
Nicholas Martinelli serves as the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV) Program Manager at CCEI, where he provides program leadership and administrative support for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV). In this role, he oversees day-to-day program operations, supports program staff, and coordinates recruitment and outreach efforts to identify and engage qualified veteran participants.
Nicholas plays an integral role in connecting EBV participants with the resources and expertise needed to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. He recruits and coordinates mentors, guest speakers, and Entrepreneurs in Residence, helping provide veterans with the guidance, knowledge, and professional networks necessary to develop and launch successful businesses.
Military Background
Nicholas served 22 years on active duty in the U.S. Army after enlisting in November 1999. During his military career, he served in a variety of leadership and operational assignments in South Korea, Washington State, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Maryland, and North Carolina. He retired from active duty in June 2022 at the rank of First Sergeant (1SG).
His military service included multiple deployments in support of Counter Rocket, Mortar, and Artillery (C-RAM) missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. He served in several leadership positions within Air Defense Artillery, including First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) Section Sergeant.
Nicholas also served as a Senior Small Group Instructor at the Noncommissioned Officers Academy at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he instructed Soldiers in the Advanced Leader Course. His extensive military leadership and instructional experience continues to inform his work supporting veterans as they transition from military service to entrepreneurship.
Education
Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Resource Management, a Master of Business Administration from Columbia College, and a Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville.
He has also completed numerous professional military education and instructor-development programs, including the Senior Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Cadre Foundation Faculty Course, Foundation Instructor Faculty Course, Small Group Instructor Training Course, and Army Basic Instructor Course.
Through his professional experience in higher education, military leadership, instruction, and veteran entrepreneurship, Nicholas brings a unique combination of organizational, leadership, and program-development expertise to his work with CCEI and EBV.
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