Wayne M. Gatewood, Jr.

Mr. Gatewood of Annandale, Virginia, joined the Marine Corps in June 1966, in Rochester, New York at the age of 17, and graduated from MCRD, Parris Island, South Carolina, during October 1966. He served in the Republic of Vietnam during June 1968 through July 1969, with Sub-Unit One, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO). While serving 21 years of active duty, Wayne earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Management from Wayland Baptist University, and a Master’s of Science Degree in International Relations from Troy State University. Mr. Gatewood returned to Northern Virginia from Marine Support Battalion, Rota, Spain during July 1987, and retired from active duty at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Subsequent to his departure from active duty, Mr. Gatewood served as a Project and Program Manager in support of federal government and commercial clients, and during December 1989, established Quality Support, Inc., a technical, management, and administrative support services firm. Quality Support has since grown into a competitive and very reputable firm with more than 100 employees, and mirrors the work ethic and values consistent the U.S. Marine Corps.

Quality Support’s Corporate Office is located in Landover, Maryland, and the Company has maintained facilities in Oakland, CA, and in London, England in behalf of the U. S. Department of State. Quality Support has supported overseas operations in Jordon, Libya, Egypt, and supported both Bosnia and Kosovo Free Elections in 2000.

Mr. Gatewood and Quality Support have been recipients of numerous awards over the years to include a 2007 U.S. Department of Defense Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Award, U.S. Veterans Administration Center for Veterans Enterprise 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award, U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award for 2007, SBA Washington Area District Director’s Award for 2006, SBA Washington District Office Veterans Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, American Express OPEN Small Business Award, U.S. Department of State 2004 Small Business Excellence Award, African-American Patriots Jeffries Carey National Achievement Award, and the NAACP Washington, DC Chapter 2006 Leadership Award. Wayne was also featured on OPEN American Express small business radio commercials and is currently featured the on-line in OPEN Small Business Forum.

Known as an expert in the Service Disabled Veterans Small Business Program under Public Laws 106-50, 108-93, and other related Laws, Mr. Gatewood provides testimony to the House Small Business Committee, sits on a number of small business and advocacy councils, and serves as a small business advocate while participating in a variety of small business forums. On a volunteer basis, Wayne disseminates a daily Veterans News e-mail to an international audience, provides motivational and entrepreneurial seminars and small business briefings to both government and commercial audiences, and provides service members and Veterans with cost-free pre-retirement counseling, mentorship, and networking support. Wayne also travels around the United States providing small business presentations regarding Veterans small business laws and programs and federal government contracting issues. Wayne takes great joy in meeting and speaking with aspiring small business owners from all parts of the small business community, especially Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.