Veterans in Economic Transition Conference promotes new opportunities and growth for veterans through education, entrepreneurship and employment.
Oct. 14, 2016 – Albany, N.Y. –The Veterans in Economic Transition Conference is proud to announce the speakers for its 2016 event to be held on Oct. 24-25, 2016 at the Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY.

VETCON is an unprecedented collection of public and private businesses, non-profit and for-profit organizations and government agencies gathering together for a worthy initiative. The event will provide support, advice and direction to startups and existing businesses owned by veterans. It will also include networking opportunities with speakers of national notoriety serving as mentors during seminar sessions.

Keynote speaker: Paisley Demby

Paisley Demby is the Business Services Director with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Initiative. He is responsible for the training and development of over 12,000 business owners. Mr. Demby, who is a renowned CEO trainer, will share with the audience how to create exceptional business growth by taking action in the areas of business strategy, leadership, marketing, and finance.

As Founder and Chief Executive Officer of PBN Consulting, LLC., Mr. Demby is recognized for his work in business and economic development. With nearly 25 years of finance and strategic management experience, he has been employed by such renowned firms as IBM, General Motors, Westinghouse, JP Morgan, Synergie Capital Group, The May Davis Group, and Andersen Consulting, LLP. Mr. Demby holds an MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from the University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School of Business, and a BA in Engineering and Economics from Brown University.

Mr. Demby will be speaking during the Keynote Lunch session on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 12-1:30 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Justin Constantine

Justin Constantine is a former United States Marine who was severely injured while serving in Iraq. He has since become a widely-acclaimed leadership consultant and inspirational speaker, who at the conference will share with attendees invaluable lessons about leadership, and overcoming personal and professional adversity through determination and perseverance. His speech will serve to invigorate business owners and employees alike.

Mr. Constantine volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006, and served as a Civil Affairs Team Leader while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol, Justin was shot in the head by a sniper. Although the original prognosis was that he had been killed in action, Justin survived. While on active duty, he had served as a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps. Upon recovering from his injuries, he continued to serve in the Federal government in a number of attorney positions, including the Department of Justice, Capitol Hill and most recently with the FBI on a counter terrorism team.

Mr. Constantine will be speaking during the first day’s lunch session on Monday, Oct. 24 from 12-1:30 p.m.

Additional speakers:

The conference will be opened on Monday by Tully Rinckey PLLC Founding Partner Greg Rinckey, with firm Partner and VETCON Alliance Chairman Mario Cometti. The conference was conceived and developed by Tully Rinckey PLLC with the goal to assist veterans as they transition from service to civilian life. Mr. Rinckey and Mr. Cometti will highlight the features of the first annual Veterans in Economic Transition Conference, which will include a meet-and-greet room staffed by Tully Rinckey attorneys, interactive workshops, various business booths, and a free job fair.

Tuesday will be opened by Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at University at Albany Darrell Wheeler, who will highlight various features and opportunities of VETCON’s second day. He will focus on educational opportunities available to veterans, and speak about University at Albany’s commitment to helping veterans gain access to the educational resources needed to jumpstart their civilian careers. All other speakers can be found on the VETCON website.

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to take part in valuable hands-on workshops designed specifically for them, in addition to participating in numerous informational sessions with businesses, organizations and more than 30 different New York state purchasing agencies. Practical workshops will include information about how to certify a veteran-owned business and obtain federal and state contract set asides, business plan writing and business fundamentals.

Registration for the conference is $100 per day and is now open. Veterans may attend the event’s job fair for free on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 1:45- 4 p.m.