John Veal Helps State’s Small Businesses During the Pandemic

A Cameron alumnus has undertaken the significant task of helping small business owners in Oklahoma during the COVID-19 pandemic. John D. Veal Jr. is in his first year serving as the district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Oklahoma operation.

He had previously served as SBA deputy director until taking over as the top state administrator.

The SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations.

Veal’s extensive experience in government contracting – combined with a passion for empowering small business owners – led him to take the SBA position.

“I am honored to lead the Oklahoma office as it works to start and grow small businesses here,” Veal said. “In what is an especially challenging time for the state’s small business community, it is my goal to help provide services that help entrepreneurs persevere through the pandemic.”

The pandemic has continued to be felt by both the SBA and small business owners in 2021 as it limits the ability for the two groups to interact. Virtual workshops, seminars and counseling sessions have replaced face-to-face interaction.

“The pandemic has really stretched our resources, but I think people got a new appreciation for the SBA and what we do,” Veal noted. As small businesses lost revenue and customers during COVID, being able to connect employers and their employees with federal aid has helped them remain viable.

“Our office has reached out to more businesses than it had previously been involved with,” he said. “We’re not able to replace all the lost revenue, but it gives businesses a lifeline.” was a member of the finance corps and retired in 1995 at the rank of first sergeant, having served for more than 23 years.

After his retirement from the military, Veal worked at Cameron from 1999-2003 as its assistant dean of students and, for a time, the dean of students. He earned his bachelor’s degree in independent studies from CU in 2003. He also holds master’s degrees in business administration and accounting from Oklahoma City University.

A certified professional public buyer and an NIGP-certified procurement professional, Veal was previously a business coordinator with the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC), operating Lawton’s Small Business Development Center for two years. While with the OSBDC, the SBA recognized him as regional and state Veteran’s Small Business Champion of the Year.

Although his office is in Oklahoma City, Veal maintains his home in Lawton. The number of organizations with which he’s involved reflects his commitment to the community. He is a CU President’s Partner and serves on the board of the Cameron University Foundation. He has also served as a trustee for the Comanche County Industrial Development Authority. Veal was presented Leadership Lawton-Fort Sill’s Reuben Brown Award, given to an outstanding program graduate – and later chaired the organization.

Veal has served as District 5A governor for AMBUCS, a national charity dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities, and has been national president of the Society of Case Research.

He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, served as a district treasurer, and was named the Omega Man of the Year for its Ninth District. Veal was recently inducted into the inaugural class of the Oklahoma State Ques Hall of Fame for his fraternal and community contributions. He is the current President of the Oklahoma State Ques Association.