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Joseph Meyer, Meyer Capital chairman and CEO, on his military experience and what he is doing to fight back against the high rates of unemployment vet...
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While as Jeff just reported the unemployment rate for veterans is significantly higher than for civilians.
One person trying to change that is Joseph -- he's a venture capitalists and former major.
In the US army chose chairman and CEO -- capital and he joins us now Joseph welcome to this job.
-- -- Charles could be back thanks for having me jump before we get into some of the.
Well I was a an officer in the army I was on and one -- and want anyone tanks back -- mid to late eighties.
Had a great time -- wonderful experience.
Great learning experience for me personally.
And really I think gave me the foundation to.
Do what I'm doing now.
In regards to starting companies growing companies investing in companies.
And I think that foundation has really been the key of my successful -- But that seems like a real amazing transition.
You know going from from tanks to to venture -- every swing.
You came -- we got a job what they with a regular business and you say -- for a while you learn the ropes and he went out on your own.
Well.
I probably had a few fits and starts in -- probably -- like a lot of our young veterans -- coming out of military today year.
Trying to figure out what you can do what you should do what you're gonna Dylan.
And matter of fact when I got out I actually went to work for free LA.
Converted from there to BellSouth which is now AT&T.
And I started my first company which is in the banking arena so I've done a lot of different things but at the end of the day.
I learned and every one of those jobs but I think what the military taught -- was.
How to overcome obstacles.
How to use leadership to get to the desired in state that -- trying to get to.
And it's it's worked out for me and and many other veterans by the way.
It certainly has worked out for you you started investing twenty years ago and now your portfolios are valued at to have portfolio companies are valued at half a billion dollars.
-- can't be inferred that trend workers out there your champion for small businesses why.
I'm do both of those causes some lack of a word need -- championing it and when a lot of people frankly needs need champions right now.
But and that's a fair statement a lot of them do need champions but it it really started a few weeks ago.
When I was interviewed for stars and stripes magazine.
And I got over 500 responses from soldiers.
Its generals colonels saying thank you but mostly from soldiers.
Who were struggling with how.
To put together a plan to come out and go to.
Back to work in the civilian sector.
And so it's really become a bit of a -- I've spent a lot of time early in the morning late at night responding those soldiers.
Airmen Marines.
Men and women to really give them just a little bit of guidance and some of whom have done.
Really simple things and they've gotten the small grant but it's been enough to get them off the ground.
There's been some interesting ideas that will continue to explore.
But a lot of -- really struggling to try to figure out how they're skills.
Transfer from the military back into the civilian sector.
And I and I think we uses society owe it to those veterans who have.
Given of their personal time energy and effort.
Many eight are disabled.
They they need that break and I think whatever we can do to help them.
Is is spectacular.
And I think that what the senate has just passed last night.
With the tax bill -- the tax credit.
For employers is a great idea it's a great start but we have to educate employers plan and tell employers why these people are great people -- higher.
We've got a staffing in in employee leasing firm.
Down in Florida that we run.
And we go out of our way to try to look for those.
People with a military background because they have the structure we have to educate.
Employers as to why these men and women are are great assets to businesses.
Well -- you know the the senate -- you just talked about was -- 95 to -- You know it's not we don't see any bipartisanship -- Washington 9600 dollars to hire disabled veterans have been unemployed for six month right I would hate that any any employer out there.
Wouldn't understand the distinct advantage of having a man or woman.
Who served in our military but I'm glad you're out there pushing this effort in getting the word out congratulations to you.
Well thank you and I'd like to say happy veterans stayed up all them fellow veterans out there but most importantly to my father in -- Al we're who served in World War II on the USS -- South Dakota so.
-- -- we don't we absolutely out there and Joseph Maier chairman and CEO -- capital thanks a lot of thank you.
