July 25, 2024–Matt Armbruster / Founder, Ransom Ministries

Matt Armbruster is a dedicated social entrepreneur and community leader in Mobile, Alabama.

In 2010, alongside his wife Tara, he co-founded Ransom Café, a donation-only restaurant. This initiative aimed to provide not just meals, but dignity and community to those in need.

In 2015, the couple furthered their mission with Ransom Reprogram, a job training program designed to empower formerly incarcerated, addicted, and homeless individuals to reintegrate into the workforce.

Building on this success, The Ransom team introduced Ransom Recycling in 2018, which provides crucial on-the-job training while reinforcing the character development initiated in Reprogram.

In 2022 collaborating with the City of Mobile, Matt spearheaded “Road2work” a transformative initiative aimed at further empowering individuals experiencing Homelessness through employment opportunities and community engagement.

Over the past 14 years, these initiatives through Ransom have impacted over 500,000 individuals

Originally from Kansas, Matt Armbruster relocated to Mobile in 1992 and has since become an integral part of its community.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Matt enjoys golf, hunting, and traveling. He also serves as a chaplain to local businesses through Coastal Chaplains.

Matt is married to Tara Skipper Armbruster, and they are proud parents to five daughters: Teagan, Shelby, Micaela, Abbey, and Mary Paige.

July 18, 2024–. Gina Englund / School Director, Bright Academy

Mrs.Gina Englund graduated from the University of South Alabama in 1986 with a B.A. in Early
Childhood Education. She has taught in both the public and private school systems for many
years, served on the Building Leadership Team, Accreditation Tram, and was honored as
Teacher of the Year in 1994 and 2006.
Mrs. Gina became very passionate about the reading struggles that the dyslexic children were
experiencing in the classroom. She obtained her Dyslexia Therapist degree and opened a
school specifically designed for helping dyslexic learners. Bright Beginnings Academy was
formed in 2013 with Mrs. Gina as the founder and director. In 2018, she was honored with the
Golden Apple Award and in 2019, she received the Teacher of the Year award from World
Strides.
Mrs. Gina has served on the AISA Accreditation Team for the past two years and currently
serves as the Vice President of the International Dyslexia Association – Alabama Branch.
Last year, at the request of the students, the school was renamed Bright Academy, home of the
Eagles. Mrs. Gina continues to serve in her role as Founder and Director while also beginning a
new venture of training experienced teachers to become Dyslexia Therapists

June 27, 2024–Garrett Williamson / President, Personal Edge Fitness “The Lie of Age”

Born in Mobile, Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia where he was a pole-vaulter on the varsity track team. Garrett went on to complete his master’s degree in Fitness Management (M.S.S) at United States Sports Academy. While at the Academy, Garrett interned at the Siegfried health center at St. Johns Medical facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and the Cooper Institute in Dallas Texas.

After personal training for eight years in different facilities in Georgia, Oklahoma and Alabama, Garrett opened Personal Edge Fitness, in 2000. With the most qualified staff in the southeast, Personal Edge offers personal training in all facets of fitness and sport through in person, online, in home and corporate settings.  Garrett can be heard weekly as the Host of the “Personal Edge Fitness” podcast, dispelling myths about health, fitness, and wellness.

In 2010 Garrett re-entered the competitive athletic field in Sprint Triathlon. In August of that year Garrett, qualified for TEAM USA and his first World Championships in Beijing, China. In Beijing Garrett finished 15th in the world and was the top American finisher in his division. Since 2011 he has competed for Team USA in 10 world championships in Sprint Triathlon, Aquabike and Aquathlon. Garrett will compete in his 11th World Championships representing TEAM USA, in Australia, August 2024.

He is married to Stephanie Jane Eads from Jasper, Alabama. They are both very active with Save-a-Stray and their K-9 foster and adoption programs. They are the proud parents of five dogs and provide a temporary home to many fosters.