Jessica Maerz

Hey everyone! I was born in Athens, GA and moved with my family to Wisconsin when I was a toddler. I grew up in WI and attempted college at Winona State in MN that led into building life long friendships, but no college degree. Lol. When I was 21, I moved to Orlando, FL and began working as a patient registration rep with Florida Hospital. A couple months after moving there, 9/11 happened. Coming from a long line of Veterans in my family (dad, grandfather, several uncles, aunt, and great uncles - apparently we have had a family member in every war/conflict since the American Revolution), I knew I wanted to make a difference so I decided to join the military. In January 2003 (it took that long for a female spot to open up!), I left to go to boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. I spent five and a half years as an avionics technician with EA-6Bs and P-3Cs up at NAS Whidbey Island, WA. I got out and moved back to Orlando to finish up my B.A. and eventually my masters in social work from UCF. After graduating with my masters, my first job was earning $13/hour as a case manager for a non-profit organization for people who were homeless, at risk of becoming homeless and/or disabled. Interesting side fact, I ran a food pantry and also qualified to receive items from the food pantry because of my low income status. Smh. Anyway….. after a year there, I started working as a social worker at the Orlando VA with homeless Veterans. I loved it. Shortly after, I fell in love with my husband, who is still active duty and who I met when I was in the Navy, and he got orders from FL back to WA. So bye bye VA job and hello again to Whidbey. I worked with the Dept of the Navy as a civilian doing counseling, family advocacy, and suicide response. Once again, my husband was up for orders so that move brought us down to the great state of Texas. I'm now back with the VA, this time working in suicide prevention. I feel very fortunate to have all of the opportunities I have.

On a less occupational side of me, I have two amazing children who are 4 and 3. They're the 2nd and 3rd loves of my life, but they tie for 2nd. Fourth loves are the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Everything else in the world falls after them. Shhhhh. Don't tell Ingrid!

I started this podcast with Ingrid with the full belief it wouldn't last and all I had to do was read emails, but look at us now! A website where I have to write a bio, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and god knows
what other platform she got us on!! All joking aside, it is a privilege being able to share everyone's situations and bring awareness to topics that aren't always in the limelight, but should be.

Thanks for listening. I truly hope you enjoy and as always, reach out if you want to hear about
something or want to share a story yourself! Let me just sit back and read emails, dang it!!!!