The Objective Zero Story
In the fall of 2014, Justin Miller was struggling with the transition out of the military. Medically retired after serving 12 years as an infantry soldier, Justin was dealing with medical issues including post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. After several nights of getting only a few hours of sleep due to nightmares, he reached his breaking point and was ready to take his life. The only thing that stopped him was that he didn't want to wake his wife by loading his weapon. He reached out for help and couldn't get an appointment for 2 days. Within a matter of minutes of hanging up the phone, Chris Mercado, his former PL, called Justin to see how he was doing, as Chris recognized signs on social media that Justin was struggling. The pair spoke on the phone overnight, with Chris simply listening to Justin. This 6+ hour phone call would change both of their lives and sparked the idea that the simple act of listening can save the lives of veterans.
Founders
After the call between Chris and Justin, they assembled a team to help them launch the Objective Zero Foundation. In addition to Chris and Justin, this team included Ryan Pereira, Blake Bassett, Kayla Bassett, Betsey Mercado, and Amy Eastman.
In addition to countless hours of volunteer service, each of these co-founders contributed immensely to the development and launch of the Objective Zero mobile application.
Executive Staff
BETSEY MERCADO
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Betsey Mercado became involved in Objective Zero after seeing the positive influence that intervention had on veterans in crisis. Betsey has committed herself to making a difference in the lives of Soldiers, veterans, and their families. Her experience working with military spouses and leading multiple Family Readiness Groups supporting active duty units gives her a unique perspective that she brings to the Objective Zero team. She volunteers her time to assist with development of the Objective Zero mobile app, maintain the website, and manage Objective Zero’s administration. Betsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Human Services from Purdue University.
DESMOND JACK
Deputy Executive Director
Desmond is an infantry officer with over 20 years in the U.S. Army. Desmond was motivated to join Objective Zero because he has personally lost several teammates and good friends to suicide. Understanding the urgency of this problem, Desmond was inspired to make a difference in the lives of fellow service-members and veterans. During his career, Desmond has deployed on both operational and combat tours to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Saudi Arabia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from Campbell University and completed his Master of Arts in International Relations from Webster University.
CHRIS MERCADO
Co-Founder, Operations and Partnership Director
Chris Mercado has over 20 years of military service in the infantry. Over the years Chris has lost several of his peers and former soldiers to suicide. Chris was inspired to act by telling Justin Miller’s story and observing the difference it made in Justin’s life. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Dakota and completed his Master of Arts at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He is a General Wayne A. Downing Scholar of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, is a military fellow of the College of William and Mary, and a national security fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Chris deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and the West Bank.
JUSTIN MILLER
Co-Founder, Speaker and Storyteller
Justin Miller’s story is the inspiration behind Objective Zero. Originally from Wheeling, West Virginia, Justin enlisted as an infantryman in the U.S. Army in April of 2003 and served for 11 years, deploying twice to Iraq. Justin served as a rifleman with the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, was an infantry scout and sniper team leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, and was a infantry squad leader with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Justin also served as a military recruiter in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He has an Associate of Arts from Columbia Southern University. Justin is always willing to share his inspirational story.
LUCA VENTURA
Chief Technology Officer
Luca Ventura is a Mobile Software Engineer with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Mobile Application Development from Full Sail University. Luca bring a wealth of technical expertise to assist in Objective Zero’s mission of bringing suicide prevention tools to those in need through technology. Luca’s long-standing passion for solving real world problems that impact people’s lives through technology aligns with the core values of Objective Zero. Luca learned about Objective Zero through a serendipitous chain of events, starting with being childhood friends with one of Justin’s brothers. After learning about Justin’s story and the Objective Zero mission, Luca felt called to utilize his education and experience to join the team on this important life changing mission known as Objective Zero.
TYSON WALSH
Operations, Research, and Development
Tyson Walsh has extensive experience in the infantry and Operations Research (FA 49) in the military. During his tenure in the military, Tyson saw his fair share of close calls involving veterans and suicides, and decided to pursue a solution en masse by using his background in STEM. He is a US Merchant Marine Academy graduate and has since gone on to earn his Masters of Science in Applied Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is currently serving in the USMA West Point Department of Mathematics as an Instructor.
AMY G. EASTMAN
Co-Founder, Fundraising Consultant
Amy Eastman received her M.A. from the Georgetown Security Studies Program. Amy brings her background in nonprofits to the Objective Zero team, having previously worked at Equal Rights Advocates and Global Solutions for Infectious Diseases.
Please contact amy@objectivezero.org if you would like to discuss how you can support Objective Zero.
Advisory Board
DR. CRAIG BRYAN
Advisor, Clinical Therapy
Dr. Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology, and is currently the Executive Director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at The University of Utah. Dr. Bryan received his PsyD in clinical psychology in 2006 from Baylor University, and completed his clinical psychology residency at the Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, TX. He was retained as faculty in the Department of Psychology at Wilford Hall Medical Center, where he was Chief of the Primary Care Psychology Service, as well as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for Lackland AFB. Dr. Bryan deployed to Balad, Iraq, in 2009, where he served as the Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at the Air Force Theater Hospital. He is considered a leading national expert on military and veteran suicide. For his contributions to military mental health and suicide prevention, Dr. Bryan has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Arthur W. Melton Award for Early Career Achievement, the Peter J.N. Linnerooth National Service Award, and the Charles S. Gersoni Military Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association; and the Edwin S Shneidman Award for outstanding contributions to research in suicide from the American Association of Suicidology.
DUANE K. L. FRANCE, MA, NCC, LPCc
Advisor, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Duane France, MA, NCC, LPCc, is currently serving as the Director of Veteran Services at The Family Care Center, a private mental health counseling agency specializing in the unique needs of military service members, veterans, and their families. He is also the Executive Director of the Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit affiliated with the Family Care Center. Mr. France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer and combat veteran, having served in deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, North Africa, and Bosnia-Herzegovnia. After retirement, he served as Program Director for the Colorado Veterans Resource. In 2015, Mr. France was selected as one of five Military Scholars in the nation by the National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation, and in 2016 was selected as the awardee of the 2016 NBCC Foundation Capacity Building Grant, providing no-cost clinical mental health counseling to veterans in and around El Paso County, Colorado. He also writes for an audience of veterans, their families, and those who support veterans on his website, www.veteranmentalhealth.com. Mr. France is passionate about veteran mental health, and feels strongly that those who have served in the military can continue to provide value to their community long after that service has ended.