Lawrence (Larry) E. Edmonds, Jr Full Bio

Lawrence (Larry) E. Edmonds, Jr., started Kzoo LEADERs in 2008; a youth, athletic, and leadership training 501c (3) Non-Profit Organization, since which time, he has spent more than 10,000 hours working with youth. He obtained an@International Sports Science Association (ISSA) Youth Training Certification. Retired from the federal government with over 20 years of total federal service. A graduate of Parchment High School, Parchment Michigan where he played basketball and football and went on to play basketball at Nazareth College, Kalamazoo, Michigan in the mid-1980's. Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Regents College, New York as well as his Master of Public Administration from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was employed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), DoD for over 10 years prior to retirement. Where he was awarded the Meritorious Civilian Service Award as a member of the DCST-Iraq Team from November 2006 to April 2007 while stationed at Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq. In addition, served 10 years in the United States Army, worked in Military Intelligence as well as Special Operations Command, while also attending various leadership and specialty training schools, amongst these: a graduate of Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course, United States Army Ranger School, United States Army Airborne School, and graduated the Survival, Evasion, Resistance Escape (SERE) course. Held employment with The Michigan Department of Corrections as a Special Alternative to Incarceration Drill Instructor, a Department of Michigan State Police Trooper, and a Police Officer for the City of Parchment. He has spent a lifetime developing and learning leadership through service of country, community, and athletics. He presently resides in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Peka@Edmonds and two of his four children, daughter Talia and son Alika; his other children, Tyler and Blake are both adults. In life, "opportunity fleets, chance flatters, but plans succeed!" Kzoo LEADERs will continue giving back to the youth, who represent our future.