Mentor Protégé program joins growing Hawaiian business with Battelle

The word Lokahi describes collaboration, cooperation and working together to achieve more. It’s a core value of Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC., (NHV) but also could describe what both Battelle and NHV hope to get out of the Mentor Protégé arrangement recently made official by the Department of Defense.

Native Hawaiian Veterans has grown since its inception in 2005 and is doing well, but faces hurdles that many small businesses do. By working with Battelle in the Mentor Protégé program, it hopes to strengthen its business infrastructure and improve technology transfer. George Mason University also will be involved.

President and CEO Ray Jardine said the company was selective when choosing a partner company. Having worked on prior contracts with Battelle, “We liked the nonprofit status, its longevity and approach to business. It’s a good match of values,” he said. Native Hawaiian Veterans employs about 95 people and focuses on homeland security, emergency management, information technology, professional services, CBRNE, AFTP, communication installation and unexploded ordnance remediation. It has headquarters in Hawaii and offices in Arlington, VA.

The Mentor Protégé program benefits both parties, said Ken Tourison, a Battelle manager who is coordinating the program. The government often requires that small businesses be represented on contract bids. “They’re already a pretty solid company, but if we can help strengthen key areas, then we both can win more contracts and provide more valuable services to the DoD.”

About Battelle

As the world’s largest, independent research and development organization, Battelle provides innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing needs through its four global businesses: Laboratory Management, National Security, Energy Technology, and Health and Life Sciences. It advances scientific discovery and application by conducting $6.2 billion in global R&D annually through contract research, laboratory management and technology commercialization. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle oversees 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide, including seven national laboratories which Battelle manages or co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and one international nuclear laboratory in the United Kingdom. Battelle also is one of the nation’s leading charitable trusts focusing on societal and economic impact and actively supporting and promoting science and math education. For more information contact Katy Delaney by email or at (614) 424-7208, or T.R. Massey by email or at (614) 424-5544.