Board Members & Partners

Joe LaBranche, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran who served with “Mike” Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, is the founder and CEO of AboutFace-USA^®, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing comprehensive support to veterans and their families. As a two-time Purple Heart recipient, Joe’s own journey with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) profoundly shapes his commitment to aiding others facing similar struggles. His personal experiences have enabled him to connect deeply with other veterans, contributing to the prevention of 18 veteran suicides since 2009.

In his professional life, Joe spent over 15 years as a Credit Card Fraud Investigator and Department Manager, where he honed his skills in team-building and leadership. He leveraged these skills in his nonprofit work, particularly through innovative programs like Project GROW (Gardening, Recreation, Outreach, and Wellness), which he introduced to the Forsyth County School District in 2015. This program educates veterans and students on Aeroponic Tower Gardening, promoting mental wellness through horticulture.

In 2023, alongside his wife Carol, Joe successfully secured a $1.28 million Congressionally Directed SAMHSA grant for a Proactive Veteran Intervention Recovery Program, which supports veterans in North Georgia. This initiative includes Project GROW among other services, enhancing the holistic support system for veterans.

Joe is actively involved in various veteran organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Marine Corps League, American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). His contributions to the veteran community have been recognized through multiple awards, including O’Charley’s Veteran of the Year in 2015 and the Veterans Empowerment Organizations (VEO) Volunteers of the Year award in 2022, shared with his wife.

Married for 49 years with two children and three grandchildren, Joe’s personal and professional life exemplifies his dedication to his country, his family, and the well-being of his fellow veterans. His leadership at AboutFace-USA^® continues to inspire and make a substantial impact in the lives of many, fostering environments where veterans can achieve holistic wellness and recovery from the psychological aftereffects of trauma.

U.S. Army Colonel Dennis T. Brown, D.B.A. retired after 30 years of distinguished service. During his military career, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly as a leader of leaders in the war in Afghanistan. Beyond his military accomplishments, Dennis has made significant contributions to his community as a former Commander of American Legion Post 307 and as a former Forsyth County Commissioner.

In his civilian career, Dennis is a respected faculty member at Kennesaw State University, where he teaches in the Criminal Justice Department. His courses include terrorism, homeland security, cybercrime & law, and cyber forensics, reflecting his deep expertise and commitment to educating the next generation of professionals in these critical areas.

Dennis’s extensive experience and dedication to public service make him an invaluable asset to the AboutFace-USA^® board. His strategic vision and leadership skills play a crucial role in guiding the organization’s mission to support and empower veterans and their families.

Jim Lindenmayer serves as a dedicated board member of AboutFace-USA^®, bringing a wealth of experience from his distinguished military and civilian careers. He grew up on a farm near Herkimer, New York, an area rich in Revolutionary War heritage. Jim graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980 with a BS in Chemical Engineering and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army. He served with the Armored Cavalry branch of Combat Arms, holding various command and staff positions at both the Troop and Squadron levels. After his active duty service, he continued in the Reserves until 1989.

Following his retirement from the corporate world in 2014, Jim focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans. He founded the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program on Veterans Day 2014 and serves as its Program Director. The program assists homeless veterans and focuses on preventing homelessness among financially challenged, disabled, or elderly veterans. Services include short-term housing, car donations, food, clothing, furniture, toiletries, VA and SSDI claims assistance, a fly fishing program, and home repairs in partnership with the Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Since its inception, the program has helped over 2,000 veterans.

Jim also contributes to the veteran community as a member of the Balance of State (BOS) Homeless Committee for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and leads the Housing Pillar for VETLANTA. His dedication has earned him national recognition, including an award from the American Legion National Commander in 2015 and a service award from the Marine Corps League Woodstock in 2016.

Jim is married to his supportive wife, Margo, of 36 years. His extensive military background, coupled with his passion for veteran advocacy, makes him an invaluable asset to the AboutFace-USA^® board.

Marion R. Pierre serves as the Programs Manager at AboutFace-USA^®, bringing over 15 years of teaching and training experience to the organization. Marion is renowned for her strong research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities, alongside her excellent communication and customer service skills. As a strategic planner, she excels in critical and logical thinking, with a keen eye for detail and time management.

In her role, Marion leverages her expertise in stakeholder management, cross-functional collaboration, budget and financial analysis, customer service, strategic planning, and conflict resolution. Her career achievements include recognition in Emory University’s Aspiring Leaders Program and several prestigious awards such as AT&T’s Customer Care Vice President’s Award and multiple Eagle Awards for Quality of Work Life Training.

