The Fredonia Technology Incubator will conduct a Veterans and Active Duty Service Networking Fair at the State University of New York at Fredonia Science Center. The networking fair will take place on Tuesday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those in attendance will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Ken Williams, and participate in the Veterans Vendor Fair and luncheon. This event is free and open to all veterans and active duty service members. Refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited, therefore registration is required.

To register for this event visit https://veteransoutreachchq2019.eventbrite.com, this registration link can also be found on the FTI Homepage and Facebook page. For more information, contact FTI at (716) 680-6009 or incubator@fredonia.edu. The State University of New York At Fredonia is located at 280 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063.

“This will be a great opportunity to learn more about new entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Incubator Director Chuck Cornell. “I am thrilled that Ken Williams agreed to keynote this event.”

Keynote speaker Ken Williams is the Executive Director of the NYS OGS Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development. Their task is to implement the provisions of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act that was signed into law in May of 2014. The law establishes a NYS contract participation goal of 6% for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). Prior to being appointed by Governor Cuomo, Ken consulted for companies such as BMW of North America, created and built entrepreneurial ventures, instructed at colleges such as Clarkson University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and assisted with business development in Ukraine at the behest of USAID. Mr. Williams is a Vietnam era veteran and is passionate about the NYS SDVOB Program and the positive impact it is having on veterans of all generations.

The Veterans Network is an outreach program of the Incubator to provide support to veteran entrepreneurship in Chautauqua County. The Network provides veteran-business owners or those looking to start a business the opportunity to network and discuss areas of assistance the Incubator can provide. The Incubator hosts monthly veteran meetings every 4th Wednesday of the month.

The Fredonia Technology Incubator promotes economic growth in Western New York by supporting entrepreneurship and the development of new, innovative companies into successful business ventures. The incubator provides administrative and business services, mentoring, networking, professional consulting, educational opportunities and access to capital and work ready space. The Incubator is part of Fredonia’s Division of Advancement, Engagement and Economic Development (AEED) facilitates and supports university-community collaborations and oversees the university’s StartUp NY economic development program.