Military Veterans Commerce Committee (MVCC) Stand Down: Supporting the Veteran-Owned Business in 2015

Expand your business in 2015 by fostering partnerships with veteran-owned businesses in Beverly Hills and greater Los Angeles. Discover the past, present and future impact of how strategic alliances are leading to increased revenue, job creation and entrepreneur ingenuity. Discover resources to grow your business quickly. Led by veteran David Austin, a Business Banking Specialist and Los Angeles Chapter President for the Veterans Team Member Network at Wells Fargo (USMC RETIRED) and Melanie Rae, creator of the national GUIDED Business Plan entrepreneur education platform. Afterwards, join us for networking around the corner at Nic's Beverly Hills.

About Me
Melanie Rae is the founder and Managing Director of Guided Business Plan, an entrepreneur education firm. She created the GUIDED Business Plan? training platform, a national program that has inspired thousands of new and existing business owners to invest time in pre-planning. Business development centers across the United States license her company?s Facilitator Training Packages which include comprehensive presentation decks, workbooks and financial projection tools. This year they are introducing a new business planning workshop designed to create a support system for military veteran entrepreneurs. The GUIDED Business Plan? | Military CEO is being piloted in California and Illinois. Melanie has an extensive background as a software trainer and small business consultant. 

David Austin
(ACTIVE DUTY)
July 1984 ? April 1994
David served as a Team Leader, Scout/Sniper assigned to India Company and Weapons Company, 3^rd Bn,5^th Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. During his career he has completed 2 West Pacific and 1 Mediterranean Tours at Sea each lasting 6 months aboard various Naval vessels to include: USS Peleliu LHA 5, USS Okinawa LPH 3, USS Midway CV-41, USS Tarawa LHA 1, USS Tuscaloosa LST1187.

David has deployments have included a Presidential Humanitarian Mission to fight the Great Yellowstone Fire in 1988, and one 3 month Combat Tour in Panama for ?Operation Just Cause? just before leaving his unit for next assignment in 1989. From July 1989 to  April of 1993 served as an Enlisted Instructor at Marine Corps Combat Development Command Quantico, Virginia; training Newly Commissioned Marine Corps Officers, Naval Mid-Shipmen, FBI, CIA and DEA agents in formal leadership, weapons, tactics, un-armed combat and real-world scenario training; during this time he deployed once more for a 6 month Combat Tour in Kuwait during ?Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.?

(RESERVES)
April 1994 ? April 2007
During this assignment David served as a Team Chief a extension node communication switch with Company A, 240^th Signal Bn., 40^th Infantry Division at Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos. His duties include maintenance, operation & repair of encrypted digital telecommunication system. This MSE system is based on a network architecture that provides High Speed Voice & Data communications support for 5 Divisions deployed in an Air-Land Battle scenario; employing a GTE system utilizing SHF & omni directional antennas, copper cabling, 5E switchboards, Microsoft PC embedded software, copper cabling to subscriber J-boxes coupled with direct satellite communications with VOIP protocol and SINCGARS (Single Channel Ground & Airborne Radio).

He was also appointed as tactics and weapons instructor by the commanding officer; to conduct and format any tactical training for the unit in the classroom or by practical application in the field or on live ranges. During this time he was reactivated from October 2001 to April 2002 during ?Operation Enduring Freedom? following the terrorist bombing in New York.

From 2003-2006 David carried additional duties for assignment to Veterans Honor Guard Team #3, 40th Inf. Division, as the Sergeant of the Guard tasked to conduct and render final honors for fallen soldiers and veterans for burial detail, and included support to Local, Federal & State Government organizations for "special tasks" & public events to include Color Guard for the Inauguration of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in July 2005. 
David was set for an 18 month combat deployment to Iraq in 2006, but during preparation at Fort Lewis, Washington complications from prior service related injuries, he was forced to start process for a Medical Discharge.
 
David retired from the Military in 2007 and has focused heavily on veteran outreach and employment, which resulted with an increase in awareness of veterans affairs and programs within his community. David also works with the San Fernando Valley Veterans Employment Committee (SFV / VEC), working with local and state organizations, non-profit organizations and other employers to assist veterans in their search for employment; and is an Active Member with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AmVets, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps Association and Non-Commissioned Officers Association.

While employed at Time Warner Cable, Inc, David served as Pacific Mid-West Regional Sponsor for the Employee Network VetNet, and managed the Team Member ?Channel You? page for the PAC West Region. David was the Time Warner Spokesperson at events such as the "Take a Veteran to School Day" campaign sponsored by The History Channel, The ?Honor a Hero - Hire A Vet" campaign sponsored by the Valley Economic Alliance, EDD and the San Fernando Valley Veterans Employment Committee, The "Toys for Tots" campaign, ?The Walk for Warriors? sponsored by New Directions.

Now David is working for Wells Fargo Bank as a comprehensive banking officer for deposit, merchant, payroll, treasury, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage trust & credit products to consumers and businesses for strategic sales, marketing and account servicing. Collaborate with internal departments to support opportunities with clients and small business owners by analyzing financial information. He further helps facilitate the credit/lending phase of banking from inception to close of loan by working with various bank departments and internal professional networking and is the Los Angeles Chapter President for the Military Veterans Team Member Network and liaison Worldwide Military Banking.