Recipients to be Recognized During Virtual Ceremony Feb. 19
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today announced the winners of the 2025 Boots to Business Instructor of the Year awards, honoring educators and professionals whose service and dedication have made a lasting difference for America’s service members, veterans, and military spouses pursuing entrepreneurship.
These awards recognize individuals who go above and beyond to support the men and women who have served our nation, helping them translate their military experience into successful business ownership. Through mentorship, instruction, and unwavering commitment, this year’s honorees play a critical role in ensuring that veterans and military families have the tools and confidence needed to build their next chapter.
“Our veterans and military families have given so much in service to our country, and these instructors honor that service by investing in their futures,” said SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development Assistant Administrator Kevin Barber. “By sharing their expertise and guidance, they help military-connected entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, confidence, and resources they need to succeed in business. We are profoundly grateful for their dedication and for the veterans and spouses they serve.”
The Boots to Business (B2B) program, part of the Department of War’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP), provides foundational entrepreneurship courses to help members of the military community explore business ownership and build essential small business knowledge.
In 2025, the SBA expanded the Instructor of the Year program to include two new award categories, recognizing professionals who provide specialized instruction in areas such as finance and marketing – critical skills for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned small businesses.
The 2025 Boots to Business Instructor of the Year award recipients are:
- Tanisha Baptiste-Bynum, SBA’s Connecticut District Office
- David Smith, Small Business Development Center at Texas Tech University
- David Chappell, Milwaukee SCORE
- Jason Payne, Los Angeles Regional Veterans Business Outreach Center
- Lisa Nutt, Women’s Business Center of Southern Arizona
- David Park, Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families
- Joshua Dunlap, U.S. Bank (Banking category)
- Shaundell Newsome, Sumnu Marketing (“Other” category)
The recipients will be honored during the 2025 Instructor of the Year Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. The virtual event is open to the public, and registration information is available at bit.ly/4oZCemd.
Through partnerships with organizations nationwide, the Boots to Business program continues to serve as a vital bridge for veterans and military families transitioning from service to civilian life, providing education, mentorship, and resources that honor their service and help ensure long-term economic opportunity.
For more information about the Boots to Business program, visit www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness.