For Veterans.
By Veterans.
“Blue Cord is very much a company about Veterans — about one-third of staff are Veterans representing each branch of the military. It has always been my mission to serve Veterans in any way possible, and especially those returning from active duty.”
Michael T. Waldrop, Sr., Blue Cord Founder & CEO
Blue Cord was founded on the passion to grow our business with and around Veterans. We are dedicated to uplift our communities and improve the lives of the people that live there. Our ongoing commitment is to make a difference for Veterans and their families, and we are driven by the desire to help Veterans transition back to civilian life and receive the quality mental and health care they deserve. Operating across select markets throughout the United States, Blue Cord has contributed to some of the most prominent and vital healthcare facilities that directly support our military Veterans and their families.
Blue Cord began in Orlando in 2010 as an SDVOSB general contractor focused on constructing and renovating critical medical facilities throughout Central Florida for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Since then, we have expanded our operations nationwide, proceeding to design and build convention centers, operating rooms, roadways, pharmacies, stadiums, university buildings, and more!
Our firm has had many achievements since 2010, and though we continue to grow and evolve our business, we have always remained devoted to our original vision to better the lives of those around us. We vow to always to go above and beyond the call of duty to provide premier design and construction services to our clients and end users.
We pledge to give back and continuously improve our community not only through the value and quality of the projects that we undertake, but by supporting local organizations that contribute to this growth as well. Founder & CEO Michael T. Waldrop, Sr. is heavily involved with many organizations in Central Florida that provide support, therapy, and financial assistance to active and inactive military personnel and their families.
A Dedicated Leader
- City of Orlando Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council – Chairman
- Florida Association of Veteran Owned Businesses – Founder
- Camaraderie Foundation, Inc. 501(c)3 – Co-Founder & Founding Board Member
- West Orange Chamber of Commerce – Chairman, Board of Directors
- Salvation Army, Advisory Board of Directors – Past Vice-Chairman
- Orange County Industrial Development Authority – Past Vice-Chairman
- Leadership Orlando Class #53 – Graduate
- Orange County Public Schools Foundation – Past Board of Directors
- Downtown Orlando Partnership – Past Board of Directors
- Central Florida Veterans Association
- Life Member – Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Life Member – Veterans of Foreign Wars
- American Legion – Member
- 2019 State of Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame – Top Inductee
In 2009, Michael T. Waldrop, Sr. established the Camaraderie Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide healing for the invisible wounds of war through counseling, emotional and spiritual support for all military service members, Veterans, and their families. This organization has provided over 20,000 hours (and counting!) of counseling benefiting over 38,000 individuals and families!
- More than 22,520 hours of counseling (and counting!) since 2009
- Serves clients in more than 40 states and 3 foreign countries
- Network of more than 500 licensed mental health professionals
- All services are free
- Over 42,100 lives touched
- 89% of individuals report improvement
In 2012, Michael T. Waldrop, Sr. created the Florida Association of Veteran-Owned Businesses (FAVOB), which seeks to promote and unite the many established and start-up businesses that are owned by Veterans and disabled Veterans throughout the State of Florida, and increase awareness of these organizations at the city, county, state, and federal levels. Since its inception, FAVOB has expanded to over 350 members and has celebrated its successes in passing Veteran Small Business programs within the City of Orlando, Orange County, Orange County Public Schools, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, helping to ensure that the talent, drive, and leadership skills of our Veterans continue to make a positive impact in our business community.
