American Veterans Group, Santee Cooper team up to support military veterans in South Carolina

MELVILLE, N.Y., Dec. 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- American Veterans Group and South Carolina's largest provider of electrical power, Santee Cooper, have teamed up to support a Charleston-based foundation that helps military veterans and their families successfully transition back to civilian life.

American Veterans Group has donated $5,000 to the Vantage Point Foundation. The gift will support the participation of eight South Carolina veterans in the foundation's leadership development course. The year-long program facilitates personal growth and provides a path for veterans to translate their military experience and leadership skills to civilian life.

The donation was made possible by Santee Cooper's decision to choose American Veterans Group as an investment banking partner. American Veterans Group is a growing investment banking firm that dedicates 25% of its profits to support veterans causes. The firm, a public benefit corporation, directs its philanthropy to the local communities where it and its clients do business.

"We applaud Santee Cooper's commitment to supporting veterans in their community and are grateful that their finance team recognized the value of partnering with a public benefit corporation like ours," said Ben Biles, co-founder and chief executive officer of American Veterans Group. "By engaging our firm, eight deserving military veterans will directly benefit from the Vantage Point Foundation's outstanding leadership development work."

Veterans participating in the Foundation's leadership development course are provided with complete access to training, resources, and a robust network of support. At the conclusion of the course, participating veterans work with the Foundation's mentors, clinical staff of registered nurses and social worker, and the VPF extended team to pursue professional, educational, volunteer and personal goals.

"The partnership between Santee Cooper and American Veterans Group, and their shared goal of investing in veterans, sets a great example for our community," said Mark Holyfield, executive director of The Vantage Point Foundation. "Furthermore, it signals to the veterans and their families in our program that our community wants to see them succeed as they push forward into civilian life. On behalf of the eight veterans and families that these funds will support, and the VPF Board of Directors thank you for your support."

Earlier this year, American Veterans Group served as a co-manager of a syndicate led by Barclay's Capital Inc. and Bank of America Securities to facilitate a $663.6 million revenue bond issue for Santee Cooper. The donation to the Vantage Point Foundation represents a percentage of the underwriting fees American Veterans Group earned for its role in facilitating the transaction.

"Santee Cooper is pleased to work with American Veterans Group and salutes AVG's contributions to veterans causes around the country, and to Vantage Point Foundation here in Charleston," said Santee Cooper President and CEO Mark Bonsall. "In fact, Santee Cooper got its start supporting the military ? our first customer was a local defense contractor supporting the U.S. during World War II. From supporting our own employees and retirees who serve or served in the military, to partnering with firms that support veterans more broadly, Santee Cooper recognizes the enormous sacrifices and contributions veterans have made to keep us safe and our country strong."

About American Veterans Group

American Veterans Group, PBC, is a military veteran-owned, social impact-focused broker dealer that delivers value to institutional clients while providing meaningful philanthropic support to the military veteran community. The company reinvests 25 percent of its earnings in national and local military veteran non-profit organizations that provide worthy services and support to one of America's most vulnerable, at-risk populations. As Wall Street's first and only Public Benefit Corporation, American Veterans Group empowers institutional clients to partner in its social mission while enabling them to remain focused on key business objectives and goals.

American Veterans Group was co-founded by CEO Ben Biles, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, and William Frazier, an investment banking executive with more than three decades of experience in the fixed income marketplace. To learn more about American Veterans Group, visit their website at www.americanvetsgroup.com.

About Santee Cooper

Santee Cooper is South Carolina's largest power provider, the largest Green Power generator and the ultimate source of electricity for two million people across the state. Through its low-cost, reliable and environmentally responsible electricity and water services, and through innovative partnerships and initiatives that attract and retain industry and jobs, Santee Cooper powers South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.santeecooper.com and follow #PoweringSC on social media.

About The Vantage Point Foundation

The Vantage Point Foundation (VPF) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to guide and support post 9/11 military veterans and families on a new path toward healing and civilian success. VPF primarily supports veterans and families throughout the greater South Carolina region who have experienced wartime trauma.

Media Contacts:

For American Veterans Group
Mark Kroeger
The Boldsquare Group
(513) 236-3109
[email protected]

For Vantage Point Foundation
Mark Holyfield, Executive Director
(843) 790-3131
[email protected]

SOURCE American Veterans Group