Roll Out PTSD Team
Michael Ledford
Founder
Michael was born in Dalton, GA on April 7th, 1977. Raised by his grandma, aunt, and uncle, his first years of life were challenged by difficulty and hardship. Through his early twenties, he acquired his GED and went to school for Graphic Design at Chattanooga State. He joined the Army in October of 2006 at the age of twenty-nine until April 2014, eight years of active service. In 2008 he was deployed to Iraq for a period of one year and in April 2011 he deployed to Afghanistan and was wounded and medically evacuated in October 2011 after seven months of service.
While in active duty he studied criminal justice in Texas Central. In 2013, he went to Tennessee temple university to study theology, coinciding with world history, and in 2014, attended Virginia College for Cosmetology.
After his years of service, he returned on December 26, 2015, to Northern Iraq as a humanitarian in the middle of the ISIS conflict, helping the women and children in distress. In 2016 he traveled the US in a Jeep Wrangler from east to west coast learning to heal with the outdoors. Soon after, he flew the country of Armenia and worked his way across the whole of Europe advocating and bringing awareness to the Yazidi Genocide. He returns to the USA in 2017 for a section hike for 40 days on the Appalachian Trail.
The year 2018, he flew to Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa to fund a non-government organization called Better Tomorrow, building orphanages and supplying clean water to the communities.
During these times, on Valentine’s Day 2014, he attempted suicide. He survives and comes to the realization of his purpose. So begins the mission of a purpose-driven life, with the inclusion of God in his convictions to help mend broken souls and heal their wounds by teaching a new way of life.
In January 2020 he moves to Puerto Rico and in October 2021, he legally registered Roll Out PTSD, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of fellow veterans and their families to cope with trauma and reemerged in everyday life. Roll Out PTSD incorporates fellowship and comradery through experiences with outdoor adventures in the beautiful sceneries and landscapes of the island of Puerto Rico. Kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, and surfing are some of the fun adventures veterans and their families can enjoy and learn from as they find new determination and an embracing community to assist in their pursuit of a healthy and prosperous life.
Brett Thompson
Vice President
Brett Thompson is the Vice President of Roll Out PTSD. As Vice President, he leads the veteran outreach and marketing efforts for Roll Out PTSD. He is also the Director of Nursing for Emmanuel Home Health Services.
Brett grew up in a military (Air Force) family. He spent his childhood in Arizona and Germany until his parents settled down in Las Vegas. Brett always had a desire to work in medicine; he graduated from Rancho Medical Academy High School in 2002. He later studied Biology at the University of Nevada, Reno, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2006. After college, Brett wanted to serve his country and joined the United States Army. He went to Basic Training and Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Moving to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Brett studied to become a Field Artillery Officer and later was stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas with the 1st Infantry Division. Brett started off as a Field Direction Officer and then later was a Platoon Leader. He was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2008. In Baghdad he was attached to the 5-4 Cavalry 1st Infantry and preformed mounted and dismounted patrols. During this time he earned the Bronze Star and an Army Commination Medal. Brett was later sent to 1-63 Armor as a Fire Direction Officer/Intel Officer, serving in Muhammadiyah and West Baghdad.
After the Army, Brett went back to school and graduated from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada with another Bachelor of Science, this time in Nursing. He moved to New York City in 2012 and became a Geriatric Nurse at New York Presbyterian and later became a float nurse ranging from the Emergency Room to Progressive Care Units. In 2017, he and his wife moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Brett practiced Real Estate in Maryland for three years then found a position as Director of Nursing at Emmanuel Health Services where he assesses patients and works to obtain in-home care for new patients.
Brett met Mike in 2021 after answering a post requesting people to help veterans with PTSD. After responding and connecting with Mike, Brett knew this was meant for him. If you are a Veteran or a First Responder suffering from PTSD or are feeling stressors from the job, we are here to help and please reach out.
