Leading with Purpose: Military Veteran Shapes the Future of Small Business Development at Rutgers–Camden

Last year, as U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Akeel Gaines approached his 20th year in the New Jersey National Guard, he was deployed to Iraq, leading the 250th Brigade Support Battalion. As he considered his approaching anniversary with the military, he also began to consider the next chapter in his life.

“When I enlisted, my goal was to become State Command Sergeant Major, which is the highest level an enlisted soldier can achieve and is the senior enlisted advisor for the state,” Gaines said. “But as I reached my 20th year in the Guard, I started to consider what my life would be outside the military.”

Gaines has long had a passion for helping others. He also carries with him a wealth of experience, both from his time in the military and his journey in higher education, earning a doctorate in organizational leadership in 2022. As he began to explore civilian opportunities, fate intervened.

“A friend reached out to let me know there was an opportunity at the New Jersey Small Business Development Center (NJSBDC) at Rutgers–Camden,” said Gaines. “The work—

counseling small business owners and assisting them in navigating various challenges— immediately resonated with me. It aligned perfectly with my interests and values.”

Gaines pursued the opportunity and, in April 2025, was named regional director of the NJSBDC at Rutgers–Camden.

Established in 1977 as part of a Small Business Administration pilot program, the NJSBDC is a statewide, government-funded nonprofit dedicated to supporting New Jersey’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. It provides free, comprehensive one-on-one consulting, training programs, workshops, and other resources designed to help businesses start, grow, and thrive.

Although his focus has shifted from the battlefield to the boardroom, Gaines continues to draw on the leadership lessons and strategic mindset he developed in the military, especially as he embraces his new role.

“In the military, the key to ensuring a mission’s success was having the right people in place and cultivating strong relationships,” Gaines said. “The same holds true in business and the civilian world. When I joined Rutgers–Camden, one of my first priorities was getting to know the team, not just as employees, but as individuals, to build trust and empower them to perform at their best.”

In addition to bringing new energy to the team, Gaines is looking to build on the organization's relationship with Rutgers–Camden and beyond, connecting and collaborating with students, faculty, alumni, and community members who may be interested in starting their own business or would like guidance in growing an existing business.

One of his first major initiatives was a partnership with the Rutgers School of Business–Camden to co-host the 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit, held October 23 at the Rutgers–Camden Campus Center.

The event, themed “Scaling Up: Growth Strategies for Business,” featured a resource fair, networking opportunities, and keynote sessions on scaling for impact, business success and productivity in the age of artificial intelligence, and transforming existing assets into legacy-driven enterprises.

Events like the Entrepreneurship Summit are just the beginning of what Gaines hopes to achieve as the regional director of the NJSBDC.

“We’re here as a resource for the community,” said Gaines. “There aren’t many places where small business owners or entrepreneurs can access the level of support we offer—and all completely free of charge. We aim to be a hub that connects individuals with the guidance, tools, and expertise they need to make their businesses thrive.”