From the Desk of the Small Business Committee, May 2025
Did you know that 99.9% of U.S. businesses are classified as small businesses? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, these businesses employ nearly half of the national workforce and contribute a staggering 43.5% to the country’s GDP, or gross domestic product. While AFCEA International honors small businesses year-round, May holds special meaning as we join the nation in recognizing the entrepreneurial spirit driving innovation across the defense, security and technology sectors.
AFCEA’s Small Business Committee (SBC) is a cornerstone in advancing AFCEA’s mission to empower, connect and elevate small business capabilities at both international and chapter levels. The SBC provides fertile ground for growth—offering access to curated resources, tailored programming and strategic networking opportunities that position small businesses for long-term success. Acting as a bridge to government and industry leaders, the SBC ensures small business members can engage directly in meaningful, outcome-driven conversations.
At its heart, the SBC fosters enduring partnerships and strategic relationships. Participating in SBC initiatives places small businesses at the center of emerging technology discussions and gives them a platform to showcase their solutions to prospective customers, collaborators and integrators.
Under the leadership of Tom Perry, president and CEO of VG Systems, and Will Swann, senior director of business development and capture at Watershed Security, the SBC has doubled down on its commitment to delivering real value. Subcommittee initiatives such as the Small Business Center of Excellence, the Innovation Subcommittee and the recently launched SBC Outreach Program are driving increased engagement across AFCEA’s flagship and chapter events nationwide.
These efforts are more than symbolic. They are tangible steps toward enriching the AFCEA experience for small business members—building visibility, unlocking partnerships and fueling innovation that directly supports our nation’s warfighters.
The SBC is positioned to expand its impact further in 2025, and beyond, continuing to champion the small business voice in national security conversations.
Corporate members interested in joining the SBC this summer can contact Bo Inscho at binscho@afcea.org for more information.
Each month, SIGNAL Magazine publishes a feature in the Committee Corner to highlight news you can us from AFCEA’s committees. Committee leaders should submit entries to Sandra Jontz.
