www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, December 5, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE
Part II of our interview with“Insight with Chris Van Vliet” podcast host Chris Van Vliet talks about his podcast, interviewing The Rock for the first time, his life story, walking the red carpet, winning Emmys and more! PAGE 4 VOL. 32, NO. 44, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com | December 5-December 11, 2024
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Richmond-area Navy veteran wins National Entrepreneur of the Year Award Press Release
RICHMOND, Va. — Chelsea Mandello, founder and CEO of Sandston-based Troopster Military Care Packages, has been named Entrepreneur of the Year at the inaugural U.S. Forces in Business Awards, highlighting the growing impact of veteran-led businesses in the Richmond metropolitan area. The prestigious award, presented at a black-tie ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 21, recognizes outstanding achievements by military veterans in their post-service careers. Mandello, a U.S. Navy veteran, founded Troopster in 2016 after experiencing firsthand the challenges of receiving care packages while deployed. Since launching in 2016, Troopster has grown from a small startup to a nationally recognized nonprofit that has delivered more than 60,000 care packages to deployed service members worldwide. Selected among finalists from major corporations including American Airlines, GE Aerospace, and Vanguard, Mandello’s win highlights the growing impact of veteran entrepreneurs. The organization recently made headlines for its partnership with QTS Data Centers to support 10,000 deployed troops across 20 locations nationwide. “This award recognizes the incredible work of our entire Troopster team — the veterans, military spouses, volunteers, and corporate partners who pour their hearts into supporting our deployed service members,” said Mandello. “What started as a mission to solve a problem I experienced during my own Navy service has grown into something much bigger thanks to our dedicated team. Every care package we send represents countless hours of work from our staff and volunteers, and generous
Chelsea Mandello, a Navy veteran, is the Founder and CEO of Troopster Military Care Packs, a cause-driven organization dedicated to sending quality deployment packages to the service men and women overseas. (COURTESY PHOTOS)
support from our sponsors. This recognition belongs to everyone who has helped make Troopster’s impact possible.” The organization, headquartered in Sandston, currently maintains a list of over 38,000 troops awaiting care packages and
has established partnerships with major companies including QTS Data Centers, BAE Systems, Ferguson, TPG Financial, Dude Wipes, Duke Cannon and Black Rifle Coffee Company. The U.S. Forces in Business Awards program is part of the Ex-Forces in Business Awards, established in 2017 by Disruptive Media Group. As the world’s largest celebration of ex-military in second careers, the program highlights the value veterans bring to businesses and recognizes employers supporting military transitions. Following successful editions in London and Glasgow, the program expanded to launch its inaugural U.S. ceremony in 2024. The U.S. ceremony, held November 21 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville Hotel, brought together business and military leaders to celebrate veteran achievements across 14 award categories. The awards showcase military-gained skills and qualities that enable business excellence, while increasing visibility of role models who have carved out successful second careers. The event supports SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, with 10% of ticket proceeds donated to support their mission. For more information about supporting deployed troops or to learn more about corporate partnership opportunities, visit Troopster’s website www.troopster.com. About Troopster: Based in Sandston, VA, Troopster is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by a U.S. Navy Veteran. Dedicated to supporting deployed military personnel through personalized care packages, Troopster has delivered more than 60,000 care packages since 2016 and continues to work with corporate partners to provide comfort and support to service members worldwide.
HRT’s Base Express celebrates two years of service Press Release NORFOLK, Va., — Base Express, a free shuttle from Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) serving Naval Station Norfolk, celebrates its second anniversary on Dec. 2 following consistent ridership growth. Over the past two years, Base Express has carried more than 90,000 service members, dependents, government contractors and veterans on two routes as a vital link on and off base. Ridership grew from 1,183 in the first month of service, December 2022, to an average of nearly 5,000 every month through November 2024. “We’re excited to see so many service members taking advantage of this free service,” said William Harrell, President and CEO at Hampton Roads Transit. “We look forward to continuing our work with Naval Station Norfolk to provide mobility options so that service members and base visitors can get around conveniently and efficiently.”
Base Express has two routes: The Blue Route runs exclusively on base, providing weekday service to piers, aquatics center and other points of interest along Virginia Avenue and Towway Drive. The Blue Route runs every 15 minutes Monday-Friday from 0600-1800. Weekend service is not available. The Gold Route begins off base at the Navy Exchange. It provides daily, last-mile service to commuters using public transportation, vanpooling and carpooling or passengers who want to park off base. It operates along portions of Maryland Avenue, Dillingham Boulevard, and Gilbert Street Every 30 minutes MondayFriday from 0600-1800 and SaturdaySunday 0900-1800. You can even track the shuttle live online at https://nsn.transloc.com/routes. Base Express operates in partnership with James River Transportation and is funded by a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. To learn more, please visit gohrt. com/modes/base-express.
U.S. Fleet Forces Band offers a cheerful holiday performance Dec. 10th Press Release
As the holiday season approaches, the U.S. Navy is spreading festive cheer through the talents of its renowned Navy musicians. The U.S. Fleet Forces Band, known for its worldclass performances, is offering local radio and television stations the opportunity to host its Sailors on air to perform classic holiday tunes live for their audiences. In addition to delighting viewers and listeners with music that captures the spirit of the season, these talented Sailors will highlight a FREE holiday concert
by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band. The concert will take place at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, December 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The concert promises an evening of joy and tradition, featuring a mix of holiday classics and contemporary favorites perfect for the whole family. Tickets to this highly anticipated event are free and can be reserved at www.sandlercenter.org Don’t miss this opportunity! This holiday season, let the U.S. Fleet Forces Band share its time-honored tradition of musical excellence with your listeners and viewers.
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(U.S. FLEET FORCES BAND PHOTO)
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