Captain Sherman Williams Jr. (Ret.) - Bridging Military Leadership and Entrepreneurial Innovation

Director of Partnerships, National Invest In Veterans Week®

Captain Sherman Williams Jr. (Ret.) exemplifies the fusion of military discipline and entrepreneurial innovation. With a distinguished 25-year career in the U.S. Army and subsequent success as a business leader, Williams has become a prominent advocate for veteran entrepreneurship. As the newly appointed Director of Partnerships for National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW), Williams is set to expand the organization’s intellectual property portfolio, corporate alliances, and global influence in veteran economic empowerment.

Military Service and Leadership

Williams dedicated 25 years to the U.S. Army, developing expertise in logistics, resource management, and operational efficiency. His military career included:

• 63B Light-Wheel Mechanic (15 years) – Maintaining and repairing essential military vehicles, ensuring operational readiness.

• 90A Logistics Officer (10 years) – Overseeing the efficient management and distribution of resources and supplies.

This extensive experience gave Williams a deep understanding of organizational leadership, strategic operations, and business scalability, skills that he now applies in his entrepreneurial and advocacy efforts.

Educational Achievements

Williams enhanced his leadership capabilities through multiple academic pursuits, including:

• Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership – Chapman University

• Bachelor of Business Administration – Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV)

• Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies – Institute for Veterans and Military Families

• Associate of Arts in Business, Management, and Marketing – Barstow Community College

These educational credentials, combined with his military experience, have enabled Williams to excel in business development, entrepreneurship, and veteran advocacy.

Entrepreneurial Success: Founder of Body Aqua

In 2015, Williams founded Body Water LLC, known by its brand name Body Aqua. Inspired by his military experiences, he identified a need for a functional, health-focused hydration solution. Body Aqua:

• Is infused with over 70 ionic sea minerals and maintains a balanced pH level of 7.5.

• Is diabetic-friendly, vegan-friendly, and collagen-producing, catering to health-conscious consumers.

• Has gained significant market traction, expanding into 388 Winn-Dixie stores across five states.

Williams’ strategic business acumen allowed him to navigate industry monopolies, secure retail distribution, and elevate Body Aqua into a competitive market position.

A Business Leader Strengthening National Invest In Veterans Week®

Williams’ appointment as Director of Partnerships for NIVW is a strategic move to expand the organization’s economic impact, market presence, and intellectual property portfolio. NIVW’s impressive IP holdings include:

• A congressionally honored trademark (National Invest In Veterans Week®), secured since 2019.

• Over 40 veteran-focused domains spanning U.S. and international markets, ensuring localized support for veteran entrepreneurs.

• A veteran business magazine syndicated across 19 U.S. and 21 international markets, amplifying veteran business success stories.

• A growing media and advocacy platform, positioning NIVW as a leading authority on veteran entrepreneurship and policy influence.

Williams’ proven ability to scale businesses, negotiate corporate partnerships, and drive revenue growth makes him the ideal leader to elevate NIVW’s brand and market influence.

Expanding Trademarks, Driving Market Innovation

Williams’ commitment to intellectual property protection is evident in his personal trademark portfolio, which includes 10 registered trademarks across multiple industries. His understanding of branding, trademark strategy, and business IP expansion will be invaluable in strengthening NIVW’s market reach and commercial impact.

Key Trademarks Registered by Williams:

• Body Aqua® – Functional hydration brand.

• Woof Water® & Meow Water® – Pet hydration solutions.

• Well Water 7.5 pH® – pH-balanced water for health-conscious consumers.

• Cosmetic Beverage® – A unique fusion of skincare and hydration.

• Kids Aqua® – Hydration products tailored for children.

His vision for market expansion and intellectual property development aligns perfectly with NIVW’s mission to create sustainable economic opportunities for veterans.

Advocacy and Thought Leadership

Williams is a recognized thought leader and advocate for veteran entrepreneurship. As a Chief Veteran Empowerment Officer for NIVW, he actively:

• Expands partnerships to create more funding, resources, and business opportunities for veterans.

• Develops corporate alliances across industries including healthcare, technology, and finance.

• Advances legislative advocacy to secure greater recognition and financial support for veteran-owned businesses.

Williams has also been a featured speaker at high-profile events, including the 2021 Veterans Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program hosted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where he discussed the importance of intellectual property protection for veteran businesses.

Shaping the Future of Veteran Entrepreneurship

Reflecting on his role, Williams stated:

“Veterans deserve more than just a seat at the table—we deserve to build the table. National Invest In Veterans Week has already transformed the landscape for veteran entrepreneurs, and I am honored to step into this role to help scale its partnerships, influence, and economic impact for the veteran community.”

Williams’ appointment ensures that NIVW continues its trajectory as the premier veteran business advocacy organization, setting new benchmarks in brand recognition, financial impact, and policy influence.