The National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is honored to welcome Kenneth R. Vennera, Esquire, to its Advisory Board. A proven leader in legal counsel, corporate strategy, and veteran entrepreneurship, Vennera brings more than 25 years of experience and a lifelong commitment to serving those who served. His addition to the Advisory Board strengthens NVBDC’s mission of connecting veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SD/VOBs) with meaningful opportunities across corporate and government supply chains.
Currently serving as Chief of Staff at Warrior Rising and Mission Six Zero—two nationally recognized nonprofits that empower veteran entrepreneurs—Vennera is deeply engaged in the effort to help veterans transition into successful business ownership. His impressive academic and professional background includes a B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School and an LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University. He is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., and has held General Counsel roles at multiple public and private companies.
“Ken’s leadership, legal insight, and strategic mindset make him an exceptional addition to the NVBDC Advisory Board,” said Keith King, NVBDC Founder and CEO. “He has already shown a strong commitment to strengthening our governance, expanding our partnerships, and supporting our national initiatives that open new doors for veteran-owned businesses.”
As part of his Advisory Board role, Vennera will play an active part in several high-impact initiatives:
- Advocacy and Federal Engagement: Vennera will join NVBDC’s leadership delegation in Washington, D.C., April 29–30, 2025, where he will participate in strategic discussions with senior officials from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and other federal agencies. This engagement aims to elevate the voice of veteran entrepreneurs and explore access to financial tools, loan guarantees, and export capital solutions that can help SD/VOBs enter and thrive in global markets.
- Support for Global Trade through ITA Collaboration: Vennera’s expertise will also bolster NVBDC’s collaboration with the International Trade Administration (ITA) and its Vets Go Global initiative. This partnership is opening new frontiers for NVBDC-certified businesses, providing them with the resources, market insights, and technical support necessary to compete internationally. Planned workshops and webinars—delivered in partnership with ITA—will offer real-world guidance on market entry strategies, compliance, and logistics for veteran exporters.
- Governance and Organizational Strength: Vennera will assist in updating NVBDC’s bylaws, helping ensure transparency, strategic growth, and operational excellence as the organization continues to scale its programs and impact.
- Strategic Partnerships and Outreach: He will play a key role in strengthening NVBDC’s national alliances by collaborating with leaders like Bill Elmore and Bill Nelson, and working with respected institutions such as the National Small Business Association (NSBA) to extend NVBDC’s reach and value to veteran entrepreneurs nationwide.
Ken Vennera’s Professional Highlights:
- Chief of Staff, Warrior Rising (Veteran nonprofit)
- General Counsel, BPI Holding Group, Arkados Group, and Edentify, Inc.
- Senior Corporate Attorney, Flamm Walton P.C.
- Tax Consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young
- LL.M. in Taxation, Villanova University School of Law
- B.S. in Economics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- Member, Operation Homefront and Union League Armed Services Council
NVBDC President, Brigadier General (Ret) Dick Miller, added, “Our growing alliance with the International Trade Administration and EXIM reflects our commitment to providing certified veteran-owned businesses with a clear pathway to domestic and international success. With advocates like Ken Vennera by our side, we are more equipped than ever to turn opportunity into achievement for our nation’s veteran business owners.”
NVBDC remains the nation’s leading third-party certification body for veteran and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, offering access to a $122 billion supplier diversity marketplace—including Fortune 500 procurement programs.
Learn more about NVBDC’s certification programs and opportunities for growth at nvbdc.org
