Veteran leaves federal job for Long Island sign firm

Garmani Maw is no longer writing code for the federal government. He is now painting letters for local police academies and schools. The 48-year-old Army veteran left a career in IT to open Signarama East Meadow, a move that required selling off a stable federal position to chase a riskier entrepreneurial path.

Maw, originally from Myanmar, immigrated to the United States as a student in 1996. He enlisted in the Army in 2008, citing the September 11 attacks and the Taliban’s destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan as key motivators. He served three years on active duty in South Korea and Germany before spending five years in the Army Reserve. An injury ended his chance to attend Officer Candidate School.

After leaving the military, Maw worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs and later as an IT engineer for the National Archives and Records Administration. He handled technology infrastructure, servers, and databases. In 2025, he accepted an early retirement package from federal service. Maw said convincing his wife was the hardest part of the transition, accounting for 70% of the battle.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler noted in a statement that veteran entrepreneurs are problem solvers and team builders. The SBA reports that 1.6 million veteran-owned businesses in the U.S. generate $1 trillion in annual sales. These companies contribute $179 billion in payroll and employ approximately 3 million workers.

Maw’s company is designated as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. A.J. Titus, president of Signarama, said the franchise offers veterans a 20% discount on fees. Titus argued that military service prepares owners for the discipline and adaptability required in business.

Maw has already secured contracts with local public institutions. He helped build the End of Watch wall of honor at the Nassau County Police Academy. He also services schools and fire departments. Maw lives in Manhattan and commutes daily to East Meadow. He and his wife have two sons, ages 5 and 7.

The business has not yet secured a government contract through its veteran designation. Maw said the status has introduced him to new opportunities. He plans to use his background in federal contracting to reduce waste on public projects. Maw said he wants to close the gap between getting the contract and doing the job well.