Laurie Phillips is the co-founder of Tech For Troops Project. Laurie is a successful entrepreneur and founder of seven companies. For 25 years she has been a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, leading professional services firms, and start-ups. A former Big 4 consulting partner and Information Technology expert, Laurie brings operational, technical, and entrepreneurial leadership to Tech For Troops Project. / / Laurie is also the founder of Sundance Research, an IT consulting and project management company based in Richmond, Virginia. / / http://veteranpodcast.com/050
Sergeant R. Morgan Crihfield served in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the Texas Army National Guard. He is an alumnus of Midwestern State University with both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Social Work as well as a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. He currently works as a therapist specializing in Post Traumatic Stress and Depression. He currently lives in north Texas with his wife, children, and two lazy Labradors. / / http://veteranpodcast.com/049
Josh is the Director of Strategy at Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness, the nation?s first privately funded rural wellness center dedicated exclusively to combat veterans and their families. The Retreat runs short-duration, high-impact retreats focused on combat-related stress for combat veterans (male and female), spouses, caregivers, couples, families and Gold Star Families. Since opening in September 2013, the Retreat has hosted more than 2,500 guests. / / Josh is responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives - including Boulder Crest?s work to develop the nation?s first comprehensive, non-clinical curriculum based on Post-Traumatic Growth, Warrior PATHH. Warrior PATHH is an 18-month program, initiated by a 7-day retreat, designed to harness the unique strength of combat veterans while enabling them to transform their struggle into growth and strength. In addition, he oversees strategic partnerships and scale and expansion efforts. / / Prior to joining Boulder Crest Retreat, Josh worked as a communications executive at ExxonMobil's Dallas headquarters from 2006-2011, and was an entrepreneur-in-residence at 2M Companies. During his time at 2M, Josh began advising several non-profit organizations supporting veterans, with a specific focus on combat-related stress and PTSD. After volunteering for a number of months, and in recognition of the remarkable strength, capacity and potential of the combat veterans, Josh chose to dedicate his life to ensuring that service members, veterans and their families had the opportunity to live the great lives they deserved ? full of passion, purpose and service ? here at home. / / Show notes: veteranpodcast.com/048
He went into the Army straight out of High school joining up as an infantryman. His tenure in the Army saw him take the first team into the Pentagon on 9-11 as well as a combat tour in Iraq from 2005-2006. Since that time he has helped build SoldierFit, a gym based out of Frederick MD, from one sub-let location to 3 stand alone facilities with 3,000 members and over 50 employees. He went from being homeless to generating 2.2 million dollars in revenue this year alone. Soldierfit is now franchised and Danny hopes to open 1-2 franchises as well as 1 more corporate location by the end of the year.
Recently he Co-founded his first 501(c), Platoon 22, to combat veteran suicides. He is currently a sought after motivational speaker and was selected to the 2013 "Top 40 under 40 V.I.P" by The Daily Record, as well as one of the Top 5 Mens health Ultimate guys. Soldierfit has won numerous awards including Small business of the year in several counties and the state. His goal is to revitalize the American dream and remind his fellow Americans no other soil on earth is more fertile for their dreams then America’s.
What is Platoon 22?
Platoon 22 is a traveling memorial started by the non-profit 22 Needs A Face. The boots in the Platoon 22 memorial symbolize the 22 lives lost per day, 682 lives lost per month, and over 8,000 veteran lives lost each year to suicide attributed to PTS.
We need to raise awareness of the epidemic across the United States.
Free and fun events to bring the veteran community together to strengthen the sense of community and camaraderie that they have lost in transition.
Raise capital to help support severally underfunded and undermanned crises call centers to make sure someone answers their call for help.
Advocate for legislative and VA policy changes that will ensure a mental health professional sees every veteran as part of the military out-processing and VA enrollment procedures. If it is deemed that they may need or do need further counseling then ensure they are assisted to make the transition into the VA systems (VBA and VHA) a seamless and efficient process.