VETSS, Inc., is a veteran-owned business enterprise that trains military veterans tranisitioning from active military service for positions within the renewable energy industry.  Our headquarters is aboard the Owen Ridge Campus located in Webster Groves, MO, a suburb of Saint Louis, MO.  At that location we conduct training, manage sales and services thorough our Nationwide Installer Network of fellow veteran-owned solar, wind and geothermal businesses.  We use these relationships to advance our collarborative efforts with the Veterans Administration (VA), the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Energy (DOE)and various veteran organizations such as the American Legion, VFW, and Marine Corps League to reach potential students/employers from coast-to-coast.  Our close working relationship with the Missouri Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) enabled us to enroll (graduate) one of its members at our April 2009 training session conducted in St. Louis.

VETSS remains focused on preparing and positioning its students (graduates) for positions in the solar, wind, geothermal, and now green-construction disciplines of renewable energy.  We continue to expand our base to include products and services that offer interested veterans and business owners to team with us as a source, resource and/or solution for their renewable/sustainable needs.

The Alberici Corporation Headquarters, located a mere ten minutes from our Owen Ridge Campus office, is a sister training site for our students.  Mr. John Alberici, Chairman of the Board, Alberici Corporation, personally greets each attending VETSS student.  Why?  Because he too is a military veteran who had the ability, innovation and determination to succeed in his endeavor to go “green”, as exampled by his decision to take a “green” approach in constructing their new corporate headqurters.  Alberici headquarters has attained the highest level of green building LEED certification: Platinum.

Professionalism Continues following active duty by joining our VETSS’ Renewable Energy Team.  Our Team’s “stock-in-trade” is responsibility; resourcefulness; respect, and reputation of millions of fellow veterans demanding safe products, solid performance and safeguarding potential employment for those veterans who follow.  Our motto:  Professionalism Continues is based on the fact that our next project(contract) is based on the superior performance of our TEAM’s last project (contract).

Mobile Training Units ~ Global Project Teams

Whether training with our teaming partner, the University of Missiouri-Columbia (ENTECH), or working with partners Sand Energy, Solaris Energy or Bauer Power (all members of the VETSS Nationwide Installer Network), our performance and professionalism is JOB 1.  No shortcuts, no compromise, no excuses!  Our team includes members of all military services whose education, expertise and experiences bring degrees, certifications, and a combined completion number of 100+ renewable energy projects.  Most within the United States, with many project completions being throughout China and Korea.

VETSS is prepared, and positioned, to accept projects in solar, wind, and geothermal for residential, commercial and military applications.  As depicted in the above photo, our military veterans that range from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, are ready for action in solar energy contracts today.

VETSS established its Renewable Energy Training Institute (RETI) during early August 2009, and will commence its first Solar Energy course on August 31, 2009.  The Solar Energy course, a 180-day (240-hour) training program, takes solar novices to NABCEP exam ready enroute to employment.

Solar professionals such as Roger Coughlan and Jake Tornazky will be lead instructors throughout the six-month program that includes classroom, on-site and actual solar projects throughout the period of instruction.  The Institute, located at the VETSS Owen Ridge Campus, will have students attending during the afternoon hours and evening hours, Monday through Thursday. 

VETSS, following a very successful 10-day “green training” training program that involved numerous utility companies and corporate green businesses, has designed and developed a more indepth program that covers all aspects of skill requirements for graduates to become proficient and productive integrators and installers within the solar industry. 

Inner Circle Logistics teams with VETSS to Power Up Saint Croix, USVI.  VETSS will train island military veterans in the skills needed to install solar energy systems, then hire graduates to install a solar energy farm at Inner Circle Logisitics’ 10-acre headquarters property site on the island.  Following the completion of the solar project, VETSS  will train a different group of veterans in  wind energy, then install a 10 kW wind turbine at the same site location.

VETSS Energy Institute planning first renewable energy training facility for military veterans.

Vaughn Prost (Prost Builders) and Charles Boyd (VETSS) team to develop a historic hospital located in Louisiana, MO, into the VETSS Energy Institute (VEI), the first energy institute west of the Mississippi.  Discussions continue with Mayor Giltner on how VETSS and Prost Builders can help the City of Louisiana complement their Dreams Program initiative in rebuilding their city.  VEI will train veterans and city residents renewable energy skills, then hire those same students in the ”green” renovation of the hopsital - to include wiring in and powering up neighboring homes and businesses to the solar array system and geothermal heat pump loop being installed.

VETSS visits Washington to discuss delivering SOLAR energy systems using military veterans.

The Department of Energy invited VETSS “again” to Washington to discuss its training program and potential geothermal “pilot” project for Dr. Xu, Team VETSS and the University of Missouri-Columbia to compete for in the coming months.  VETSS also led delegation of five (5) solar energy companies to share their willingness to compete for IRAQ solar projects with Pentagon officials.

Charles Boyd, CEO, VETSS, makes office call on Senator Clarie McCaskill in early 2009.