“At AWP, suicide prevention is not a stand-alone program,” says AWP President and CEO Jim Lorraine, “but rather, the outcome of best-in-class service, collaboration, care, compassion, and productive partnerships that begin with a trusted, meaningful relationship.” AWP is working to grow in local and national partnerships with currently over 4,000 partners working with the AWP Network in addition to their multi-year veteran suicide study, Operation Deep Dive™.
The team of veterans will race aboard the Defender, led by female captain, Martha Kristian. According to Kristian, “Our past efforts have resulted in raised awareness, driving increased activity from at-risk veterans reaching out for help – a response directly linked to the exposure we receive during the race.”
TWG Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Chris Kristian, added, “Along with providing outcome-based solutions, AWP is doing fantastic research along with Duke Medical to identify at-risk veterans. This is a team effort supported by the entire TWG organization, and we’re fortunate to use the race as a platform.” Chris added, “While the cause behind why we race is serious, our team is equally serious about winning.”
The Westport Group has raised over $50,000 in support of AWP’s mission in the last year.
The Defender will be crewed by veterans and TWG personnel including:
- Chris Kristian, The Westport Group, Executive Vice President and Managing Director – former infantry officer who served in several of the Army’s most elite units.
- Gary Terry, The Westport Group, Executive Vice President and Managing Director
- David Fridovich, AWP Board Member – former Deputy Commander U.S. Special Operations Command; retired as a Green Beret (Fridovich was the Army’s highest-ranking Special Forces Officer at the time of his retirement).
- Bobbi Scroggin, US Army Veteran, which included a tour in Afghanistan. Bobbi was an All-Army boxer and the former coach of West Point’s women’s boxing team. Currently she is a Relationship Executive at JP Morgan.
About America’s Warrior Partnership
America’s Warrior Partnership is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with communities to prevent veteran suicide. They connect local veteran-serving organizations with the appropriate resources, services, and partners to support veterans, their families, and caregivers at every stage of life. Their goal is to improve veterans’ quality of life and end veteran suicide by empowering local communities to serve them proactively and holistically before a crisis occurs.
Learn more at americaswarriorpartnership.org or @AWPartnership.
About The Westport Group
The Westport Group’s proprietary insurance coverage empowers companies to offer top talent a greater amount of protection from the financial challenges of an unexpected disability. As an innovator and industry leader, TWG serves their clients with bespoke products, intuitive service, and unwavering integrity. TWG is a veteran-operated business and proud supporter of America’s Warrior Partnership and the Figawi Charities. If you’d like to help us make a difference, we welcome you to donate today.
