HONOR Veterans Event Keynote by Michael Hawkins

Wyoming Valley Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Honor Veterans Luncheon Keynote

1. HONOR Veterans Luncheon Michael W. Hawkins Netizen Corporation

2. Founded Netizen Corporation in Allentown (PA) in 2013, a provider of cyber security solutions for government, defense, and commercial markets globally. U.S. Army Veteran: Staff Sergeant (E6), Military Police. Bachelors Degree in Computer Science with a minor in Business plus CISSP, PMP, and other certifications. Former software engineer, data security specialist, Deputy CIO, and program manager for DoD and VA organizations. Supported national transformation initiatives for senior executives at VA under former Secretary Shinseki. Adjunct professor at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) teaching Computer/Information Science courses. About Me

3. Awards and Recognition U.S. Department of Labor HIREVets Platinum Medallion award for veteran hiring, retention and community support (4 awards) Lehigh Valley “Top Forty Under 40” award Recognized as an Inc. Magazine nationwide Best Workplace Named to the Lehigh Valley “Power 100” list of the most influential and impactful people in the region for the last four years in a row Lehigh Valley (PA) Veteran Owned Business of the Year & Emerging/Mid Size Business of the Year & Top Reader Ranking Awards (4 awards) An Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company at #47 and #185

4. Veteran businesses have $1.14T in revenue and 4M employees Veterans are 45% more likely to start a business than non-Veterans Up to 9% of all U.S. businesses are Veteran-owned at least partly 47% of Veterans say that entrepreneurship helped their transition 56% indicated that entrepreneurship helped them find a purpose Up to 76% of Veteran firms certified by national, state or local body Almost half (50%) of WWII vets became self-employed; 40% of Korean War Veterans; but only 4.5% of Post-9/11 Veterans Veteran Business Stats From the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs Syracuse University Institute for Veterans & Military Families (IVMF) https:// ivmf.syracuse.edu /article/key-insights-from-the-2021-national-survey-of-military-affiliated-entrepreneurs/

5. 49% of Veterans said a lack of access to capital is a primary issue 66% of Veteran owners use credit cards to fund part or all of business expense 40% of Veterans indicate they were declined for adequate funding amounts Most used their personal savings and retirement monies to fund operations 43% indicated that a lack of qualified employees causes problems 61% said that certification processes are too difficult 53% found government bureaucracy to be a significant issue 56% of Veteran companies are dependent on their top 5 or fewer customers to stay in business Veteran Business Barriers From the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs Syracuse University Institute for Veterans & Military Families (IVMF) https:// ivmf.syracuse.edu /article/key-insights-from-the-2021-national-survey-of-military-affiliated-entrepreneurs/

6. PA has a goal of 3% of state contract dollars for Veteran businesses vs 6% for NY and 5% for federal government (as of Dec. 2023) Certification through the SBA VetCert program is accepted by many states and other entities as proof of Veteran ownership Camaraderie between Veterans is something that sets us apart A focus on community involvement is common with Veteran owners Many aspects of military service are great prep for entrepreneurship (e.g. psychological resilience, leadership, values, etc.) Veteran-specific business training and education programs such as VA, TechStars, SBA, etc. programs Veteran Business Opportunities

7. Ever since a young age I wanted to be in business for myself Used military service to gain key skills in leadership, training, budgeting, logistics, networking, and even sales (i.e. recruiting). Used GI Bill to earn a degree in Computer Science & Business Worked for the VA starting as a software engineer and eventually was promoted to work for Presidential appointees in Washington, D.C. Became a contractor to learn the ”other side” of the business Decided to strike out on my own in late 2013 and never looked back Struggled to find footing at first, but then specialized and took off My Journey to Entrepreneurship

8. Network and learn constantly Don’t hire too soon or too fast Trust but verify all things and stick to your values Improvise, adapt, overcome: “Semper Gumby” Don’t expect handouts: “A license to hunt doesn’t guarantee success” Learn to be uncomfortable: ”Embrace the suck” SPECIALIZE : “Be a laser, not a light bulb” GIVE FIRST : The “Open Kimono” sharing of knowledge and ideas NEVER QUIT : “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer” Some Lessons Learned

9. Thank You Michael W. Hawkins President and CEO of Netizen Corporation Business Phone: [phone] Business Website: Netizen.net Personal (LinkedIn): MWHawkins.com