Michael Zacchea


2 Military Veterans Help Other Vets Transition to Purposeful Civilian Life

Next Avenue – Career transitions are hard for everyone, but the shift from military to civilian life can be particularly challenging. Soldiers coming back from the Vietnam War were too often treated as damaged goods by employers, according to research by Alair MacLean, sociology professor at Washington State University, it remains to be seen how welcoming employers will be to service members returning from the long wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — especially those in the second half of life.


Retired Professor Offers $100K Matching Gift to Save Veterans’ Entrepreneurship Program

UConn Today – United States Marine Corps veteran Tony Audette builds custom motorcycles for celebrities, business titans, and other enthusiasts who want a bike that’s unlike any other. His exclusive motorcycles sell for upwards of $130,000.

After two years in business, Audette Motorcycles, in Canton, is thriving. Audette credits much of his business knowledge and expertise to the School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV). The startup accelerator steered him away from several costly business mistakes, he said.


KeyBank Gives $75K to UConn Program for Veteran Business Owners

KeyBank has presented a $75,000 grant to the UConn School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, which helps U.S. military veterans become small business owners. Pictured from left to right are UConn EBV program graduates Jorge and Jessica Rodriguez, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer LaKisha Jordan, KeyBank Market President Jim Barger, and UConn  EBV Director Michael Zacchea. (Contributed Photo)
KeyBank has presented a $75,000 grant to the UConn School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans, which helps U.S. military veterans become small business owners. Pictured from left to right are UConn EBV program graduates Jorge and Jessica Rodriguez, KeyBank Corporate Responsibility Officer LaKisha Jordan, KeyBank Market President Jim Barger, and UConn EBV Director Michael Zacchea. (Contributed Photo)

The KeyBank Foundation on Thursday presented a $75,000 grant to UConn in support a School of Business program that helps U.S. military veterans become small-business owners.Continue Reading


UConn’s Entrepreneurship Program for Veterans Celebrates 10 Years

EBV Director Michael Zacchea (pictured above) reflects upon the ten year anniversary of the program (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)
EBV Director Michael Zacchea (pictured above) reflects upon the ten year anniversary of the program (Nathan Oldham / UConn School of Business)

Tony Audette is a former U.S. Marine combat veteran, and award-winning industrial designer, who is using his degree in automotive engineering to start a custom-made, high-end motorcycling manufacturing company in Manchester, Conn.Continue Reading


EBV Alum: ‘To Do What You Love is Priceless’

EBV alumnus Jason Otrin (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
EBV alumnus Jason Otrin (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Imagine a young child wandering alone in the woods on a frigid afternoon, with each passing minute decreasing the likelihood of a successful rescue.

UConn alumnus Jason Otrin would like to encourage emergency responders in Connecticut, and across the nation, to adopt the use of drones for such public-safety emergencies. Continue Reading


Blumenthal: Those responsible for GI Bill benefit debacle will be held accountable

Stars and Stripes – U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Friday he expects there to be a congressional hearing early in the new Congress to “pin down” who is accountable for delays in education benefit payments to hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country.

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EBV Prepares Veterans for New Jobs as Business Owners

Veterans in the 2018 EBV program (from left): Richard Nebelski, Jonathan Norton and David Paradis get acquainted during the opening day reception. They are among 20 veterans in this year’s program. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Shaun Anderson ’16, a retired Navy petty officer first class, started a sound, lighting and audio-rental company in his garage in Vernon, Conn. Now “Off the Ground Sound” has moved to a storefront, and he’s considering expanding to more locations. Continue Reading



Newman’s Own Grant Fortifies UConn’s Veteran Entrepreneurship Program

The EBV hosts up to 25 U.S. military veterans during an annual, 10-day program that prepares them to become entrepreneurs. Pictured above, EBV Class of 2017 veterans in class. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)
The EBV hosts up to 25 U.S. military veterans during an annual, 10-day program that prepares them to become entrepreneurs. Pictured above, EBV Class of 2017 veterans in class. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

“They Consider Us Elite”

Newman’s Own Foundation has awarded a $135,000 grant to the School of Business’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), one of only 26 non-profits nationwide to receive financial support. Continue Reading