Harrisonburg Company Selected to Participate in Virginia’s VALET Program

RICHMOND - The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) today announced the acceptance of a Harrisonburg company, Tactical & Survival Specialties (TSSI), into its two-year Virginia Leaders in Export Trade (VALET) program. Launched in January 2002, the program assists exporters in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an expansion strategy. 

Tactical & Survival Specialties joins the program as part of the 16th class of VALET companies. To participate, each eligible business must meet several quantitative criteria and complete an application process. Participating firms are chosen based on their dedication to growth through export. Currently, more than 100 Virginia companies have been accepted to participate in the VALET program. 

Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business which was founded in 1980, and incorporated in 1990 with the goal of providing support to U.S. military Special Operations organizations. It is the oldest privately held company in the tactical equipment marketplace. TSSI has expanded its customer focus to include logistical support for military, law enforcement and disaster response organizations. TSSI and its strategic partners, SPSA, LLC and Team One network, LLC, provide a total solutions package of equipment, training and project management to dedicated professionals, creating a complement of products and services that is unique and unrivaled in the industry. 

“TSSI is very pleased to be part of the 2009 VALET Program, as this program is key to our strategy to reach and develop new global markets with our best in class product distribution, services and logistics solutions,” said Don Wright, International Sales Manager, TSSI. “As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, VALET affords us the opportunity to take advantage of the networking opportunities the State of Virginia has worked so hard to develop internationally.” 

The VALET program incorporates services from a team of experienced international service providers who assist the VALET companies with their international goals. Service providers such as attorneys, Web designers, bankers, translators and freight-forwarders contribute essential skills for expansion into international markets.

“VALET welcomes TSSI into the program,” said Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager. “We look forward to working with its international team over the course of the next two years to assist the company in exceeding export goals.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.

To learn more about the VALET program, contact Leslie Parpart, VALET Program Manager, at LParpart [at] YesVirginia.org or visit the programs tab at www.ExportVirginia.org.