CruiseOne/Dream Vacations Awards Travel Franchises To Five Vets
by Jessica Montevago /CruiseOne/Dream Vacations is celebrating Veteran’s Day with a ceremony recognizing the 2016 winners of the “Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General” contest.
The annual contest was open to former members of any of the five branches of the U.S. military who are retired, off active duty and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date. Candidates participated in a three-part application process that included creating a business plan and a video essay, and phone interviews. More than 1,300 people applied for franchise ownership through Operation Vetrepreneur.
This year’s winners are Air Force Veteran Jason Bloomquist of Maple Shade, NJ; Navy Veteran Cory Jennings of Midland, TX; Air Force Veteran James Selleh of Brentwood, TN; Air Force Veteran Jay Starks of Sandy, UT; and Air Force Veteran Chuck Wellman of Beaverton, OR. The winners are attending a weeklong training at CruiseOne/Dream Vacations’ world headquarters in Fort Lauderdale.
Since launching the contest five years ago, CruiseOne/Dream Vacations has awarded 25 free franchises valued at more than $317,000 to military veterans.