This Veterans Day, we proudly highlighted Lt. Col. Gerald S. Zachary, founder of ProVets Trucking. With over 30 years of military service, Lt. Col. Zachary has transitioned his leadership and dedication into entrepreneurship. ProVets provides professional trucking services to businesses and government agencies, focused on creating meaningful employment for Veterans.

The Story Behind ProVets
Inspired by the challenges Veterans face in finding employment, Lt. Col. Zachary founded ProVets to bridge this gap. “My passion for construction and noticing Veterans struggling to find jobs drove me to start ProVets,” he shares. The company aims to match Veterans’ skills with job opportunities and ensure fair treatment. Since its inception, ProVets has become a respected company, and its success story continues to inspire others to support Veterans in their post-service careers.

Military Values in Business
Lt. Col. Zachary brings military principles of honor, duty, and discipline to his company, emphasizing professionalism and quality in every project. His military training in leadership, strategic planning, and attention to detail has been crucial in shaping ProVets’ operations. These principles have helped him maintain a strong, cohesive team and foster a company culture based on respect and mutual support.

Overcoming Challenges
Starting ProVets came with challenges, particularly gaining trust as a new company. “Securing small jobs to prove our reliability helped build our reputation,” he recalls. Gradually, ProVets earned larger contracts through consistent quality, persistence, and customer satisfaction. His experience navigating this transition from military service to business has taught him valuable lessons in resilience, which he applies daily to keep ProVets growing and thriving.

Impact of SCMBA
Lt. Col. Zachary credits SCMBA’s support for connecting him with financial resources and business networks, helping ProVets grow. “SCMBA’s guidance was key in establishing our company,” he notes. The organization’s mentorship and networking opportunities allowed ProVets to establish valuable partnerships and foster relationships with other local businesses and stakeholders.

Advice for Veteran Entrepreneurs
He advises aspiring Veteran business owners to have passion and savings ready. “Invest time and money wisely and stay committed,” he emphasizes, reflecting his disciplined approach from military service. He also encourages Veterans to tap into the many resources available to them, including organizations like SCMBA, to ensure a successful transition to civilian entrepreneurship.

Future Vision
Lt. Col. Zachary aims to expand ProVets’ operations year-round, continuing to provide exceptional service and support for Veteran employment. He plans to further grow the business by diversifying its services and expanding its reach beyond local projects, creating even more opportunities for Veterans across the country.

Honoring Service
Lt. Col. Zachary’s impressive career includes deployments in major operations such as Iraqi Freedom, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Enduring Freedom, along with numerous accolades. His experience as Director of Equal Opportunity for the 179th Cyberspace Wing and 200th RED HORSE speaks to his ongoing commitment to fairness and advocacy. On this Veterans Day, SCMBA celebrates his leadership and contributions, both in the military and as a business owner, making a lasting impact on the Veteran and business communities.

Thank you, Lt. Col. Zachary, for your service and dedication. We are proud to have you as a member of SCMBA and look forward to supporting ProVets’ growth and continued success.