The Moment That Revealed a Broken System

Eric “Doc” Wright did not set out to start a company. In 2015, he was a university professor teaching business courses and watching something deeply troubling unfold in his classroom. Veteran student high performers with real leadership experience were struggling to transition into civilian careers. They were told to “go get an education,” yet the traditional academic model was not serving them.

They were completing assignments in days, disengaged, frustrated, and uncertain about how their military experience was translated to the workforce. Doc recognized the disconnect immediately. These students were not lacking skill, they lacked translation.

So, he tried something different. He took a small group of veterans and reframed their military experience through the lens of project management. He taught them how to speak the language of corporate America, helped them earn recognized certifications, and coached them on how to present themselves in interviews.

The results were immediate: 100 percent graduation and 100 percent job placement. Vets2PM had found product market fit and a mission.

From Military Experience to Civilian Careers

At its core, Vets2PM is a vocational school but not in the traditional sense. While most vocational programs focus on blue-collar trades, Vets2PM trains veterans for a white-collar profession that exists in every industry: project management.

The program is intentionally simple and repeatable. Over 60 days, students earn three project management certifications, complete on-the-job training, and receive coaching on resumes, LinkedIn, networking, and interview preparation. Most importantly, they receive direct job placement support.

The result is more than employment. It is an identity restoration. Veterans move from uncertainty to purpose into careers paying $80,000 to $100,000 per year, restoring stability for families and communities alike.

Why the Mission Matters

Doc understands the stakes personally. He experienced a difficult transition himself and knows how quickly purpose can disappear when structure is removed. On Friday, a service member may be a leader relied upon by their unit. By Monday, they are just another applicant in line.

Vets2PM exists to close that gap. Meaningful employment reduces economic instability, strengthens communities, and directly impacts veteran suicide prevention. For Doc, this is not just workforce development; it is a national defense issue.

When veterans thrive, businesses benefit, tax bases grow, and the economy strengthens. The ripple effects reach far beyond individual careers.

A Veteran-Led Workforce with a Shared Purpose

Vets2PM operates with a lean, highly experienced team of approximately 16 employees, most of whom are retired or service-disabled veterans. The company’s distributed workforce spans multiple states, mirroring the population it serves.

Culture is rooted in familiar military values: integrity, commitment, and excellence. The organization is structured much like a military unit, with clear roles, accountability, and shared ownership. Profit sharing reinforces that mindset everyone thinks like an owner, not an employee.

The goal is simple: create the workplace everyone wished they had after leaving the service.

Consistent Growth Through Adversity

Over its ten-year history, Vets2PM has averaged 25–35 percent year-over-year growth. That trajectory has not been linear. Government shutdowns, sequestration, and COVID-19 halted travel, base access, and training almost overnight.

But resilience is built into the organization’s DNA. Because the team was already distributed and technology-enabled, Vets2PM pivoted quickly to live virtual training and continued serving veterans nationwide. Each downturn strengthened operations, sharpened efficiency, and positioned the company to rebound stronger.

Historically, every challenging year has been followed by accelerated growth.

Scaling With Discipline, Not Speed

Today, Vets2PM is transitioning from growth to scale. With a new five-year strategic plan underway, the organization plans to expand into additional military installations across the country, forming new regional “fire teams” staffed primarily by veterans.

Conservative projections call for a ten-to-fifteen-fold increase in revenue and a doubling of staff over the coming years while maintaining the quality and outcomes that define the brand.

National accreditation, expected in 2026, is anticipated to be a major catalyst, allowing Vets2PM to operate seamlessly across installations nationwide.

A Competitive Edge Built on Accountability

What sets Vets2PM apart is not speed or marketing; it is accountability. The organization is licensed by the Florida Department of Education, approved by the Florida and Texas Departments of Veterans Affairs, and subject to rigorous reporting requirements.

Outcomes matter. Placement matters. If expectations are not met, there is real oversight. That transparency builds trust with veterans, employers, and government partners alike.

Vets2PM does not promise certificates. It promises careers.

Florida as the Ideal Home Base

Though originally from California and Indiana, Doc proudly calls Florida home. As a veteran, employer, and citizen, he believes Florida offers unmatched alignment between policy, workforce development, and economic growth.

Balanced budgets, fair regulations, veteran-focused initiatives, and a pro-business environment make Florida the ideal base for a mission-driven organization like Vets2PM. The company’s growth plans are deeply tied to Florida’s continued leadership in supporting veterans and employers alike.

Community Impact Beyond the Classroom

Vets2PM gives back through scholarships for underserved populations, support of veteran organizations, and pro bono workshops nationwide. The company works closely with chambers of commerce, military transition communities, and national organizations like the Society of American Military Engineers.

The organization focuses on one critical piece of the transition puzzle: professional and economic stability partnering with others to support mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Defining Success Beyond Revenue

Financial growth fuels the mission, but impact defines success. Today, Vets2PM serves 1,200 to 1,800 veterans annually. The long-term goal is 10,000 per year, with the potential to grow far beyond that.

Doc envisions a future where Vets2PM becomes synonymous with military-to-project-management transition where veterans automatically know where to go, and employers know exactly what they are getting.

A rising tide lifts all boats.

Why the GrowFL Recognition Matters

Being named a GrowFL Company to Watch is deeply validating for the Vets2PM team. The recognition affirms not only growth, but mission alignment proof that the organization’s work is strengthening Florida’s workforce, economy, and national defense posture.

For Doc, the honor belongs to the team, the veterans who trusted the process, and the partners who believed in the mission.

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Doc’s advice is grounded in experience: move fast, test early, and do not build in a vacuum. Hire professionals sooner than you think you need them. Break big plans into executable chunks. Measure what matters and eliminate what does not work.

Above all, hire for capability and ownership. Build a real company, not a hobby because when the mission matters, execution matters more.

About GrowFL’s Programs

GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch (FLCTW)

The Florida Companies to Watch program, hosted annually by GrowFL, celebrates top second-stage companies across the state for their impressive growth and entrepreneurial success. This prestigious program recognizes 50 standout businesses each year, chosen from hundreds of nominees. Honorees are celebrated for their innovation, economic impact on Florida’s economy, and the ability to scale effectively. Through FLCTW, GrowFL not only acknowledges these companies’ achievements but also brings them into a spotlight that enhances their visibility in the marketplace. The event offers an extraordinary opportunity for networking, sharing best practices, and gaining exposure to potential investors and partners, making it a cornerstone for fostering business growth and recognition within Florida’s vibrant business community.

Join us on February 26, 2026 for the 15th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Gala
at Hard Rock Live, Universal City Walk, Orlando, FL.