About Us2024-03-04T17:47:00-08:00
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About Us

We believe all Veterans in Business can succeed together.

The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that advocates for all Veteran Businesses including SDVOSBs and DVBEs. We help Veteran businesses build connections between Corporations, Government Agencies, and Prime Contractors looking to create partnerships for contracting opportunities. Thanks to our corporate and government partners we are able to provide a FREE Veteran business directory, business resources, educational seminars, outreach opportunities, a Veteran 2 Veteran Business Cohort Program, Boots to Contracts Program, offer Business Development Scholarships and more. Our National Conference is widely considered one of the best Veteran business networking events in the country.

We’d like to thank our volunteers who help during our Annual Conferences – and throughout the year!

The VIB Network is not a certifying organization, this allows us the freedom to determine the most advantageous Service-Disabled/Veteran business certification (Federal, State, Local and Third-Party).

The VIB Network recognizes the need for a streamlined approach to connecting veterans to business resources as well as contract opportunities. Veteran businesses have been taken advantage of by being charged an exorbitant fee to be included in some directories or for business development programs which should be free. Veterans have sacrificed for our country, and the VIB Network would like to offer these resources to all Veteran businesses for a nominal fee or free. With shared knowledge and support through our Network, we believe all Veterans in Business can succeed together. The Veterans In Business (VIB) Network is a 501(c)(3) organization. EIN #81-4522153

The VIB Network received the 2021 CalVet John K. Lopez Award for Business Excellence. In December 2020 the VIB Network won the Bronze International Stevie Award for Event of the Year for its Virtual Conference marketing and platform. The VIB Network has also received the 2019 Best In Class – Trailblazer Award from San Diego Gas & Electric for its innovative approach in connecting Veteran businesses to opportunities and education.

VIB Network co-founders, Cole Woodman and Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner, are both owners of successful SDVOSB/DVBE companies and are passionate about changing the narrative about Veteran businesses.

Chairman Cole Woodman is a US Naval Academy graduate who received his B.S. in Quantitative Economics in 2005. He is the owner of a successful SDVOSB/DVBE general engineering and construction company. As a Disabled Veteran, he believes in giving back to the veteran community and sharing his entrepreneurship and business skills with other Vets is the best way to achieve this. He also feels that the SDVOSB and DVBE programs offer excellent opportunities for all veterans in business to succeed. Cole currently serves on the California Veterans Affairs (CalVet) DVBE Advisory Council and is Chairman of the DVBE Procurement Committee. In January 2017 Cole won the California Department of Veterans Affairs, John K. Lopez Award for Individual Excellence. Cole’s leadership and foresight with his expertise and experience will help the VIB Network grow.

CEO Rebecca Aguilera-Gardiner is the co-owner of a successful SDVOSB/DVBE second generation printing business. She has over twenty-eight years of experience in sales and marketing and has been essential in the continued growth of the 50-year-old company. Rebecca has nearly 20 years of experience in organizing and successfully executing national Veteran conferences. She is also former Chair of the San Diego Workforce Investment Board. Currently, Rebecca is active in Business Leaders United and was invited to the White House for a bill-signing by President Obama. Rebecca is also a member of Business Forward and has advised on the TPP and environmental issues. She was instrumental in getting California Governor Jerry Brown onsite to her business for a bipartisan bill-signing concerning workers comp. Her business has won several awards including MBE Supplier of the year and Family-Owned business of the year. In 2016, Rebecca won the John Rak Award for her dedication in helping SDVOSBs. Rebecca was honored at the MCCSN “Women Leading the Way” luncheon in March 2017. In May 2019 Rebecca received the Leadership Award at the 3rd Annual Women of Excellence Awards Brunch. She received the Veteran’s Business Enterprise Champion of the Year Award from NaVOBA in June 2022. In 2023 Rebecca was appointed to serve on the U.S. Small Business Administration Advisory Committee on Veteran Business Affairs (ACVBA).  Her enthusiasm to truly help veteran businesses grow is infectious and she believes collaboration is key to the success of the VIB Network.

Operations & Program Director Sydney Santiago is an NYU graduate who comes to the VIB Network from Houzz, a home renovation tech company. She has spent the past 7 years creating, developing and managing the logistics team at Houzz. Sydney brings a depth of knowledge and experience of forming policies and procedures that will allow the VIB to grow. She has also been an active volunteer with the VIB Network, she is the daughter of a Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) in the Marine Corp and a military spouse of an Air Force Captain.

Making Strides:
Corporate Advisory Board

New in 2022 – Identifying opportunities, better understanding our Corporate partners’ needs, and helping more veteran owned small businesses win more contracts. Learn More »

Our Vision

At the VIB, we lock arms with veterans, corporations and government agencies to foster the success and growth of the communities we live in and to honor those who have served. We are better together.

Core Values

  • Commitment: Dedication to the Veteran-business community
  • Inclusion: Welcoming everyone who has honorably served
  • Integrity: Doing the right thing the right way in life and business
  • Excellence: Going above & beyond what is expected
  • Representation: Advocating on behalf of veteran businesses

Transparency in Action!

The VIB Network has earned the GuideStar Silver Seal of Transparency.

We make contributions go as far as they can! You can help. Donate today!

2023 Conference Recap:

The 7th Annual  VIB Network National Conference in San Diego Nov 14-15 2022 was a hit! Check out the recap:

VIB INFO:

Watch these short videos for more information on the Veterans In Business (VIB) Network:

About Our Charter Sponsors

Thank you to our Charter Sponsors, who have lifetime VIB Network recognition.

Southern California Edison

We’ve long been committed to working with women; minorities; service disabled veterans; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender enterprises. Today we spend $1 billion+ with these firms, representing more than 40% of our total procurement dollars. Quite simply, Supplier Diversity is a core business strategy for us. Our Supplier Diversity and Development team of professionals delivers sustainable solutions.  The team strives to drive economic value for customers, suppliers, communities and shareholders by developing and integrating diverse businesses into the procurement process.
More information »

San Diego Gas & Electric

At San Diego Gas & Electric® and SoCalGas (Sempra Energy’s California utilities), we are committed to working with a wide variety of diverse suppliers. Our commitment to supplier diversity helps provide our customers with the best possible energy services at the most competitive prices. We always seek qualified new suppliers who can help strengthen our supplier base and resources and share in our success. On our website, we provide information on how qualified businesses owned by minorities, women, and service-disabled veterans can participate in our procurement process. In addition to working with DBEs, we also support non-DBE businesses that participate by subcontracting work to participating DBEs. To encourage diversity among our prime contractors, each year we ask them to support our goal of subcontracting 30% of their services to such businesses.
More information »


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Our Sponsors

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