It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that National Invest In Veterans Week® (NIVW) and Tech From Vets announce the retirement of Drayton Florence, co-founder and Director of Partnerships, due to unforeseen medical circumstances. Florence has played a pivotal role in veteran entrepreneurship and advocacy, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to guide both organizations for years to come.

A Legacy of Service and Leadership

Drayton Florence's journey from NFL cornerback to veteran business advocate has been one defined by vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to those who have served. After an 11-season career in the NFL with teams including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, and Carolina Panthers, Florence pivoted to entrepreneurship and advocacy. He co-founded Tech From Vets in 2017, a veteran-owned technology company that went on to receive the 2017 BizTech Award from Comcast Business and the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Building upon that success, Florence co-founded National Invest In Veterans Week®, a congressionally recognized observance celebrated annually from March 1st to 7th, dedicated to supporting and amplifying the voices of veteran-owned businesses. His leadership and influence have been instrumental in positioning NIVW as a global movement.

Leadership Reflections on Drayton’s Impact

Drayton's retirement marks the end of an era, but his contributions will continue to shape the future of NIVW and Tech From Vets.

Angel Shuford, Vice President and CFO of National Invest In Veterans Week®, shared her appreciation:

“Drayton has been an extraordinary leader, mentor, and advocate for veteran entrepreneurship. His vision has laid the foundation for countless veteran-owned businesses to thrive. Though we will miss his leadership, his legacy will continue to inspire everything we do moving forward.”

Kevin D. Shoun, Senior Advisor for Civic Leadership and Policy Development at NIVW, also praised Florence’s contributions:

“Drayton’s work has been nothing short of transformational. He played an essential role in making NIVW what it is today—a nationally recognized and globally expanding initiative for veteran business support.”

New Leadership: A Dual Strategy to Strengthen NIVW’s IP and Market Presence

To ensure that Drayton’s legacy of leadership and innovation continues, Sherman Williams and Jim Freeman have been appointed to key advisory roles, further expanding NIVW’s intellectual property (IP) portfolio and market influence.

Sherman Williams Takes Over as Director of Partnerships

Sherman Williams, a retired U.S. Army Captain, veteran entrepreneur, and CEO of Body Water LLC, will take on the Director of Partnerships role for National Invest In Veterans Week®. Williams' deep background in business development, military leadership, and health-focused entrepreneurship will ensure that NIVW continues to expand its partnerships and impact.

Williams, a NaVOBA-certified veteran business owner, has demonstrated resilience in business innovation. He founded Body Water LLC (now known as Body Aqua) in 2015, developing a diabetic-friendly, vegan-friendly, and collagen-producing beverage aimed at improving hydration, reducing fatigue, and optimizing health. His expertise in business strategy, logistics, and navigating corporate monopolies will be crucial in guiding NIVW’s continued expansion into new industries and international markets.

His leadership in overcoming significant challenges—including the monopolization of the beverage industry—proves his ability to navigate high-level partnerships, government advocacy, and corporate negotiations. (DrinkBodyAqua.com)

Williams, reflecting on his new role, 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.”

Jim Freeman to Advise Angel Shuford on Cultural Partnerships

In a groundbreaking move to expand NIVW’s cultural influence, Jim Freeman, founding member of The Five Satins and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, will serve as Advisor to the CFO/VP for Cultural Partnerships.

Freeman, a legend in the music industry, played a key role in shaping doo-wop and R&B, with his contributions to the iconic hit “In the Still of the Night” cementing his place in music history. With a multi-generational recognition in the Congressional Record, Freeman’s expertise in cultural branding, media influence, and legacy-building will help NIVW integrate music, media, and advocacy into its long-term strategy.

Freeman’s advisory role will focus on:

• Enhancing NIVW’s cultural and media partnerships

• Leveraging music and entertainment to amplify veteran entrepreneurship

• Expanding brand reach through strategic collaborations

Freeman shared his perspective on joining NIVW:

“I’ve seen firsthand the power of music and cultural influence in shaping social movements. National Invest In Veterans Week has built an extraordinary platform, and I look forward to advising Angel on how we can continue expanding its reach in entertainment, corporate partnerships, and public engagement.”

The Future of National Invest In Veterans Week® and Tech From Vets

With Sherman Williams stepping into Drayton Florence’s role and Jim Freeman providing cultural advisory leadership, NIVW is positioned for unprecedented expansion. These strategic appointments will increase NIVW’s intellectual property, corporate visibility, and influence in both business and cultural sectors.

As the organization continues to push boundaries in veteran entrepreneurship, legislative advocacy, and global market expansion, its leadership remains committed to honoring the foundation built by Drayton Florence while preparing for the next evolution of veteran economic empowerment.

For more information about National Invest In Veterans Week®, visit InvestInVeteransWeek.com.