FREDERICKSBURG, Va., June 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ScoutComms, Inc. founder and Chief Executive Officer, Fred Wellman, was honored Friday by the U.S. Small Business Administration as 'Veterans Business Champion of the Year' for the state of Virginia at the 'Heart of a Champion' Small Business Awards Luncheon at the Omni Hotel Richmond. The SBA's Richmond District Office selected Wellman for his advocacy of veterans in business and his support of the larger veterans community.
ScoutComms is a Virginia Benefit Corporation, or B Corp, based in Fredericksburg and functions as a social enterprise specializing in communications, advocacy, and philanthropic strategy. The firm focuses exclusively on the well-being of veterans and military families by empowering the organizations that support them. ScoutComms is one of the first B Corps in the nation with a singular mission focus on those communities.
The Veterans Business Champion of the Year is awarded at the state level each year by SBA to an individual committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces.
"I am truly humbled to receive this award on behalf of myself and the entire team at ScoutComms," Wellman said. "I'm proud of the work we do as a B Corp, both on behalf of our clients who are investing in the veterans and military family communities, and even more so on the impact we make in those communities through our direct support, advocacy, pro bono and volunteer work."
ScoutComms has been instrumental in providing support to veterans and military family organizations across the country by working with major companies, foundations, and non-profits that invest in those communities. ScoutComms clients have collectively donated and invested more than $100 million to programs ranging from housing to mental health, employment, transition assistance, and emergency financial relief among others.
Wellman is a retired Army officer and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point as well as the Harvard Kennedy School. He served more than twenty years as an Army aviator and public affairs officer before retiring in 2010. Wellman founded ScoutComms as a public relations firm after recognizing the lack of military veterans in the Washington, D.C. PR sector, aiming to fill that gap in understanding of the unique defense and veterans sectors. Since that time, ScoutComms has grown into a successful social enterprise with four full-time and three part-time employees supporting clients across the country.
In addition to his professional work, Wellman volunteers extensively in support of veterans and military family causes. He currently serves as the Community Outreach Director for Team Red, White, and Blue Fredericksburg; Vice Chairman of the Fredericksburg Area Veterans Council; member of the advisory board for U.S. Vets, Inc. Washington D.C.; and as a member of the American Legion Small Business Task Force. He sits on the University of Mary Washington Center for Economic Development's Veteran Owned Small Business Executive Roundtable, whose members accompanied him to Richmond on Friday along with colleagues from Mary Washington University, the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce and the office of Congressman Rob Wittman.
Fred and his wife, Crystal, are dual entrepreneurs. Together they co-own two other successful small businesses in historic Fredericksburg-- Ladyburg Modern Skincare Apothecary and Crystal Clear Acne Clinic.
To learn more about this award and how ScoutComms can assist your efforts in the veterans and military family communities contact Margaret Clevenger, mclevenger@scoutcommsusa.com or 978-833-3952 for more information.
About Us: ScoutComms, Inc. is an award winning social enterprise communications, corporate social responsibility, and philanthropic strategy firm supporting veterans, military families and organizations committed to their well-being. Our mission is to empower veterans and military families through communications grounded initiatives and collaborative alliances that lead to greater awareness of veterans' needs and expanded access to economic and social resource opportunities. We are one of the first Benefit Corporations, B-Corps, focused on veterans and military family issues in the nation. We accomplish our mission by supporting companies, non-profits and foundations who are providing programs and charitable giving efforts in support of veterans and military families. To learn more about what we can do for your organization visit our website at www.ScoutCommsUSA.com.