Amanda Verner Thompson
Chief Executive Officer
Amanda Verner Thompson is the Chief Executive Officer of Roll Out PTSD. As Chief Executive Officer, she leads the organization, focusing on developing programs that are effective and aligned with the mission as well as steering the sponsorship and partnership efforts.
Amanda was born and raised in Danbury, CT. Amanda graduated from Duke University with a major in Biology and a minor in French. Upon graduation, she began her career in healthcare investment banking. Most recently, Amanda was a Co-Head of Healthcare Investment Banking at Matrix Capital Markets Group. Prior to that she also worked in healthcare investment banking for Raymond James, Morgan Keegan, and Shattuck Hammond Partners. In her healthcare investment banking career, she advised not-for-profit and for-profit healthcare clients on strategic advisory, mergers and acquisitions, valuations, and capital markets, including strategic capital planning. She has specific expertise with behavioral health, hospitals and healthcare systems, managed care, telemedicine, and ancillary healthcare service providers.
In recent years, Amanda spent a significant amount of time advising behavioral health companies, including those focusing on the treatment of PTSD. Amanda’s husband was a Lieutenant in the Army and has witnessed the first-hand suffering of those living with PTSD and the impact of suicide on families and fellow servicemen and women. The mission and goals of Roll Out PTSD align with Amanda’s goal of giving back and impacting others, especially those who have served our country, with her experience in investment banking.
Brandon Brodsho
Treasurer/Secretary
Brandon Brodsho serves as the Treasurer and Secretary of Roll Out PTSD. As Treasurer, he meticulously oversees all donations, ensuring they are allocated as intended. In his role as Secretary, he effectively coordinates team efforts to achieve organizational goals. Brandon was introduced to Michael’s vision during a conversation with Brett. Intrigued by Roll Out PTSD, he expressed a desire to contribute and soon after took a spontaneous trip to Puerto Rico. His time with Michael and firsthand experience of the initiative solidified his decision to join the team.
Brandon hails from the small town of Wells, NV, where he embraced a community spirit, considering everyone a friend. This ethos guided him through various stages of his career. After graduating from the University of Nevada with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, he relocated from Reno to Biloxi, MS, where he embarked on his career at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino as the Entertainment Manager. Over seven and a half years, he mastered the gaming and entertainment industry, organizing up to 110 concerts annually. His responsibilities expanded to include marketing events, planning, and executing gaming and special events alongside his concerts and nightlife duties.
Seeking a new career path, Brandon joined Alvix Laboratories as a Planner at a pharmaceutical repackaging company. After three years, he transitioned to Levin Pharma as the COO, where he established operational processes and led product development. In 2020, Brandon returned to Alvix Laboratories, initially as COO, and was promoted to CEO that summer.
In December 2021, Brandon met Michael and promptly began collaborating on Roll Out PTSD. His dedication to the cause led him to leave Alvix and move to Puerto Rico in the summer of 2022 to help realize Michael’s long-held vision for the organization.
Nick Busse
Director of Communications
Nick Busse is a 13-year U.S. Army combat veteran residing in California with his wife and 4 children. Nick currently leads Military Engagement for Leaf Home, focusing on internal military employee culture and engagement, veteran recruiting programs, and managing VetConnect, Leaf Home’s high-spirited Military Employee Resource Group. He is the CEO of the Changing Cadence Foundation and serves as a mental health ambassador to the Victory Bridge Foundation. His education background in Business and Political Science out of San Francisco State University and focuses his free time with his family and getting involved with his local city or Roseville, CA, veteran community, and church.
Nick was born and raised in Sonoma County CA and joined the United States Army with a specialty in Field Artillery, finishing his time in the service as Director of Recruiting for the Northern California Recruiting Battalion. In 2019, he joined Leaf Homes’s mission to bridge the gap between military veterans and the civilian workforce. Since his contributions and with the hard work, the company has been congressionally recognized and received the MOAA impact award and the DAV Patriot Employer Award. Nick was recognized as the 2023 Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America by Viqtory and G.I. Jobs. His goal is to make his city a better place for their residents, but ultimately enhance the hope in the world for our military veterans and heroes.
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