About Us
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Region 2 Empowers Veteran Entrepreneurship in New York and New Jersey
The Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) program is a one-stop shop for active duty service members, transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses looking to start, purchase, or grow a business. Training opportunities, counseling and mentoring in-person and online, referrals to partners and programs, and monthly network events are available at no cost.
Kathy Caruso
Executive Director, McNulty Veteran Business Center
Kathy Caruso is the Executive Director of the McNulty Veteran Business Center, and also serves as VBOC Administrator. Her responsibilities include management of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization including strategic planning, grant administration, coordination of Board activities, project management, marketing, budgeting, and overseeing the organization’s daily activities. From 2003-2020 Kathy served as Administrator of the Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership, the McNulty Center’s predecessor, and previously worked as a production office coordinator in feature film production for major studios. Kathy is a graduate of The Leadership Institute Class of 2019 as well as Leadership Tech Valley Class of 2011, and has served on LTV’s Steering Committee 2011-2012, Averill Park Education Foundation Board 2008-2017, VETCON Alliance, and Veteran Connect Center Advisory Board.
Amy Amoroso
Director, VBOC at McNulty Center (NY/NJ)
Amy serves as Program Director for the McNulty Center’s Veterans Business Outreach Center covering New York and New Jersey. She is the initial point of contact for VBOC program clients and is responsible for facilitating and delivering Boots to Business, B2B: Reboot training programs, conducts client counseling services, case management, performance reporting, compliance, serves as POC for stakeholder and collaborative partners, and as moderator for network and outreach events. Amy is a subject matter expert in business plan development, financial analysis, starting/growing and or selling a business, business lending, marketing, SDVOSB certifications, Boots to Business instruction, and networking. Amy trains and works closely with VBOC staff in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, program and event planning and marketing to spread awareness of available services. Amy is a board member of UMAC, VETCON Alliance, Stakeholders, NVSBC. She volunteers with the American Red Cross, Veterans Administration and AMVETS Post 35. Amy also owns her own small business and is a military spouse with over 20 years’ experience in business development.
Jamie Hensel
Administrative/Project Coordinator, VBOC at McNulty Center (NY/NJ)
Jamie Hensel is the Administrative/Project Coordinator for the VBOC at McNulty Center (NY/NJ). Her responsibilities include promoting and facilitating free webinars for veterans, client intake for counseling and training, travel arrangements, assisting with management of website, digital media marketing, social media posts, event planning, and to provide general office support. Jamie also participates in veteran outreach events throughout the year and is a strong advocate for helping veterans receive the services they need. Jamie has a strong marketing background, as well as previously owning her own photography business. Jamie takes the initiative to learn and grow so she can provide veterans with the most up to date information they need to grow their business.
Amanda Brammer
Veteran, and Administrative Assistant, VBOC at McNulty Center (NY/NJ)
Amanda Brammer is the McNulty Veteran Business Center’s Administrative Assistant and joined the team in July 2023. She performs administrative tasks including assisting with correspondence, scheduling consultations for clients, updating calendars, travel arrangements, reporting, and compliance. She assists in the coordination and planning of meetings, events, webinars, conferences or other MC/VBOC events. Prior to joining the staff, she worked as an administrative support professional at the Watervliet Arsenal, in the healthcare and retail fields. Amanda is an U.S. Army Veteran, wife and a mother of three children. She brings her organizational skills, experience, dedication, and a commitment to serve the veteran community.
Consultants
Jesse Bryant
New Jersy Business Consultant
John Halleron
JRH Consulting, New York Business Consultant
The McNulty Center’s Veterans Business Outreach Center is partially funded by the U.S. SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD). The OVBD exists to help veterans become full partners in economic development through small business ownership.
You can visit their website at www.sba.gov/offices/headquarters/ovbd.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.