Karen worked over 30 years in the corporate world as an Event Planner traveling throughout the US. She also contracted with the Department of Commerce, working with them at four Paris Air Shows. After retiring from Aeronautical Radio, Inc., and moving with her husband to Florida, she read an article about Guardian Angels supplying the VA with medical service dogs for a study of veteran’s with PTSD. She contacted Carol Borden and the VA and helped her husband with the application process. Shortly after he was paired with his service dog she became a volunteer at Guardian Angels, wanting to give back and also to help other veterans learn about these wonderful dogs. Today she is the President of the Board of Directors and even though she lives in the Panhandle she can frequently be found at Guardian Angels helping in any way she can.
I have always worked in finance; finance company in high school, Associates Manufactured Housing Finance for 13 years, and then a credit union for 5 1/2 years, however this is not what I really wanted to do. My dream was to become a nurse so at the age of 49, I started back to college. In 2011, I graduated as an RN, and I have to say I was the oldest in my class but graduated with the highest grade point average. During this time, my husband, Julian, was very supportive. He is a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War and has PTSD. At some point he heard about the VA’s program for service dogs and we learned of Guardian Angel Medical Service Dogs. This is how I was introduced to Guardian Angels. My husband was able to get his dog trained by Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, and through his transformation, I realized what a difference this organization makes in a Veteran’s life, and I knew I had to be a part of this wonderful organization so I began volunteering and doing whatever I could to help. I was fortunate enough to be asked to be a Board of Directors Member, and gladly accepted. In my spare time, I like to read a good book the old fashion way, with a book in my hands. I enjoy going to the beach to enjoy the sunshine and to look for shells.
Born in Upstate NY, Ann Larkins has enjoyed a lifelong love of animals. She had a 40-year career with IBM Corp. The company enabled her to live and work in places like San Francisco, CA; Tacoma, WA; Anchorage, AK; Syracuse, NY; Atlanta, GA; and for the past decade, Williston, FL. She has worked on many different assignments and received recognition for achieving a high degree of proficiency in her chosen field of administration. In 2002, Ann, able to work from home with IBM and live anywhere, moved to Florida, where she was blessed to more closely pursue her passion of appreciating and caring for animals. In 2013, Ann became a Guardian Angels foster parent, opening her home to many incredibly-talented, sweet German Shepherds, one at a time. It’s difficult to say ‘good-bye’ to each one, but when she sees the smiles on the faces of the recipients and hears what a difference their service dogs have made in their lives, it makes giving them up a little easier. Plus, Carol Borden was always there, handing her the leash of another one of these gifted creatures to train and introduce to home life. Ann joined the Guardian Angels Board of Directors in 2014 and became more involved in helping get dogs so urgently needed into the hands of worthy recipients. Ann is also a member of the Williston Women’s Club, the First United Methodist Church in Williston, and the Williston Chamber of Commerce. Upon retiring from IBM in 2014, Ann became a real estate agent, helping people during some of the most stressful times in their lives. Ann hopes to continue her work on the Board of Directors in hopes of getting involved in other areas to help the organization grow and succeed.
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Paul R Bertram, Jr. is a Fellow, a Distinguished Member, and former National President of the Construction Specifications Institute. His career focused on buildings envelope first energy efficiency strategies with pathways to zero energy for a low carbon world. His work includes advocacy for resilient High Performance building energy efficiency.
He served on the Board of Directors for the Business Council of Sustainable Energy for two years and was part of their delegation at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. In January 2016, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and served as liaison for the Building Enclosure Technology and Environment Council. He also participated in the Off-Site Construction Council. After 7 years on the NIBS Board of Directors, he rotated off in 2022.
Paul is a disabled Vietnam US Navy Veteran, serving 12 months in the combat zone. In 2019, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs awarded “Walker” to Paul as his personal medical service dog.
Today, Paul functions as a BOD member for Guardian Angels and is actively involved with decisions made regarding campus expansions. He is also proud to be an ambassador by networking our mission of these amazing service dogs in the Greater Orlando area to assist veterans with disabilities. He devotes his time to aiding and assisting veterans in need.
