JDog Co-founder and CEO Jerry Flanagan to Judge the 6th Annual Veteran Shark Tank

BERWYN, Pa.--()--Jerry Flanagan, an Army Veteran and the co-founder and CEO of JDog Junk Removal & Hauling (JDog), has been selected as a judge for the Greater Philadelphia Veteran Network’s (GPVN) Veteran Shark Tank, a program designed to promote and assist Veterans who are starting or growing a business.

A 2014 Veteran Shark Tank contestant and a program mentor for the past three years, Flanagan comes to the judge panel with a firm understanding of what it takes to make it as a Veteran entrepreneur. In 2011, Flanagan and his wife Tracy launched JDog from their home in suburban Philadelphia. In the seven years since, the pair has transformed the company into the fastest growing junk removal franchise in the country with 200 active locations.

At the same time, Flanagan has become a leader in the movement to create business ownership and employment opportunities for Veterans. Eighty-five to 90 percent of JDog businesses are owned by Veterans, and the company has created 1,000 job opportunities nationwide.

“JDog shares Veteran Shark Tank’s mission to give aspiring Veteran entrepreneurs a chance, and as a judge in this year’s program, I’m honored to apply the lessons learned during my own journey to help make another Veteran’s dream of business ownership a reality,” said Flanagan. “Veterans possess the skills, passion, and resilience needed to run a business, but often don’t have the capital, advisors, or resources to get their idea off the ground. Veteran Shark Tank overcomes this challenge by providing access to a well-connected network of Veterans and industry leaders who can guide Veteran entrepreneurs on their path to success.”

Now in its sixth year, Veteran Shark Tank gives five aspiring Veteran entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business plan to a panel of “sharks” in front of an audience of over 200 business leaders and Veterans from across the country. The winning pitch receives $25,000, business services and support from the GPVN, and access to a vast Veteran network as they develop or grow their business.

Flanagan is one of five judges selected to evaluate this year’s participants. The panel also includes Mark Rockefeller, co-founder and CEO of StreetShares; John O’Hara, Director of Strategic Development at Comcast; Dana Spain, Managing Partner at Spain Property Group; and Jack Fanous, CEO of JobPath.

The 6th Annual Veteran Shark Tank will take place on Monday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Union League in Philadelphia. Lieutenant Colonel Justin Constantine, a Marine Corps Veteran and Veteran employment expert, will be the keynote speaker. For more information about the program, visit www.veteransharktank.com.

For information about owning a JDog Junk Removal & Hauling franchise, visit www.jdogfranchises.com.

About JDog Junk Removal & Hauling

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling is a Veteran-owned and operated national junk removal franchise that empowers Veterans through business ownership and serves customers the way its owners have served their country—with respect, integrity, and trust. The company offers its proven operating model to Veterans and military family members, creating a path for other Veterans to have successful careers and a bright future outside the service. To date, JDog Junk Removal & Hauling has 200 active franchises serving 40 million Americans. For more information, visit www.jdogjunkremoval.com.

Contacts

Denise DiMeglio
denise@gregoryfca.com
610-228-2102

Release Summary

JDog Junk Removal & Hauling co-founder and CEO to judge the 6th Annual Veteran Shark Tank, a program to promote and assist Veteran entrepreneurs.

Contacts

Denise DiMeglio
denise@gregoryfca.com
610-228-2102