Fred Pollino

Better Escalator Cleaning Company

Fred Pollino, a former Army Chief Warrant Officer and Chinook helicopter pilot was awarded a $40,000 grant from Veterans’ Pathway to Business Success to grow his Better Escalator Cleaning Company.

As a member of the 101st Airborne Division, Pollino was one of first to be sent over to Afghanistan after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. After his helicopter crashed in a mission in Afghanistan, he was wounded and later medically discharged in 2003.

After leaving the military, Pollino worked for an elevator company in Cleveland. He relocated to Boynton Beach and launched his firm in Boynton Beach with his business partner. Despite what he thought was a great idea for a company, he needed to be in business for two years before he could receive any aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which is where Veterans’ Pathway to Business Success was able to help realize his dreams.