Before joining AboutFace-USA^®, Marion held significant roles at Emory University and the University of Phoenix, where she developed and managed public engagement programs, taught humanities, and provided leadership in assessment initiatives. Her educational background includes a Master of Theology and a Master of Divinity from Emory University, a Juris Master in Business Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

Marion is also actively involved in her community, serving on various boards and committees, including the Youth Hope Builder’s Institute and the Sullivan Center. Her dedication to promoting empowerment through scholarship and mentoring underscores her commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Jen Proffitt serves as the Finance Manager and board member of AboutFace-USA^®, where she provides crucial financial guidance and support. With a career spanning since 2005 in the Accounting and Finance field, Jen brings extensive expertise to the organization. Her role encompasses managing grant applications and organizing fundraising events, ensuring the financial health and sustainability of AboutFace-USA^®.

Inspired by her father, a Vietnam veteran, Jen has developed a profound passion for helping veterans. This passion is evident in her work as a Financial Literacy Coach for veterans and their families. She is dedicated to assisting veterans in getting their financial lives in order, recognizing the unique and confidential nature of each individual’s situation and goals.

Jen’s commitment to financial accountability and her empathetic approach make her an invaluable part of the veterans’ journey towards improved financial well-being. She finds great fulfillment in being able to contribute to the betterment of veterans’ lives, and her efforts significantly impact their ability to achieve financial stability and independence.

Her extensive background in finance, coupled with her personal connection to the veteran community, positions Jen as a key asset to the AboutFace-USA^® board, where her insights and leadership continue to drive the organization’s mission forward.

AboutFace-USA^® is honored to collaborate with Kennesaw State University’s Center for the Advancement of Military and Emergency Services (AMES) Research on the Profiles of Resilience initiative. This program is dedicated to capturing and disseminating the inspiring stories of resilience displayed by military veterans and their families, who have triumphed over significant life challenges.

The initiative is expertly led by Katherine Moore, LMSW, whose guidance is pivotal in shaping the narrative and outreach of the program. The Profiles of Resilience initiative benefits immensely from the academic partnership with Dr. Brian Moore, Dr. Tyler Collette, and Dr. Israel Sanchez-Cardona, all of whom bring specialized expertise from Kennesaw State University.

Dr. Brian Moore, with his PhD in Health Psychology, contributes valuable insights into the physical and mental health challenges faced by veterans. His research supports the development of programs that enhance the wellbeing of veterans and their families.

Dr. Tyler Collette, holding a PhD in Psychology, focuses on the psychological resilience and recovery processes. His work ensures that the stories shared highlight therapeutic and empowering aspects, offering hope and actionable strategies to others in the veteran community.

Dr. Israel Sanchez-Cardona’s PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology enriches the initiative with strategies on organizational support for veterans, facilitating smoother transitions and integration into community life. His expertise is crucial in the structural planning and execution of support systems within the program.

Together, these professionals have played a key role in aiding AboutFace-USA^® in the strategic rollout of grants that support not only the Profiles of Resilience initiative but also other critical programs such as the community center, the veteran ride service, and various partner programs. Their collective research and expertise in understanding veteran needs have been instrumental in securing funding and designing programs that truly cater to the veteran community. This collaboration exemplifies how academic partnerships can significantly enhance the impact of non-profit initiatives aimed at supporting our veterans.

Carolyn Agosta is a key facilitator at AboutFace-USA^®, where she leads the Holistic Healing Class, a vital program designed to support veterans through integrative health practices. Her holistic approach to healing emphasizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, providing veterans with tools to enhance their overall well-being and manage stress effectively.

With a rich background in holistic therapies, Carolyn brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Her expertise spans a range of modalities, including mindfulness, yoga, and nutritional guidance, all tailored to meet the unique needs of veterans. Her classes offer a safe space for veterans to explore various healing practices that complement traditional medical treatments and support long-term recovery and resilience.

Carolyn’s dedication to holistic health is rooted in her belief in the power of personalized, compassionate care. Her programs are carefully designed to empower participants, helping them to reclaim a sense of control over their health and improve their quality of life. Through her classes at AboutFace-USA^®, Carolyn contributes to the broader mission of the organization to provide comprehensive support to veterans and their families, helping them to thrive in all aspects of life.