COLD SPRING, Ky. — DAV (Disabled American Veterans) has awarded the Arthur H. and Mary E. Wilson Award with a prize of $10,000 to Glendora, Calif., disabled veteran owned Ottosen and Co. for their superior performance in the business plan competition while undergoing training in the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program (EBV) in the specialty category of “Top Venture Impacting Veterans.”

The award will be formally presented at DAV’s 95th National Convention in Atlanta, Aug. 1.

Disabled veteran Ryan Ottosen and his wife, Traci, founded the Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (VASH) Network in January 2013.

VASH is a national network of housing professionals who share a commitment to those who’ve served. The network is comprised of real estate and mortgage specialists dedicated to preventing and ending veteran homelessness.

They accomplish this by providing safe and affordable rental housing, credit repair, pre-qualification, housing education and a pathway to home ownership for veterans.

“Ryan and Traci’s vision works hand-in-hand with the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development,” said National Commander Moses A. McIntosh Jr. “They’re frontline combatants in the war against veteran homelessness and work hard to ensure every veteran has one of the most important things critical for a fulfilling life – a home.”

“Traci and I have accomplished a lot of things in our lives; however, nothing makes us prouder than to build a business which helps to house the people who defend this nation’s freedom,” said Ottosen.  “As a disabled veteran, to be recognized by the DAV as the best venture impacting other veterans I am humbled and honored.”