The Virginia Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Network has selected Cmdr. Michael W. Leigh, USN (ret.) and CEO of OpX Solutions, as the 2014 Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year. The Roanoke Regional SBDC nominated Leigh for the award, which will be presented at the Veterans-in-Business Conference to be held in Arlington on March 26.
Leigh is the founder and CEO of OpX Solutions and co-owner of Kaizen Healthcare Innovations. He began his military service in 1988 by joining the U.S. Navy Nuclear Power Officer Candidate program while still in college. Following graduation, he earned his commission and served 10 years in the Navy. He left active duty in 1999 to begin a 13-year manufacturing career with General Electric, and continued to serve in the reserves until his retirement in 2008.
In 2001, he was recalled to active duty following the terrorist attacks on 9/11. He remained on active duty for nearly eight months in support of homeland security. He has earned numerous qualifications and awards during his military career, including two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement Medals, and qualified as a Nuclear Engineer, Tactical Action Officer, and Surface Warfare Officer. He is a member of the Association of the U.S. Navy and the Military Officers of America.
The Small Business Veteran of the Year award was established in 2000 to recognize veterans who have made a significant contribution to Virginia’s economy through involvement in small business and who have made a significant difference in their communities by promoting a sense of duty and an appreciation of country, democracy, and freedom. A Virginia Metalcrafter’s brass urn engraved with the names of each award recipient is permanently and prominently displayed in Virginia’s War Memorial in Richmond.
