Franchise Ownership Articles > Kevin Dougherty Honored as 2025 Vetrepreneur® of the Year
Kevin Dougherty Honored as 2025 Vetrepreneur® of the Year

Audubon, PA – Kevin Dougherty, owner of CertaPro Painters® of Durham, NC, has been named the Vetrepreneur® of the Year at the national level, after first earning the prestigious State Vetrepreneur® of the Year title for North Carolina. This dual recognition underscores Kevin’s unwavering commitment to his community, fellow veterans, and the broader CertaPro network.
Kevin’s journey to this honor is marked by a lifetime of service and leadership. A dedicated volunteer with Meals on Wheels, Kevin has spent countless hours delivering meals and conducting wellness checks for elderly residents. His work provided nourishment, companionship, and encouragement to those often living alone, helping them maintain independence with dignity.
Within his business, Kevin leads with both heart and purpose. Through volunteer initiatives, he and his team have contributed significantly to local revitalization efforts, enhancing neighborhoods and fostering stronger community connections. Kevin’s leadership also extends beyond his own franchise—he actively supports the growth of the entire CertaPro Painters franchise network, sharing best practices, exchanging insights, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
In addition to his business and volunteer efforts, Kevin has served as a youth sports coach for baseball and football, shaping young athletes with lessons in teamwork, dedication, and leadership. His positive influence reaches across generations, strengthening Durham both on and off the field.
“Kevin exemplifies what it means to be a veteran entrepreneur,” said Mike Stone, President & CEO of CertaPro Painters. “His dedication to service, business excellence, and community impact make him not only a role model within our franchise family but also an inspiration to entrepreneurs everywhere.”
Kevin’s recognition as the 2025 Vetrepreneur® of the Year – Franchise National Champion celebrates his tireless dedication to improving lives and creating opportunities for others. His work has left a lasting impression on individuals, businesses, and communities alike.
About the Vetrepreneur® Awards
The Vetrepreneur® Awards honor outstanding veteran business owners across the country who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and impact. The program highlights the contributions of veteran entrepreneurs in strengthening both the economy and their communities.
About CertaPro Painters
CertaPro Painters® was founded in 1992 and specializes in providing commercial and residential services, through 445 franchise territories. Its success is based on exceeding customer expectations by delivering certainty at every juncture of a painting job from start to finish.
This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. For more information, or to receive a copy of CertaPro Painters’ current Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), please visit certapro.com/franchise/.
All numbers as reported in our FDD. Costs and results may vary. See FDD for additional information and disclaimers.
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