Troops Direct

The Troops Direct Team

Aaron Negherbon

Founder & Executive Director

Cody Dupler

Managing Director & COO

Amy Sebastian

Development Director

Adina Erridge

Program Director

Board of Directors

Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I live in Lafayette, CA with my beautiful wife and two daughters.

What line of work are you in?
I am the VP of Sales of Certain, the leader in event automation software.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I received a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from California State University, Chico.

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I first heard of TD years ago, through a friend and TD supporter (Justin Casas). He always spoke highly of the organization and its cause.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
Troops Direct stands out as a unique military charity because it supports actively deployed troops. As a proud supporter of the US Armed Forces and having never served, this was a small way to give back and have a direct, tangible impact.

Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I live in Danville with my husband Rich. We have four children and 10 grandchildren.

What line of work are you in?
Shuttling my grandkids. I was in finance and marketing before retiring.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I attended Diablo Valley College and studied Business.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
I support our troops. They defend our country and deserve better than what our government provides them. Troops Direct makes their lives a little easier while they are out there defending our country.

Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I currently live in Champaign, Il with a wife and 3 kids.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I went to the Naval Academy and then to Michigan for my MBA.

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I’m not sure how I learned about Troops Direct. I do know that they sent my buddy downrange about $4,000 in gear and that was all I needed to know.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
I want to get more people to give and get more exposure for Troops Direct.

Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
Wilmington, North Carolina, with my wife Liz and our four children Alden, Ella, Slade, and Rowan.

What line of work are you in?
Technology, Consulting, and Supply Chain Management and Logistics.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I went to Villanova University for my undergraduate degree in Accounting, Villanova University School of Law for my Juris Doctor, George Washington University School of Law for my Masters of International Law, Marine Corps Command and Staff College for a Masters of Military Studies, and The Air War College for a Masters of Strategic Studies.

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I learned about Troops Direct from Jake Jones. He was getting ready to retire and he mentioned how Troops Direct had supported him during his MARSOC deployment.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
I am passionate about and believe in the Troops Direct mission of providing downrange operators, National Guardsmen, and military units in CONUS and OCONUS with commercial off the shelf products when they have gaps in their kit build-out. Troops Direct makes a meaningful impact in the lives of service members.

Kent Cleaver Troops Direct Board Member
Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I live in Franklin, Tennessee with my wife Stephanie. I have two grown children, Charlie, and Cayla. Both married and also live in Franklin. Three grandchildren, grandson Brooks and identical twin granddaughters, Bailey, and Berkley.

What line of work are you in?
Retired after 43 years in commercial banking in Nashville.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
Graduate of Lipscomb University in Nashville with a BS degree in Business Management and Economics. Also hold degrees from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and The Tennessee School of Banking, where I also served on the faculty for 19 years.

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I first learned about Troops Direct in the spring of 2022 from a colleague where I work.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
The United States military is present in over 100 countries around the world. Some on peace-keeping missions, and some carrying out Special Operations missions that are vital to the safety and security of Americans. Most of these missions are highly classified and will never become known to the public, however the dangerous work being done by these brave men and women make it possible for Americans to enjoy the freedoms and quality of life with which we are so blessed. These people need our support in special ways the current military supply chain may not be as effective. I cannot change the world, but I can make a difference for service members who are in harm’s way protecting my way of life.

Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I currently live in San Ramon CA but, looking at living in San Diego as well. My company will be opening an office starting March 1st. I am a widower with 2 children Gisella and Antonio. Both kids have started working with me a year ago.

What line of work are you in?
My company Epicus Group, LLC focuses on Project and Construction Management for complex facilities such as Hospitals, Banks, Clean Rooms, Manufacturing, Data Centers and Aerospace in the industries of High Tech, Biotech and Energy.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I graduated in from Cal State East Bay in Industrial Engineering and continue my higher education at Stanford University which is where I completed the Stanford Executive Program. Below in order all of my education.

Stanford Executive Program
School of Business, Palo Alto, CA

BS Industrial Engineering, California State
University, Hayward

Construction Management Certificate,
California State East Bay

Facilities Manager Designation and Real
Property Administration Designation,
Building Owners & Managers Institute (BOMI)

Industrial Management Certificate, Los
Medanos Community College

Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering, Sierra
Academy of Aeronautics (Airframe and Powerplant License)

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I was introduced to Troops Direct by Aaron. Our offices were in the same building. He came to introduce himself and recognize that I was Veteran. He seen the large piece of artwork I had in my office. From there I have been committed to the cause to support our troops however I can.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
Being a former Veteran, it wasn’t always easy to get supplies and equipment during peace time and even harder when deployed. Everything we received was always second hand and, in most cases, very hard to get.
I believe that Troops Direct eliminates some of those issues for some operators but, can’t touch as many active enlisted military personnel as it would like too. My why? I feel like Troops direct as on organization can grow to help more deploy active military and I can help in the support of achieving those goals. Protecting our country is not getting easier and as a citizen of this great country, I need to do my part.


Where do you live, with who and how many children you have?
I live in Danville with my wife Lisa. We have two children, Anthony 24, and KC 22, both ready to graduate college.

What line of work are you in?
I’m in the financial services business.

Where did you go to college and what degree do you have?
I graduated Washington State University with a BA in Business.

Do you remember how & when you learned about Troops Direct?
I heard about TD about eight years ago through Aaron right after my son’s best friends brother was killed in Afghanistan.

What is your “why” for being a member of Troops Direct’s Board of Directors?
My Why is that although I have never been in the military, I have so much respect for how they sacrifice to give me and my family the freedom and choices we have.