ohn Scifers learned early lessons on business, diversity, hard work and the value of teaming through childhood farm life and military service. He enlisted at the age of 17, serving as a Navy F-14 Avionics Technician in the Integrated Weapons Team of VF-142 Ghostriders out of Virginia Beach. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago under the GI Bill and Illinois Veterans Grant, graduating with High Distinction. Following work in project management, technical writing, and web application programming for law firms, he founded his first Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Signature Solutions, in 2000. In 2008, he co-Founded his second SDVOB, SCIGON Solutions.
John Scifers founded Scifers & Associates as the culmination of more than 20 years of experience in leadership of successful Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. He has extensive experience working with government customers and is a Subject Matter Expert on supplier diversity and veteran owned business engagement—garnering national recognition for his contributions to the veteran community (see more details below).
ohn Scifers learned early lessons on business, diversity, hard work and the value of teaming through childhood farm life and military service. He enlisted at the age of 17, serving as a Navy F-14 Avionics Technician in the Integrated Weapons Team of VF-142 Ghostriders out of Virginia Beach. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago under the GI Bill and Illinois Veterans Grant, graduating with High Distinction. Following work in project management, technical writing, and web application programming for law firms, he founded his first Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Signature Solutions, in 2000. In 2008, he co-Founded his second SDVOB, SCIGON Solutions.
John Scifers founded Scifers & Associates as the culmination of more than 20 years of experience in leadership of successful Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. He has extensive experience working with government customers and is a Subject Matter Expert on supplier diversity and veteran owned business engagement—garnering national recognition for his contributions to the veteran community (see more details below).
With a technology background rooted in .NET development, native mobile app development, business analysis, technical writing, software test automation, and Agile project management, John Scifers is a technology practitioner who leads from the top in successful service delivery.
Following are highlights on John’s national recognition, professional contributions, appointments and achievements.
Honors & Recognition
- Special Congressional Recognition, US Congressman George Miller
- Employer Partnership of the Armed Forces, US Dept of Defense
- Illinois Bicentennial Honor 200 Honoree, Governor Bruce Rauner
- Illinois Hiring Heroes
- 2015 John Rak Award – Veteran of the Year
- AT&T Operation Hand Salute
Media Coverage
- Profile article in US Veterans Magazine
- State of Illinois publications on workforce and supplier diversity
- City of Chicago publications on workforce and supplier diversity
- Elite SDVOB Network, Taking Stock
- Adobe Systems Case Study/Success Story
- Television / streaming internet coverage*
Talks & Publications
- NSF/ANSI 391.1, professional services firms sustainability standard: diversity content contributor
- US General Services Administration, Technology Matters: contributor
- Veteran’s Voice Blog: contributor
- Invited speaker and Subject Matter Expert for talks on supplier diversity and business for non-profit, public sector and commercial organizations**
Diversity & Veteran Advocacy Work
- Appointment: State of Illinois Toll Highway Authority Diversity Advisory Council: Co-Chair, Programs & Policies Committee
- Multiple Appointments: Veteran Owned Business (VOB) Certification Committee, State of Illinois
- National Secretary, Elite Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Network (https://elitesdvob.org/)
- Authored Whitepaper on best practices and recommendations for enhancing veteran owned business engagement for State of Illinois Governor’s Office
- Collaborated with City of Chicago on instituting Veteran Bid Incentive programs and certification
- Collaborated with State of Illinois on streamlining the Veteran Business Program certification process
- Facilitated Veteran engagement across several commercial organizations
- Advised commercial organizations on advancing workforce and supplier diversity initiatives
* Television and streaming internet coverage with former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner (for press conference on Diversity), Honoring Veterans First (CAN TV, Chicago), Linked Local Network, Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, Illinois Toll Highway Authority, City of Chicago, Elite Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Network, Hollywood Casino, Minority Supplier Development Council, Rivers Casino, US Small Business Administration.
**John has been an invited speaker and Subject Matter Expert on effective business practices and supplier diversity for such companies and organizations as Allstate Insurance, AT&T, City of Chicago, Edelman, Elite Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business Network, Healthcare Services Corporation, Hollywood Casino, Illinois Department of Central Management Services, Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Illinois Utilities Business Development Council, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Minority Supplier Development Council, Rivers Casino, US Small Business Administration, Veteran Business Outreach Center, and Women’s Business Development Center, among others.
John welcomes the chance to connect on LinkedIn, and his profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnscifers
