Our Team
The people leading VALOR-22 and its mission to connect and serve the veteran community.
"Builds the mission and keeps every line moving toward it."
Adrian Brand is a military veteran, organizational leader, and founder of VALOR-22 LLC. He served in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman and Civil Affairs Specialist before becoming a DoD Training Support Manager at CACI International. While training more than 5,000 soldiers and completing 50 temporary duty assignments across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, he earned a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Inspired by friends who struggled in silence, lives lost to suicide, and support networks fractured during military transitions, Adrian founded VALOR-22 to combat isolation and strengthen the military-connected community. The platform provides a secure space for service members, veterans, and military families to connect, access verified VA and mental health resources, and explore career opportunities — honoring the fallen and connecting the living.
"Guards every dollar so the mission can last."
John Cooksey is the Chief Financial Officer of Valor-22, a role that allows him to combine his experience in leadership and resource management with something deeply important to him: continuing to serve the military and veteran community. John’s approach to leadership was shaped largely through his years of service in the U.S. Army. His military career has taken him well beyond traditional logistics responsibilities. While stationed in Europe, John was assigned in support of Special Operations and assisted in coordinating multiple joint training exercises. The experience of working with different organizations toward a common mission taught him the importance of communication, preparation, accountability, and finding solutions when circumstances rarely go exactly according to plan. He carries those lessons into Valor-22 today. As CFO, John is focused not simply on numbers, but on ensuring the company’s resources support its people, its mission, and its future. He believes financial responsibility and organizational growth should always serve a larger purpose. That sense of purpose is also deeply personal. John is a proud husband and father of three, and his family is at the center of everything he works toward. His military service, his family, and his experiences alongside fellow Service Members have given him a strong appreciation for the sacrifices military Families make and the importance of having organizations willing to stand behind them. Through Valor-22, John hopes to help build something that not only succeeds as a company but genuinely makes a difference for Veterans, Service Members, and their Families.
"Keeps the machine running, day in and day out."
James Kretschmer is a U.S. Army veteran and Chief Operating Officer of VALOR-22. His support for this mission is deeply personal. He has lost friends to suicide, and those losses have stayed with him. They are part of why he is committed to helping veterans find connection, support, and a community where they feel understood. His background includes military leadership in the Army and contracting with CACI, where he supported military training and readiness. His work included managing field operations, training more than 3,000 soldiers, and completing 50 temporary duty (TDY) assignments across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Those experiences taught him the importance of teamwork, accountability, and taking care of the people beside him. He believes that responsibility continues long after military service ends. James also brings experience in database engineering, AI engineering, software development, and project management. Through his work with VALOR-22, he aims to apply those skills to building a platform that makes it easier for veterans to connect with one another, access useful resources, and find opportunities. For James, supporting VALOR-22 is a way to honor the friends he has lost while continuing to serve the veteran community. His goal is to help create something veterans can rely on, a place where they can build relationships, find purpose, and know they have people in their corner.
"Tells our story with honor and reaches the ones who need us."
As Chief Marketing Officer of VALOR-22, Karde Cooksey brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences as a military spouse and mother of three. Having experienced the challenges of military life firsthand, she understands the importance of community, connection, and having access to a reliable support system. For Karde, VALOR-22 is more than a platform—it is a mission that holds personal meaning. She recognizes the sacrifices made not only by those who serve, but also by the families who stand beside them. From navigating relocations and uncertainty to building new connections and finding a sense of belonging, she understands how essential a strong military community can be. Her passion for VALOR-22 comes from a genuine desire to ensure that veterans, active-duty service members, and military families never feel alone or forgotten. As CMO, she is dedicated to expanding awareness, building meaningful partnerships, and helping create a trusted community where every member feels valued, supported, and connected. For Karde, the mission is personal: honoring those who served, supporting those who continue to serve, and strengthening the community that stands behind them.
"Charts the course and plans the next move."
First and foremost a devout Christian, proud U.S. Army combat veteran, and devoted father and grandfather, Joshua Bebout has served the military community for over two decades. His support to the military community spans Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, with extensive expertise in leadership, management, and training. When asked about the military, his perspective is simple: "They are family." As a dedicated pro-military advocate, joining Valor-22 is a natural fit for Joshua, as he always strives for what is best for his family. His goals align seamlessly with Valor-22: to support the military community and veterans across the globe, far beyond just the Eastern Front. As Chief Strategic Officer (CSO), his mission is to partner with the CEO in building a community rooted in strength, unity, and understanding by fostering meaningful connections, offering encouragement, and sharing vital resources. He stands firmly behind the CEO’s guiding vision: "Honor the fallen, connect the living."
"Builds the tech that keeps the mission running."
Bio coming soon.