Meet Our Staff
Michael Anthony
Michael joined GratitudeAmerica in June 2016 as Executive Director and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2020. Over the past decade he has raised more than $10 million for veterans, first responders, and their families. He led the organization into the Warrior PATHH network in 2019, as one of its first two partners. Under his leadership GratitudeAmerica dedicated the MSgt Michael G. Heiser Center for Post-Traumatic Growth at its Macclenny, Florida campus and is developing a second campus in Crawford County, Georgia. GratitudeAmerica holds Guidestar Platinum, Charity Navigator Four-Star, and Top-Rated Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits ratings.
Before GratitudeAmerica, Michael spent 20 years at Publix Super Markets, where he led corporate education for all managers. He holds degrees in education and advanced degrees in training and performance improvement. He is a post-traumatic growth practitioner trained in the Tedeschi and Calhoun framework at UNC Charlotte.
After the 9/11 attacks, Michael enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve. He shipped to basic training in November 2001 and was commissioned as an officer in 2004. Over 23 years of service he commanded units, deployed multiple times (including 18 months in Iraq), and developed regional medical strategy as a Health Services Officer at USINDOPACOM, Camp Smith, Hawaii. He retired as a Major. His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
Michael may be reached at michael@gratitudeamerica.org
Angela Adkins
Angela joined GratitudeAmerica as the Administrative Director in 2025, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to serving veterans and their growth companion. Her journey with GratitudeAmerica began in 2017 when she attended a retreat alongside her husband, a 20-year United States Navy veteran. Angela credits the skills they gained during that retreat, especially around communication, as pivotal to their growth as a couple.
With over 27 years of administrative and legal experience with the Federal Government and local municipalities, Angela brings valuable insight and leadership to her role, supporting the continued growth of the organization. Driven by her passion for helping others, especially those in support and caregiving roles within the military community, Angela is dedicated to strengthening camaraderie, connection, and healing. After years of volunteering and facilitating with GratitudeAmerica, she is excited to deepen her impact and continue fostering meaningful relationships across the veteran community.
Angela resides near Orlando, Florida, with her husband.
Angela may be reached at angela@gratitudeamerica.org
Chris Brower
As a youngster, Chris was fascinated with tribal warrior culture. The army seemed like a perfect choice after his dad told him, ‘Straighten up and find a job because you are not college material.’ For over 10 years, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment became his extended family. When he was selected as an Operational Advisor for the Asymmetric Warfare Group (AWG), he developed his talent in teaching strategies for overcoming obstacles.
His skills were put to the test when his son was diagnosed with leukemia and eventually succumbed to the disease in 2006. Alcohol, food, and excessive work masked his growing depression and anxiety. In 2020, Chris reluctantly attended Warrior PATHH after months of pressure from a friend. Now, Chris has found his passion and purpose as the Program Director. He is a more dedicated husband, a more involved father to 3 children, and has found peace in his heart.
Chris may be reached at chris@gratitudeamerica.org
Kristi Cromer
Kristi Cromer is the Program Director for Military Support Retreats at GratitudeAmerica. She volunteered with GratitudeAmerica for many years before joining the staff in February 2024. Today she leads the organization’s Military Support Retreats, which served more than 300 veterans and their Growth Companions across 11 retreats in Florida and Georgia in 2025.
As the wife of a combat veteran still serving after 24 years, and as a Gold Star sister, Kristi’s commitment to the military community is both professional and deeply personal. After losing her sister in 2019 to the invisible wounds of military service, she became even more dedicated to supporting veterans and the families who stand beside them.
Kristi brings more than 15 years of military-related experience, including roles with the Department of Defense and the Georgia Office of the Child Advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Thomas University. She lives near Huntsville, Alabama, with her husband, their big blended family of six children, and their spoiled English Springer Spaniel, Charlie.
Kristi may be reached at kristi@gratitudeamerica.org
Ashley Semerenko
Ashley has worked with GratitudeAmerica since 2017 as a facilitator for their military support retreats program and became a PATHH Guide for the Warrior PATHH program in 2019. Prior to working with GratitudeAmerica, Ashley graduated with an MSW from Loyola University Chicago in 2012 and since then has provided individual and group therapies to teens, couples, adults, and elders. Ashley also has worked for the past 5 years with military veterans and their families in recreational and educational programs and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Ashley believes that there is an overwhelming (and often overlooked) value and power of people simply connecting to one another – whether it’s connecting over experiences beliefs, feelings, etc.- that connection can be a binding and helpful force for people.
Ashley’s professional training and experience, coupled with her personal and family experience, allows her to provide different perspectives as well as a unique ability to better relate and understand others’ experiences. Ashley collaborates with retreat participants and PATHH students to identify and highlight their strengths, identify and challenge problematic thinking/perspectives, and introduce new coping and communication skills to consider.
Ashley may be reached at ashley@gratitudeamerica.org