MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – November 29, 2022 – The Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce has named Hero Cards Benefit Corporation as its 2022 Veteran-Owned Business of the Year. The award was presented at the Wisconsin Veterans Business Conference, held in Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center on November 10.
The Chamber (www.wiveteranschamber.org) serves veterans and military families by providing resources to support veteran-owned and veteran-friendly businesses across Wisconsin. According to Saul Newton, the Chamber’s President and CEO, “Wisconsin is home to more than 55,000 veteran-owned businesses, who report more than $20.1 billion in annual sales and employ more than 110,000 people. 10.8% of Wisconsin’s veterans are self-employed. The U.S. veteran population’s purchasing power exceeds $1 trillion annually.”
Hero Cards Benefit Corp. (www.herocards.us) was launched in March of 2022, with the mission to honor the sacrifices made by every member of the U.S. military—from the Revolutionary War to present day—who lost their lives while serving our country.
By developing collector cards that lead to online stories for each Hero, the company aims to educate students and adults about those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” for their country. Hero Cards recently launched a new Grateful Nation Project for schools, delivering classroom tools and implementation suggestions for educators to connect students with real Heroes.
“We’re very honored by this recognition,” says Craig Du Mez, Hero Cards CMO and Co-Founder. “Besides being veteran-owned, our growth plan is to employ veterans for research, writing, photo restoration and creation of original artwork.”
Dale Kooyenga, Iraq War Veteran, CEO & Founder of Hero Cards Benefit Corporation, comments, “Hero Cards funds our efforts through the sale of cards and through Grateful Nation Project sponsorships. The company also serves as a catalyst for donations to veteran-focused non-profit organizations.”
The Wisconsin Veterans Business Conference, held in Milwaukee’s Marcus Performing Arts Center.
L-R: Christian Thornton, WVCC Vice-President; Alannah McReavey, WVCC Board President; Craig Du Mez, Hero Cards CMO & Co-Founder; Saul Newton, WVCC President & CEO
