PAGE 14 | THE VILLAGER • June 6, 2019
FLEURISH
Charismatic Keni Thomas will be at TAPS fundraiser on June 15
“As a renowned and sought-after motivational speaker, Keni Thomas absolutely wowed the crowd at the Arapahoe County Lincoln Day Dinner with a thrilling description of his Benghazi rescue, and how he was able to support and motivate the others who went in with him,” said Lynne Cottrell, who is event director of the annual TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) fundraiser on Saturday evening June 15 at the Grove Family Ranch. And, he will be back! The humble Thomas is glad to be coming back to Colorado. ”There’s something about TAPS,” he said. “I love that
Keni Thomas - songwriter, singer, author, motivational speaker, teacher, U.S. Army Rangers veteran of “Black Hawk Down” mission, pilot and dad. Photos by Scottie Taylor Iverson
show. It generally catches some magic. There’s unity and common cause. All the branches of the military – it’s Team America! Those are our players. We’re doing something.” Even though he’s extremely busy with multiple careers, he rarely says no. He’s been singing all his life - having solos in grade school, church and always had a band – even in the army and opened for big acts including Toby Keith. His first show was at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. That got him to Nashville – as he says “the must-be- present- to- win town.” Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry helped him in the industry. He has written many songs with Billy Montana,
First book and another in the works - stories of vets giving through sharing their amazing combat experiences.
who will also be back for the Grammy and CMA award-winning songwriters show saluting our fallen heroes, and who introduced Keni to Lynne and Bo Cottrell. Danny Wells and Jimmy Nichols will also be on stage. One of Keni’s favorite songs that will be performed is Circle on the Cross. He teaches an impactful leadership school in Wyoming and has recently moved from Nashville to Canton, Ohio with Heidi, her daughter Scarlett and their two-month-old son Jett Isaiah who will accompany the couple to Colorado. For sponsorship, tickets and information: 303-696-0450 or www.TAPS. org/colorado.
PAIN, PASSION AND THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC: How one CEO is Creating a Movement with his Mission and Music
Cor2Cor Professional Alliance hosted Thomas Sandgaard at its well-attended program at Shanahan’s. Thomas Sandgaard made a presentation last year to the Cor2Cor audience about Zynex Medical, the company he founded in 1996
that makes medical devices and products for pain management and rehabilitation. His is quite an undiscovered story – an immigrant from Denmark, a businessman, foundation creator and performer who became a U.S. citizen largely due in part to former U.S.
Thomas Sandgaard, founder, chairman and CEO of Zynex Medical, founder and president of Sandgaard Foundation Photo by Scottie Taylor Iverson
Executive Director, Center for Open Recovery Fay Zenoff; Thomas Sandgaard, founder, The Sandgaard Foundation and Suzanne Hammer, founder Hammer & Associates in LA at the Concert for Recovery presented by MusicCares, the charitable arm of the Grammys honoring Macklemore
Courtesy of Suzanne Hammer
Congressman Mike Coffman, with assistance from Edie Marks and Dave Evans. Sandgaard focuses on the opioid epidemic. Because of the success of his company,
the entrepreneur founded and funded The Sandgaard Foundation to end the complex opioid epidemic. The foundation supports the nationwide efforts to reduce the habitual
use of prescription pain medication, prevent addiction and support victims and their families. The foundation also increases public awareness, opens the opportunity to talk openly about opioids, works with nonprofits, healthcare professionals, musicians and the greater community
Thomas Sandgaard with American rapper Macklemore
Courtesy of Suzanne Hammer
Former U.S. Congressman Mike Coffman, Edie Marks, Nepeta Godec - co-founder of Cor2Cor and Dave Evans at Shanahan’s
Photo by Scottie Taylor Iverson
to save lives and change the way we treat pain: together. He was a star guitarist in Denmark and plays again with his band Gaardian. Introductions are being made on his behalf in LA by Gary Tedder (father of Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic). Cor2Cor member Suzanne Hammer’s local firm runs the Sandgaard Foundation.