IVMF instructor and Whitman School professor brings experience as a veteran and entrepreneur to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s flagship transition program for service members.

David Park, a program instructor at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and associate professor of entrepreneurship in the Whitman School of Management, has been named one of eight 2025 Boots to Business Instructors of the Year, providing national recognition for his role helping U.S. service members chart their own path from uniform to business ownership.

Helping Veterans and Military Spouses Shorten the Learning Curve

“I am passionate about helping service members, veterans and military spouses shorten the trial-and-error cycle, build confidence and move forward with practical tools and a clear roadmap to launch and grow successful ventures,” he says. “Being named SBA’s Boots to Business Instructor of the Year means a great deal to me because it reflects the privilege of supporting participants at a pivotal moment in their lives.”

“What makes David’s contribution to the IVMF, the Whitman School and Boots to Business so impactful is that he has lived the very journey he’s teaching,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive dean of the Whitman School and founder and executive director of the IVMF.

“He served in uniform, navigated his own transition, co-founded a business and then chose to dedicate his career to preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs. For the service members and military spouses sitting in his classroom, that credibility matters,” Haynie says. “David’s recognition by the SBA is well-deserved, and it speaks to the kind of impact that’s possible when world-class teaching and a genuine commitment to the military community come together.”

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