America Supports You: Second ‘Apprentice’ Looks to Military for His Own Apprentice

Perdew is the president of ProElite.com, an online community for mixed martial arts fighters, fans and organizations. The former Army officer is partnering with the non-profit group “Hire A Hero” to find the right person.

"Kelly Perdew is a quality employer, entrepreneur, and a patriot, who is truly helping to make a positive difference in the lives of those who have served," said Dan Caulfield, Hire A Hero’s executive director. “He is setting the example for all other employers to follow.”

Caulfield, a former Marine officer, founded Hire a Hero, a program of the Armed Forces Support Foundation. The program helps active-duty and transitioning military personnel, veterans, National Guard members, reservists, and their spouses find training and employment through an online community to help them network into quality job opportunities and training.

The organization also is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and corporations with military personnel and their families serving at home and abroad.

The winning candidate will work under Perdew at ProElite.com, a subsidiary of ProElite Inc. The company provides mixed martial arts entertainment, including live, arena-based entertainment events, cable television programming on Showtime Network, and community-driven interactive broadband entertainment via the Internet.

"I recognize and often speak about the value of military service in the civilian workforce," Perdew said. "I am looking for a candidate that can execute on what I call the 10 essential leadership principles: duty, impeccability, passion, perseverance, planning, teamwork, loyalty, flexibility, selfless service, and integrity.

“My time at West Point and in the Army reinforced those principles, and I'm looking forward to Hire A Hero helping connect me with someone who shares those values," he added.

After graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Perdew served as a military intelligence officer in the Army, while also successfully completing both airborne and Ranger training. Before winning “The Apprentice” and, consequently, working for Donald Trump, Perdew led several successful businesses, including MotorPride.com and Eteamz.com.

All interested job candidates, current or former military personnel, must register through Hire A Hero and create online profiles. Instructions can be found by clicking on Perdew’s photo found on the Hire a Hero Web site. The application deadline is Aug. 15.

(From a Hire A Hero news release.)