For 24/7 counsel, call the National Veteran Crisis Hotline at 988, Press 1. You may also call the Florida Veterans Support Line at 1-844-MyFLVet (1-844-693-5838) or dial 211.

News

Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Brands as Veterans Florida

April 24, 2015

Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Brands as Veterans Florida

~ Organization starts to take shape ~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is for Veterans, Inc. Executive Director, Bobby Carbonell, today announced the selection of Veterans Florida as the organization’s new brand name.  The board of directors voted unanimously to do business as Veterans Florida. The organization will use the new brand in its daily business and robust marketing campaign slated to kick off later this year. Florida is for Veterans, Inc. will remain the official name in Florida Statute.

“We are thrilled to unveil our name, Veterans Florida, which brands the organization by simplifying the essence of our mission,” said Carbonell. “Also, it’s consistent with other non-profit entities in the state, such as Visit Florida, Enterprise Florida and Volunteer Florida.”

In addition to selecting its DBA name, the new organization is taking shape.  Veterans Florida recently hired its third full-time staff person, Kristen Kerr, to serve as the organization’s budget manager.  In her new role, Kerr manages the organization’s financial matters and provides administrative assistance to the executive director and the board. Additionally, the corporation established its headquarters at 930 Thomasville Road Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32303.  Staff can be reached by calling 850-462-8668.

At its April 13 meeting, the board selected two, Florida-based firms to conduct market research for the organization. Study Hall out of Tampa will conduct research on Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses across the nation, while Kerr & Downs Research out of Tallahassee will do research on business owners and hiring managers across Florida. The research will provide critical information needed to ensure the organization’s programs fit the needs of today’s separating service members and veterans. The board also approved the organization’s three-year strategic plan.

The board will hold its next meeting on May 4 at 9 a.m. (EDT) at the University of South Florida’s Research and Innovation Center, located at 3702 Spectrum Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612-9445. All board meetings are open to the public to attend.

About Veterans Florida

Veterans Florida was established by the Florida Legislature in 2014 as part of the Florida GI Bill to serve as an innovative corporation to encourage recently retired or separated military personnel to make Florida their permanent residence. The 501c(3) corporation will reinforce Florida’s standing as the most veteran-friendly state in the nation by helping veterans to bring or develop the skills needed by Florida businesses to the state. The board of directors is comprised of nine individuals from across the state.

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