JV PARTNERSHIP
Ben Skyles, CEO & President, ProSource360
John Ely, COO & President, Health Solutions, ERP International
Many believe the highest form of trailblazing is a Joint Venture (JV). This is when two or more trailblazers are able to trust each other enough to pool their resources for the purpose of gaining additional contracts. A HUBZone JV takes on a special significance because that trust often benefits multiple communities. ERP International and ProSource360 have successfully achieved that level of trust, and it has taken on the form of a JV named ERProsource360. Both Mr. Skyles and Mr. Ely will admit they had to kiss a lot of frogs before they found the right company to settle down with, but in the end, the joy they have been able to bring to HUBZone communities in West Virginia has been worth it. Both trailblazers come from military families. Their military fathers instilled in them a deep sense of commitment, adaptability, tenacity, and integrity. After serving in the military, Mr. Skyles’ father started his own business. Watching his father operate the business became the catalyst for Mr. Skyles to establish ProSource360. He said, “I wouldn't be who I am today. He absolutely was a trailblazer. I watched him leave his job, take the risk of starting his company. I watched him build it on some foundational principles of leadership in service.”
trailblazers have been able to create and sustain high-paying jobs in rural HUBZone communities, where they're needed most. The JV’s employees often travel half the world, where they roll up their sleeves and accomplish the physical labor to support our medical troops.
Aligning Dual Purposes The impact these trailblazers are having globally, because they choose to work together, will have a domino effect on our generation and the ones to come. Their JV supports the medical needs of DoD and VA, active military dependents, and Veterans while creating jobs and services within HUBZone communities. Mr. Skyles is energized every time he has a meeting with his Morgantown staff. His employees make it clear how much they appreciate the logistical work they do for the Army Medical Services. He said, “these folks love their jobs and aren’t afraid to tell everyone, many of them have been on the same contract for more than 10 years. My employees talk about how this contract has been the best thing that ever happened to them. This work is so powerful from the standpoint we get to bring needed jobs to rural HUBZone communities while ensuring the readiness of our Army medical forces with the supplies and materials needed in military installations in places like Germany, Korea,
Creating Jobs Where They Are Needed Most
The Army did it right. This Morgantown contract operates in a HUBZone-centric area, where the JV is able to have billable resources who actually live in the community. These
Ben Skyles and his team at WVU football game. Photo Source: HUBZone Council