about
North Carolina Veterans Business Association is a mission-driven, member-operated association dedicated to empowering veteran/military spouse professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners across North Carolina. Our approach is built on a builder’s mentality that focuses on Connecting, Educating, and Supporting veteran/milspouse owned businesses, ensuring they not only succeed but drive economic impact across the state.
As the leading voice for veteran/milspouse owned businesses, we leverage collective expertise, strategic partnerships, and advocacy to create opportunities for sustainable growth. By strengthening this network, we empower veteran/milspouse entrepreneurs to build, scale, and sustain successful enterprises while fostering a thriving business ecosystem.
Our Mission: Connect, Educate, and Support
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Connect – We cultivate a powerful network of veteran/milspouse entrepreneurs, corporate allies, and government partners to expand opportunities and foster collaboration.
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Educate – We provide access to valuable business resources, mentorship, and industry insights to equip veteran/milspouse owned businesses for success.
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Support – We advocate for policies that enhance veteran/milspouse business opportunities and provide direct assistance to help them navigate challenges and scale effectively.
We specialize in:
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Development – Equipping veteran/milspouse businesses with access to capital, education, points of contact and strategic growth resources.
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Strengthen – Expanding connections and fostering a robust network to create meaningful business opportunities.
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Impact – Driving economic prosperity through advocacy, leadership, and sustainable business practices.
NCVETBIZ, officially recognized as the North Carolina Veterans Business Association, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Together, we are building a stronger future—one veteran/milspouse owned business at a time.
BRICK BY BRICK: We are building the future of resilient veteran/milspouse Owned businesses in North Carolina. Are you ready to BUILD with us?
OUR HISTORY
What started as a casual conversation between two veterans about the challenges faced by veterans and as entrepreneurs in the workforce soon became the idea for a statewide 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated solely to veterans in business.
The North Carolina Veterans Business Association, Inc (d.b.a. NCVETBIZ) was founded in April 2008, and incorporated the following month by Joe Marchesani, Chairman of the Board, John Wharton, Board Member, and John Kennedy, Board Member. The organization was originally headquartered in Charlotte, NC, and has grown to become the recognized private sector advocate and voice for veteran business owners and professionals.
Expanding Our Reach
In 2023, we launched our regional model, bringing together veteran and military spouse-owned businesses from across North Carolina. This expansion has increased accessibility, strengthened connections, and amplified awareness of the incredible contributions these businesses make to our economy.
Through this initiative, veteran/milspouse entrepreneurs are now easier to find, support, and engage with than ever before. By leveraging our mission-driven approach and growing membership network, we continue to empower these businesses, ensuring they have the visibility, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive.
NCVETBIZ remains committed to Connecting, Educating, and Supporting our veteran business community—building a stronger North Carolina, one business at a time.
Mark Haupt, Sr., MBA
Founder/LEGACY BOARD MEMBER (raleigh)
Mark M. Haupt, a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran, owns and operates Converged Services, Inc., a Professional Services company, headquartered in Raleigh, NC. He served as a member of the NC Governor’s Advisory Council for Small and HUB Businesses. He co-founded the NC Veterans Business Association in Charlotte, NC and serves as a Trustee of a large corporate Voluntary Employee Benefits Association. He is past President of the North Carolina Veterans Business Association, served on the Tammy Lynn Foundation Board of Directors and the Research Triangle Park Federal Credit Union Board of Directors in North Carolina.
Mark founded Converged Services, Inc. in 2008 after thirty years in the corporate world delivering telecommunications, data, and information technology products and services around the world.
A seasoned executive leader of global business development, customer service, and operations organizations, Mark has more than 37 years of global and domestic Information Technology and Telecommunications industry experience. He has introduced products and services in 13+ countries and directed operations teams in Europe, Asia, and South and North America of up to 350 employees.
Mark holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University, and an Associate Degree in Electronic Technology from the Community College of the U.S. Air Force.
- MEET THE BOARD -
Dr. TANYA O. JONES
president (CHARLOTTE)
Dr. Tanya O. Jones, a proud Army Veteran and trauma survivor, is the visionary Founder and CEO of Interactive Advocacy (IA), a groundbreaking organization dedicated to providing unparalleled violence prevention training and championing cultural shifts for resiliency and recovery through the power of theatrics and creative expression.
