Hagerstown small business grows while supporting veterans, giving back to community

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (DC News Now) — In western Maryland, a local small business in the information technology sector has caught the community’s attention.

The Berry Solutions Group has set itself apart for its support of job applicants with a military background and for giving back.

Former Marine John Berry credits his service to the country for giving him the courage to launch a business when he did.

“It was a business culture thing, survival after getting the venture off the ground just three months before COVID broke out,” Berry said.

Chief Operating Officer Bruce Lebitz defines that “cultural thing” as “a certain type of work ethic that goes along with veterans.

“I think it’s John’s way of wanting to give back,” Lebitz said.

Account manager Trevor Musser said it’s a simple matter of following the golden rule.

“It’s all about giving value to an organization and others and receiving that value back,” Musser said.

That value also includes serving nonprofits like The ARC of Washington County, which helps those challenged with disabilities.

“We also sponsor events for organizations that are close to an employee’s heart if, say, someone here is looking for a sponsor for their kid’s soccer team,” Rebecca Culp said.

CEO Berry also takes pride in his firm’s association with the $15 billion convenience store empire, Sheetz.

“We have 25 people we trained who are now full-time, in-house with Sheetz,” Berry said.