Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) Foundation Announces Donation from Pentagon Federal Credit Union to Support NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative

$25,000 Contribution Will Assist Program in Accelerating Veterans' Transition to Civilian Life Through Employment Opportunities with Virginia Tech Companies.

News provided by

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

Mar 19, 2015, 01:41 ET

HERNDON, Va., March 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) today announced that Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) donated $25,000 to the NVTC Foundation in support of the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative. PenFed's charitable contribution will help NVTC's efforts to connect veterans with careers in the region's technology community.

Chairman of the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, Edward B. Cody, presents a $25,000 donation to NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg and NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative Co-Chair David Lucien of DCL Associates.

Employment of veterans is an urgent national issue. In addition to the current estimate of 750,000 unemployed veterans, an additional million service members will enter the job market over the next five years. Virginia is one of only three states projected to increase its population of working-age veterans. Despite this growing pool of human capital, local technology employers say that finding qualified workers is a key, long-term business challenge. Pairing skilled veterans with technology companies in need of their experience is an important endeavor.

The Veterans Employment Initiative, first launched by NVTC in August 2013, is designed to accelerate veterans' transition to civilian life by providing greater employment opportunities in Virginia. The program matches veterans with jobs, internships, mentorships, and certifications while providing support to NVTC member companies as they recruit, hire, train, and retain qualified veteran employees. NVTC is also working with the region's colleges and universities to address the skills gap faced by many veterans as they leave military service. NVTC seeks to match veteran training and certification to the workforce needs of Virginia's technology sector, and to facilitate internships and on-the-job training opportunities within the region's technology business community. NVTC is also collaborating with state and federal policymakers to expedite legislative and regulatory action that enhances a company's ability to recruit, hire, train and retain veterans.

"The men and women who have returned to civilian life after service to our nation have earned our admiration, but admiration only goes so far," said President and CEO of PenFed James Schenck. "Programs like the NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative go a long way in creating employment opportunities that enable these heroes to stand tall with pride and dignity as members of the American workforce. PenFed believes in helping people to do better. It's thrilling to be part of such a wonderful initiative."

"The NVTC Veterans Employment Initiative assists both veterans and employers, while also strengthening our regional economy and easing the transition to civilian life for those who have served our country," said NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg. "We are delighted to partner with PenFed on this important effort, and look forward to expanding our efforts through this generous donation."

About the Northern Virginia Technology Council: The Northern Virginia Technology Council (NVTC) is the membership and trade association for the technology community in Northern Virginia. As the largest technology council in the nation, NVTC serves about 1,000 companies from all sectors of the technology industry, as well as service providers, universities, foreign embassies, nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies. Through its member companies, NVTC represents about 300,000 employees in the region. Visit NVTC at www.nvtc.org.

About the NVTC Foundation: The NVTC Foundation is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt nonprofit. The NVTC Foundation's purpose is to support unemployed Veterans of the United States Armed Services through the support of employment initiatives focused on Veterans, and to pursue other charitable and educational initiatives. Visit foundation.nvtc.org for more information.

About PenFed
Established in 1935 as the War Department Credit Union, PenFed is one of the largest credit unions in the country, serving 1.3 million members worldwide; with nearly $18 billion in assets. Its long-standing mission has been to provide superior financial services in a cost effective manner, while being responsive to members' needs. PenFed offers market-leading mortgages, automobile loans, credit cards, checking, and a wide range of other financial services with its members' interests always in mind. Serving a diverse population, PenFed offers many ways to become a member; including numerous employee groups and association affiliations. PenFed is federally insured by the NCUA and is an equal housing lender. PenFed does business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Law, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and is a member of NAFCU. To learn more about PenFed, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on Linkedin.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150319/183278

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150123/170917LOGO

SOURCE Pentagon Federal Credit Union