With over 20 years of exceptional service in various U.S. Federal Government organizations, Dr. Jones brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as an internationally acclaimed speaker and seasoned violence prevention training professional. Her innovative "DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" training series offers facilitator-led modules and scenario-based learning to support dialogue for prevention, awareness, tolerance, and equality (PATE), addressing complex issues in a safe training environment.
As the creator of the "DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" training series, Dr. Jones leverages her personal journey with trauma to advocate for social justice and effect lasting change. Her unique perspective and unwavering commitment to empowering senior leaders, warfighters and their families have made her a sought-after leader in the military community.
In her role as the President of the North Carolina Veterans Business Association, Dr. Jones continues to inspire and support fellow veterans, harnessing her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for advocacy to create opportunities and foster growth within the veteran business community. Her transformative work serves as a testament to the resilience and strength of the veteran spirit, as she strives to create a safer, more inclusive world for all.
Lindsay Hinger
Vice President (raleigh)
Lindsay Hinger is an Air Force Veteran, entrepreneur, and advocate. She served in the Air Force as a Logistics Readiness Officer on the Hickam AFB Flightline in cargo and passenger operations. She is the Founder of MilSO Box LLC., as well as the Founder and CEO of Gifting With Valor LLC.; a custom gift box service for military-centric organizations and businesses.
Lindsay’s advocacy includes experience as an Air Force Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, a North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem, and a foster parent. Today, her advocacy focuses on military spouse and veteran-owned businesses as well as mental health. She is a mentor to military spouses through the American Corporate Partners (ACP) Mentoring program.
She has 17 years of military and civilian logistics experience including air, rail, ocean, over-the-road trucking, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain. A small business owner since 2016, Lindsay is also a Bunker Labs RDU Cohort Graduate and IVMF’s VWise Program Graduate.
Lindsay earned her Cultural Anthropology degree and graduated from the Air Force ROTC program at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2004.
Christian Kubista
tREASURER (raleigh)
Christian Kubista is a U.S. Army Veteran, having served ten years as an officer in the Army Reserve. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, with his deployment back 2004. As an Army officer, Christian served in various capacities in command, Division budget officer, as well as Chief of Vendor Services during his deployment. He separated from service back in 2005.
Christian has successfully built a career in the financial services industry over the past 25 years. He currently works with Wells Fargo Advisors in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he serves in the capacity as branch manager for the Private Client Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. He has been with the company for 20 years, having served in various capacities as Associate Market Manager, Productivity Manager, as well as Product Manager in various departments within the firm. Christian has a high passion for leading and developing people to pursue their goals and building successful careers, skills that he has learned and experienced having served in the U.S. Army. He is a graduate of the University of Richmond, where he earned a degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance. He resides in Raleigh with his wife and two children.
CRYSTAL MONTZ
Member at Large (Fayetteville)
Crystal A. Montz is the CEO and Founder of Dreams Made Realty Group, a real estate firm covering more than 300 miles of the United States. Crystal is an inspirational leader with a passion for helping others achieve greatness and success. She was born in Sanford, North Carolina and her natural aptitude for motivating those around her has enabled many to reach their highest potentials – something previously thought unattainable by them. She honorably served over 20 years in the Army Reserves and retired as a Chief Warrant Office and Human Resource Technician.
Crystal offers unparalleled knowledge on matters such as relocation assistance, military family housing guidance or property investment strategies for all clients alike.
Reginal G. Lyerly
Member at Large (CHARLOTTE)
Reginal G. Lyerly is a retired servicemember who served from 1997-2020 in the
United States Army and is an Iraqi Freedom Veteran (Iraq-2006), Operation New Dawn Veteran (Kuwait-2011), and Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran (Middle East Countries-2015/2016).
He is currently serving as the Vice President of Cybersecurity Recruitment,
Veteran Outreach, and Government Contracting for DNA Diversity Executive Search. This firm has offices in Canada, United States, The Philippines, and India. He is also the lead insurance agent/agency owner for Keeping Carolina Families Covered. Keeping Carolina Families Covered serves the communities of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia through life insurance and retirement solutions (term, whole life, final expense, annuities and IULs). Health Insurance will be added to the services in Spring 2025.
