Richard G. Portis is an exemplary leader and advocate of Veterans Employment/Entrepreneurship Outreach & Training programs.  His effective communication style and expertise in issue analysis and creative solution implementation are evident in his extensive experience as a project consultant in the government, corporate, and non-profit sectors.  As the Director of XXI-C Industries, Richard brings 30 years of leadership experience, revenue generation, and innovative development strategies to benefit thousands of Pennsylvania veterans re-entering the civilian workforce and becoming successful business owners. 

In addition to managing his own company, Richard developed, launched and managed The Veterans Entrepreneurial Training Project (VETP) as a project consultant for Robert Morris University in 2003.   A certified business coach and administrator, Richard managed and facilitated the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac entrepreneurship training program for over 500 veterans and persons seeking to start, launch, and grow their business endeavors.

Richard’s leadership and the VETP’s growing success earned support and an established partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  By 2005, the VETP became the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) at Robert Morris University – serving states of Region III of the federal government, the RMU Center was one of only eight national VBOCs.   As a result, the SBA recognized Richard’s accomplishments naming him the Regional Veteran Small Business Champion of 2006.  Under his guidance as Regional Director from 2005 to 2010, Richard coordinated the Center’s evolution into its current programming as the RMU Veterans Virtual Training Institute.

Before focusing on Veterans programs, Richard Portis provided business management and consulting services to a variety of enterprises including the African American Chamber of Commerce in Miami, FL, and West Palm Beach, FL, The Hill CDC in Pittsburgh, Three Rivers Health Plans, Healthy Start, Inc., and Allegheny County Housing Authority.  As a project consultant to the Western Pennsylvania Maglev Development Corporation, Mr. Portis coordinated and developed compliance and monitoring systems to engage small business participation in government projects, and developed a plan to seek the support of communities, small businesses and area legislators for the $147 million Maglev project.

From 1972 to 1983, Mr. Portis also operated as Executive Director of the Allegheny County, PA and Dade County, FL Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC), 1 of 75 centers in the U.S.  Richard provided leadership and development skills to manage a multi-million dollar budget and 40 staff members to secure resources managing employment and training services benefitting underserved persons in those communities.

Mr. Portis has served as an Executive Board Member and Chairperson of the Policy and Research Committee for the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP, and on the Editorial Board of The Adherent, a national journal publishing scholarly works in the area of employment and training.  He studied Journalism and Communications at Point Park College, Public Administration at the University of Pittsburgh, and has received full training from the Opportunities Academy of Training and the General Electric Management Development Institute.

Richard G. Portis attained the rank of Sergeant E-5-Administration Specialist, U.S. Army (1965-1968, Honorable Discharge) and was awarded both the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars.