Steve Cassidy, founder of EOD Gear, and an APEX Accelerator client for more than 10 years, was recently named the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Person of the Year for the State of Tennessee. EOD Gear is a defense-focused manufacturer headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, which provides specialized equipment for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Special Operations, and public safety professionals. The Tennessee APEX Accelerator nominated him for the award.

Steve said, “Being named the SBA Small Business Person of the Year for Tennessee is a validation of the path we’ve been on for the last 14 years—building a manufacturing company focused on delivering real-world solutions to the warfighter, not just reselling products.

“The visibility and credibility that comes with this award directly support our next phase: expanding our in-house manufacturing capabilities, investing further in quality control and metrology, and increasing production capacity to meet growing demand from military, federal, and law enforcement customers. That growth will translate into hiring—bringing on additional skilled team members in machining, assembly, and operations.”

When asked what inspired him to start the business he responded, “As a former US Navy EOD Technician, I saw firsthand that the tools and kits being issued weren’t designed with the end user in mind. They were generic, inflexible, and often forced Techs to work around the gear instead of the gear working for them. That’s a dangerous gap. EOD Gear exists to close the gap between what’s issued and what’s actually needed—by building gear the right way, from the perspective of someone who’s used it when it matters most.

“The idea was simple: give operators the ability to build exactly what they need—no excess, no compromise. That led to the development of customizable EOD tool kits and eventually expanded into in-house manufacturing, where we design and produce mission-critical equipment under real-world scrutiny, not just theory.”

During his time as a client of the TN APEX Accelerator, Middle Tennessee Counselor Debbie Barber has worked with Steve to obtain several certifications as well as providing him with guidance and support along the way. The company has been able to significantly increase its footprint in the government contracting market, resulting in more than $840,000 in awards with both state and federal government agencies.

Steve had this to say about his experience with the APEX Accelerator, “The Tennessee APEX Accelerator provided hands-on, actionable support across multiple areas of our business. It’s been more than guidance—it’s been a strategic partnership that has directly contributed to our growth, our ability to compete, and our transition into a more capable U.S.-based manufacturer.”

Debbie said, “Steve is a go-getter. He has, and continues to have, steady growth since he started this business. When we asked him to work on steps in order to reach a goal, he did it without hesitation. His consistency is amazing. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this award than Steve!”

Join the Tennessee APEX Accelerator in congratulating Steve Cassidy on this honor as he continues to lead EOD Gear in strengthening our nation’s defense manufacturing capacity! You can find more information about EOD Gear at the company’s website or LinkedIn profile.