His networking extends to veterans through the American Legion Old Glory Post 183 as an Adjutant and Assistant Service Officer. He is the Adjutant and Life member of VFW Post 5405. He participates in both the Orange County Mayor’s and Orlando Mayor’s Veteran Advisory Councils. He is the Vice Chair of the Seminole County Committee on Aging voted in as the veteran representative by the Seminole County Commissioners.
Chris was born and raised in Texas and holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University. When he joined the organization, he had more than 20 years of experience in Sales Management in the Pet Industry. He had received multiple awards during his career for Animal Nutrition Education and Sales at both regional and national levels.
Chris has trained dogs alongside of Carol together for 32 years, which included training and titling their personal dogs, as well as obedience classes, working with rescues and behavior rehabilitation. When Carol took it to the next level by starting Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, he continued to assist in every capacity necessary in the startup and growth of the organization. Today, he oversees all property maintenance and construction projects for our campuses in support of our continued growth.
Mary Jo has an extensive history working with the media as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University. Mary Jo has worked for companies such as Gannett, News Bank Inc., E.W. Scripps Company, Lee Enterprises, Pulitzer, Inc., Arthur Andersen and has been involved with Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. since 2011. Ms. Brandt has had many hours of training in leadership, coaching and mentoring. Her teams have consistently been highly effective in support of organizational mission and goals. She has one son, Paul who is currently in the Navy, and a daughter, Amanda in college and working full-time for a law firm in Naples. Ms. Brandt began volunteering with Guardian Angels after both her father, and previous employer received a Guardian Angels Service Dog in 2011. Seeing the incredible difference service dogs could make in the lives of their recipients, she became involved through volunteering her time & talent to Guardian Angels. Ms. Brandt was then asked to join the Board of Directors and has served as a Board Member since 2013. Recently, Mary Jo has been named as a 2021 Patriot Scholarship recipient from Colorado Technical University. When asked why this scholarship and completing her Master’s Degree in Business Administration was so important to her, she responded, “This scholarship represents how important education is to our military/veterans and their families. I am honored to be part of this unique community. I am already in a career that demonstrates my commitment to helping others, I expect finishing this degree will allow me to be much more effective in my pursuit of working with our Veterans. This scholarship isn’t just about me. It is about how I can help others.” Today we face an even bigger challenge that none of us saw coming during the midst of the pandemic and world-wide economic collapse beginning to unfold. Yet again, Mary Jo is stepping up to the plate to be sure that our organization continues to serve those that need us, as we triumph in the face of untold adversity of today’s world. Businesses will only survive these difficult times because of leaders like Mary Jo.
Sergeant First Class Nathaniel R. Burney is a native of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training with Alfa Company 787th MP Company, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri in Sep 1999. Sergeant First Class Burney’s military education includes: PLDC, BNCOC, SLC, Physical Security Course, Military Working Dog Handler’s Course, Military Working Dog Kennel Master’s Course, Basic Instructors Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Unit Armorer Course, Equal Opertunity course and Combat Life Savers Course. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Business Management from Radford University, VA; he also has two Associate Degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, one in Criminal Justice and the other in Military Science and Instructional Technology. Sergeant First Class Burney’s military assignments include: Gunner, in the 549th MP Company Fort Stewart GA; Driver in the 3rd MP Company Fort Stewart GA; Team Leader in the 3rd MP Company Fort Stewart GA; Team Leader in the 194th MP Company Fort Campbell KY; Squad Leader in the 194th MP Company Fort Campbell KY; Squad Leader in the 947th MP Detachment Fort Meyer VA; Plans and Training NCO in the 947th MP Detachment Fort Meyer VA; Kennel Masters in the 947th MP Detachment Fort Meyer VA; Instructor at the Military Working Dog School in the 701st MP BN, Lackland AFB TX; Instructor Supervisor at the Military Working Dog School in the 701st MP BN, Lackland AFB TX; Kennel Master at the 95th MP Detachment Fort Lewis WA; Force Protection/Physical Security Senior Manager at the 593rd ESC Fort Lewis WA. Sergeant First Class Burney’s deployments include: Bosnia-Herzegovina (2000), Operation Enduring Freedom Kuwait (2002), Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-2004/2005-2006). Sergeant First Class Burney’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC) Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC) , Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (4 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drivers Badge. Sergeant First Class Burney has been married to Dawn for the past 12 years and together they have one child, Taya Jane Burney(8).