Roswell Rotary is pleased to honor Jarrad Turner, Sr. as a hero who has not only served his country, but has also served other veterans in such a meaningful way. Jarrad served in the Army for ten years, and  was deployed twice to Iraq. He was medically retired due to injuries sustained on his deployment and now applies his military and nonprofit leadership experience as the Chief Executive Officer of Veterans Technology Solutions (VTS) USA. VTS is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Under his guidance, VTS focuses on driving innovation in data storage, cybersecurity, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions tailored to healthcare and government sectors. Leveraging his background, Jarrad is committed to advancing technology that addresses veterans' unique challenges, including improving healthcare outcomes for those diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). His leadership is transforming VTS into a premier provider of data center infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions for enterprises, educational institutions, and public sector organizations.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Jarrad is a member of the Shepherd’s Men, a group dedicated to raising funds for the Shepherd Center SHARE Military Initiative. The program treats service members, veterans, and first responders with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Since 2014, over 125 million people have seen the team, and it has raised over $15 million. In 2018, Jarrad and Scott Johnson founded The Warrior Alliance, creating a platform that serves over 12,000 veterans across the southern United States. His efforts culminated in the opening of a 5,000-square-foot veteran support facility at the Battery Atlanta, which the Atlanta Braves donated. Jarrad has also worked on two research studies for the Department of Defense (DoD).

PROFESSIONAL & ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Jarrad serves on the Board of Directors at the Shepherd Center, ranked among the nation’s top rehabilitation hospitals, and was appointed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dennis McDonough to the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Disability Compensation (ACDC) in 2023. In 2024, he was recognized as one of the Mighty 25 by We Are The Mighty. We Are the Mighty is an annual award given to the top military influencers throughout America. Jarad was also featured in the 2024 Under Armor and Project Rock campaigns. More than six million viewers saw his story.

HOBBIES & FUN STUFF

Jarrad believes in giving back and living life to the fullest. He has coached boys' lacrosse at the middle and high school levels. Over the last decade, Jarrad has completed two Tough Mudder races, four Spartan Races, six half-marathons, three marathons, ten century cycling races, and three half-Ironman races. 

EDUCATION

His academic achievements complement Jarrad’s professional journey. Jarrad graduated from Alabama State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He completed the Executive Leadership Program for Nonprofit Organizations (ELPNO) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in 2018 and the Arthur M. Blank Executive Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Babson College in 2023.