He is the Sales/Marketing Director for Discover Brightside Worldwide, Inc. He is
responsible for the marketing and sales operations of Brightside Worldwide Inc.’s B2B (Business to Business) and (Business to Customer) virtual and in-person networking platforms. He is a three-time time awardee of one of Discover Brightside’s highest honors,the “Veteran Trailblazer Award”. He is also the winner of 2022 Brightside Entrepreneurial Challenge. He recently served as the chairperson for the 2023 Brightside Marketing Challenge. This platform was responsible for teaching over 19 business owners about the way to better leverage marketing to improve their businesses.
Raven Coleman
Member at Large (raleigh)
Raven Coleman is the Owner/Operator of 4C: Central Carolina Cleaning Company Inc. a specialized bioremediation company that focuses on crime scene/trauma cleanup, decontamination, and restoration services. She is also the owner of Final Passage Transport, an end-of-life body removal/mortuary transport service. Raven brings over 20 years of Criminal Justice and industry-related experience. A former EMT in the US Air Force, Raven possesses a Master’s Degree in Justice Administration and has hands-on work experience in forensic and death investigations. She also holds a certificate in OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) compliance. Raven Coleman started 4C as a way to use her knowledge and expertise in the fields of criminology and forensics to help the people of North Carolina. Help comes in many forms with 4C especially during the most difficult times for some, from the biohazard division to the transportation division which recently expanded into the pet industry as well as a new location in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri, she and her team of professionals are trained, dedicated, and not afraid to work hard and get their hands dirty. No job is too big or too small.
For the past 6 years until this past May, Raven was a full-time Lecturer at NC A&T State University where she taught future criminal justice professionals and forensics. Raven currently serves as the Commander of the only All-Female American Legion Post 540 in North Carolina (Cary, NC). Her passion for veterans both personally and amongst the business community is very strong. She uses her voice to advocate for those who have served and who are currently serving. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, eating good food, working out, listening to music, riding her motorcycle, and spending time with her 3-year-old fur kid Cane Corso Ruger and 11 y/o Boxer Mastiff Glock who crossed the rainbow bridge a few months ago.
GEORGE COPELAND
Member at Large (Raleigh)
George is from Jacksonville, Florida, but also calls Randolph, Virginia home. In 1969 he was drafted to serve in Vietnam in the 44th Med – 82nd Airborne, where he trained as a Special Forces Combat Medic. Upon his return, he pursued a Bachelor in Business Administration and Secondary Education in 1975 at Methodist College. George also taught High School History and Economics as well as coached Football. In 1978 George worked for Coca-Cola Consolidated, where he managed operations. And was Vice President of Marketing and Sales Development. In 1990 George and his wife Sidney, Founded Atlantic Documentation Centers, a Digital Print Services company that was sold in 2000 to a Publicly Traded Company out of Detroit. Today you can find George at Southport Graphics, the most current venture, where he founded with his wife in 2010, a second Digital Print Services Company.
Bryan wiggins
Member at Large (raleigh)
Bryan Wiggins is supplier diversity and procurement with CISCO.
Jonathan Kendrick
Member at Large (WESTERN/ASHEVILLE)
Jonathan is a former Army Infantryman. Having served for 7 years, one of which was spent deployed in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom IV.
After his discharge, Jonathan used the GI Bill to go to North Carolina State University, then Campbell Law. He is now a Real Estate Attorney practicing out of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is the owner of Kendrick Law, PLLC.
bob burton
Member at Large (raleigh)
Bob Burton is the Director of the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office (NC DEFTECH), where he strategically connects the state's innovation ecosystem with the urgent technology needs of the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. His mission is to accelerate the technology transition to optimal solutions for the nation's most critical defense and homeland security requirements. Bob, a retired Special Forces CSM, brings over 25 years of distinguished special operations leadership experience to his current role. His career trajectory encompasses early operational assignments and over a decade of executive-level leadership advising at the highest echelons within the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). Bob's extensive deployments in CENTCOM, EUCOM, and PACOM areas of responsibility honed his ability to influence and drive strategic results supporting U.S. security objectives. His combat leadership spans local and national engagements, advising diplomatic and military operations in complex security environments.
Bob holds a Masters degree in Executive Leadership from Liberty University, and his post- military experience includes work as an Executive in Residence for Hacking for Defense at North Carolina State University. In this role, he mentored the development of innovative solutions for USSOCOM's most pressing capability needs. Bob also serves with the North Carolina World Trade Association – Triangle Chapter (NCWTA-Triangle) as the Director of Global Defense & Security.
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