Nancy-jo Manney, the Executive Director of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, says her organization is about building relationships between people. Since last month, the Chamber has been paying special attention to one group of people: area veterans.

Starting in the middle of November, the Chamber has partnered with Corporate Gray, a company that connects veterans with employers. Members of the Chamber, which includes companies in Franconia and Kingstowne, can post jobs for free on Corporate Gray, and search for qualified veterans at a discount.

"We wanted to be able to reach out to the military and also so that our members could reach out to those folks," Manney said.

Corporate Gray is run by Carl Savino, a Fairfax Station resident. Savino served in the United States Army for 14 years, eventually achieving the rank of Major, before leaving in 1992. Although he says he didn't have trouble finding employment after leaving the service, he knows other veterans do.

"Sometimes they have difficulty translating their military skills and experience into equivalent civilians occupations," Savino said. Veterans entering civilian life also face problems negotiating civilian forms of compensation, according to Savino.

For Chamber members who are government contractors, participating in the Chamber's programs with Corporate Gray allows them to fulfill government requirements that contractors be open to hiring veterans.

Veterans or employers interested more information about the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce's program with Corporate Gray can visit its website.