COLD SPRING, Ky. — A Houston company that makes it part of their business strategy to hire veterans will receive the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Small Employer of the Year Award Aug. 1 during the 95th DAV National Convention in Atlanta.

Veteran Energy, a commercial, industrial and residential electricity provider, was selected over more than a dozen other businesses with fewer than 200 employees that were vying for the national-level honor.

“I’m grateful Veteran Energy is helping ensure the promise our country made to the men and women who served is kept,” said DAV National Commander Moses A. McIntosh Jr. “They know that hiring veterans isn’t an act of charity. It’s smart business.”

More than 90 percent of Veteran Energy’s workforce is comprised of veterans, and 85 percent are disabled veterans. The company provides an extensive and comprehensive training program to ensure their veteran hires have the essential skills they need to be successful. Veteran Energy has partnered with the local Department of Veterans Affairs offices and city leaders to ensure transitioning veterans and those who are at risk of becoming homeless do not have their electricity turned off.

“My company and personal mission have become much more than selling power since 2010,” said Army veteran, president and founder of Veteran Energy Kevin Barber. “It is truly a social enterprise and our mission is vital to this community.

“It’s about assisting that combat Army veteran and mother of two children who has her lights turned off and can’t pay the bill. We are the ones who turn them on and get her immediate needs assistance utilizing our network. It’s about the Navy veteran who needed a car; we utilized our resources to assist and get her a car for transporting her and her children to school. These are just a few of the successes we have experienced since I started this company four years ago, and we have many more to come,” Barber said.