you can create and run your own business?
Name: April Holland
Position at the Mississippi SBDC? Training Specialist
How long worked at Mississippi SBDC? 5 years
What branch of the military did you serve in? The United States Navy
Why did you choose that branch? I was working with an Air Force Recruiter, and tested well on the ASVAB pre-test. When they discovered that I was only 4’11”, the Recruiter said I was “too short to join the USAF”. Down the hall, at the recruiting station, a USMC recruiter approached me. His approach was quickly intercepted by the Navy Recruiter. The rest is history! The Navy chose me!
What was your rank: Personnelman First Class (PN1) E-6. The Personnelman Rating/MOS was merged with the Disbursing Clerk (DK) by the Navy in 2005 to form the new Rate of Personnel Specialist (PS).
What did you do? I was a Human Resources Generalist, who also served as a Drug and Alcohol Prevention Advisor (DAPA), Manpower Analyst, and Naval Reserve Program Comptroller. I held the following Navy Enlisted Classification Codes (NEC’s):
- NEC-2612 = Navy Enlisted Classifier: Guided and placed prospective Enlisted Navy Sailors into career fields based on their experience and/or aptitude.
- NEC-9502 = Navy Career Counselor: Guided career Navy Enlisted Sailors into advanced career specialties, as well as a career transition into a new field.
How long were you in?
20 years, 22 days on Active Duty.
Where did you serve?
- 1983 Company K099 at Naval Recruit Training Command (RTC), Orlando, FL
- 1983 Personnelman Class “A” School, Naval Technical Training Center, Meridian, MS
- 1983 – 1988 Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Naval Recruit Training Command, San Diego, CA
- 1988 – 1990 Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Naval Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA
- 1990 – 1993 Fleet Hospital Operations & Training Command, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA
- 1993 – 1996 Field Medical Service School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, CA
- 1996 – 1997 Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Naval Station, Pascagoula, MS
- 1997 – 2000 Naval Reserve Personnel Center (NRPC), New Orleans, LA
- 2000 – 2003 2nd Naval Construction Brigade/1st Naval Construction Division, Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk, VA
What were 3 things you learned while in the service that serve you well today in your life as a business owner and Mississippi SBDC employee?
- Pay Attention to Detail: One mistake can cost everything. Keep good records.
- Stay Ready: It’s not “if”, but “when” something happens, how will you respond, as a business owner. Having a plan is key!
- Rely on The Team: You can’t do everything alone. Be sure to assemble a team, to help you along the way. Examples are, SBDC Counselor, Bookkeeper/Accountant, Mentor, Banker, etc.
What would you say to other veterans thinking of starting a business?
- Your ability to lead and follow will serve you well, as a business owner.
- You’re not alone. The MS-SBDC is here to help you navigate through your business lifecycle.
Name: Geneva Dummer (Vasser)
Position at the Mississippi SBDC?
Contract Business Counselor
How long have you worked at Mississippi SBDC?
3 months!
What branch of the military did you serve in?
US Navy
Why did you choose that branch?
My father and grandfather both served in the Navy as well.
What was your rank:
E-5/Petty Officer 2nd Class
What did you do?
Avionics Technician (AT) as a technician, shop supervisor, Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI), and Quality Assurance (QA) Representative.
How long were you in?
7 years
Where did you serve?
Schools in Millington, TN and Jacksonville, FL then with VP-30 in Jacksonville, FL and VP-4 in Hawaii.
What were 3 things you learned while in the service that serve you well today in your life as a business owner and Mississippi SBDC employee?
To welcome and embrace challenge, to think outside the box, and to find a way to make it happen.
Personal mottos: “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you find time to do it again” and “Adapt and Overcome.”
What would you say to other veterans thinking of starting a business?
You’ve done more difficult things. Also, the same thing I tell ALL clients – you don’t have just one job to do, you have 3+, but veterans typically have the discipline, patience, and work ethic to do all those jobs efficiently.