National Economic Opportunity Fund

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 (Washington, D.C.) James F. Mingey, a service-disabled Veteran entrepreneur and business development expert, has been selected President and CEO of National Veterans Business Development Corporation (NVBDC) dba The Veterans Corporation (TVC), a Congressionally-chartered nonprofit dedicated to assisting Veterans, service-disabled Veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, military family members and surviving spouses with starting or growing their small businesses.

Mingey is the first Veteran entrepreneur to be selected as CEO of TVC and plans to refocus limited resources in order to expand TVC's reach into the Veteran Community.

Mingey has indicated that, "My goal is to bring TVC back to basics, providing Veterans with access to the tools required to become successful in business. By working with Veteran Service Organizations, organizations inside and out of government, TVC's Board of Directors and a vast network of knowledgeable, committed Veteran Business owners and advocates; TVC will be uniquely poised to assist our nation's Veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, in pursuing their own American Dream."

"Additionally, TVC will recommit to help expand the network of Veteran Business Resource Centers and create a funding stream in the private sector that will enable TVC to gradually become less dependent on government funds. Perhaps most importantly, I am committed to developing strict new standards for all Veterans business outreach and services."

With a steady stream of Veterans returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mingey will bring his energy, expertise and a fresh set of ideas into the Veteran community in order to address the increasing challenges America's Veteran entrepreneurs face when they return to their families and communities.

The mission of TVC is to create more prosperous communities and a stronger national economy by fostering business opportunities for Veterans and service-disabled Veterans. Mingey states, "I am committed to enhancing TVC's mission primarily through its website, its help desk, and new Veteran Business Outreach Centers."

James Mingey is the former long term managing director of NEOF.