Trust Vets offers connections, support

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SANDPOINT — Through Trust Vets, the brotherhood — and sisterhood — of military service extends into the business world.

Founded by Joe Johnson, the group directs the public to veteran-owned businesses and gives Trust Vets members an avenue to support each other through referrals, networking and relationships.

It’s an experience that regional membership coordinator Rich Faletto finds to be extremely rewarding.

“There’s a lot of self-satisfaction that comes with introducing these people to one another,” said Faletto, a 21-year Air Force veteran. “Because the purpose of the gatherings that we have is not to conduct a meeting, we don’t have meetings in the in the true sense of the word, but what we do is promote each other’s businesses.”

For Reid Barr, owner of Route 66, joining the Sandpoint branch of Trust Vets was a no-brainer. Like most in the group, he’s a veteran — and the rest either employee veterans or have family in the military.

“It’s a brotherhood and we all need to stand by our brothers and sisters,” Barr said. “When you deal with a vet, I don’t care what age group you’re at, everybody looks out for each other. And that’s missing in today’s world.”

He said having served in the military, he trusts other veterans to have his back, and knows they have the same dedication, work ethic and determination — all characteristics ingrained in him during his service.

He knows that when he refers customers who come into his shop and mention needing a service he knows a fellow Trust Vets member offers, they’ll be in good hands.

“The positive attitude from everybody else to support others is very unique,” Barr said. “It’s something that’s missing in today’s world and in our country. And if people want to know how to run the country or live in this country, become a vet and find out what it’s like, you know, everybody takes care of each other.”

When Barr left where he was working to buy Route 66, the confidence to launch his own business was a skill he’d gained serving in the military. While tough, he knew he would be able to run the business and make it a success.

“And I think that’s part of what the military instills in you,” Barr said. “You don’t back away from a challenge and take it on. Whether it works out or not, there’s no other option, you just go and you do it. And so that’s what you do.”

Being tested is a part of military training, and you learn, said another veteran, that you are up to any challenge — and not only meet them head-on but to thrive while doing so.

“We know that the other vets are going to be having those same character traits, regardless of what branch they served in and or what business they might be,” he said.

So when it comes to recommending that business, local Trust Vets members said they know customers will have a positive experience. And if they need a service offered by a fellow member, they know they’ll get a good product, a fair price and a top-notch experience.

Being tested comes as part of military training and experience, being pushed and challenged teaches you that you can not only meet those challenges, but thrive as a result — all skills which translate well in business, Trust Vets members said.

“Vets are really disciplined through our training and military service, and they carry that over into the workplace,” one veteran said. “They’re not messing around, there’s a discipline and a positive thinking.”

Ken Hunt, owner of Attleboro Knives, said he has benefited as a member of Trust Vets, sharing his experiences and, through networking, has been able to grow his business. As a result, he recently landed an order from the NRA for 1,100 knives and has enjoyed one of his best years yet.

“The value of us helping each other, it’s powerful,” Hunt said. “It just is.”

The personal relationships forged through their shared military background is complemented by Trust Vets, Hunt said.

As a result, the group becomes a conduit to share ideas, offer support and network, he added.

“There’s always a level of understanding and we speak the same language, we all want these certain things,” Hunt said. “You can be in the same firefight, the same jump, the same operation, and be 100 yards from me and you have a totally different perspective. It doesn’t mean it’s the same. But at least it’s a parallel perspective that we all get.

“And we all automatically respect each other as men, women, Marine, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, whatever.”

Members include Eric Thompson of Kokanee Coffee, Reid Barr of Route 66, Tom Robideaux of Alpine Motors and Ken Hunt of Attleboro Knives — to name just a few. Starting at just a few, there are now more than 50 members — ranging from business that are veteran-owned to those which employ veterans.

“I think a lot of them start businesses because they acquired the some of the necessary skills when they were on active duty in the military,” Faletto said. “Many, many of these people learn, you know, basic accounting techniques, and so on and marketing techniques, and especially the technical information required to do the kind of manufacturing some of them do.”

Faletto said the members form bonds, and shares how one member — Terry Bolstead — needed to fix his plane — was able to connect with another member — Jason Johnson — who was able to manufacture the needed parts.

Seeing those connections is satisfying, as is helping them succeed by providing an avenue to connect, Faletto said.

“I am totally committed to promoting Sandpoint, and what better way than to focus on veterans and the contribution that these veterans have made, not only when they were on active duty, but now,” he said. “We have some heroes, some real heroes here.”

While many Trust Vets members served 20 years of more, developer Dick Villelli, who is helping build the new Kaniksu Health Services building that will include a VA clinic.

While he served two years, Villelli said he has many family members who served, including his father who was a prisoner of war and his father-in-law who made seven landings during World War II.

He became a Trust Vets member and said he enjoys talking with the members and offering his support.

“I still carry the Purple Heart that my dad got and I think these guys need to know that there’s friends around,” Villelli said. “Like I said, I’m not a lifer, but I can identify with them.”

He enjoys going to the gatherings, visiting and listening and offering reinforcement, being a support in whatever way he can, he said.

“I’m just here because I’m someone who is capable of coming by and having a beer with them and empathizes with them,” he added.