President and CEO of the Florida Veterans Coalition

President and CEO of the Florida Veterans Coalition, working towards bringing more resources to
Veterans in the state of Florida.

Prior US Army Infantry Staff Sergeant with multiple combat tours and 10 years of leadership experience.
I run my own consulting operation that helps Veteran-owned businesses and Non-Profits build and
sustain an increased revenue while also becoming more socially conscious.
I am a building developer and real estate investor.

I am also a part of Boards and Partnerships in the community including Director of the Unincorporated
Seminole Sports Association, Chairman of Bauder Elementry School Advisory Council, Presedent Elect of
the Seminole Rotary Club, Board Member of the Tampa Bay Social Enterprise Alliance, Board Member of
the Non-Profit Leadership Alliance.

Florida Veterans Coalition is a 501 c3 Non-Profit organization that brings financial, emotional, and
regulatory assistance to Veterans and their families throughout the state of Florida. We host annual
Memorial Day & Veterans Day events to raise awareness and support for the Veteran community.
My Story

I joined the United States Army in January 2006 following my graduation from Sarasota Military Academy.
I attended Fort Benning Georgia’s Infantry Basic Training school and was stationed at Fort Riley Kansas
part of the 1st Battalion, 28thInfantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. While I was stationed at Fort Riley I
successfully advanced through the Infantry Mortars Leaders Course (IMLC), Warriors Leaders Course
(WLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Combat Life Savers certification (CLS), and Emergency Medical
Technician school (EMT).

In 2009 my unit was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 9-11) to Samarra, Iraq for a year
combat tour where I served as a mounted 240B and .50 Cal. Gunner.

In 2012 my unit was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF12-13) to Paktika Province,
Afghanistan for a 9-month combat tour where I served as the Mortar Section Sergeant on Combat Out

Post (COP) Zerok. During my deployment to Afghanistan, I was injured sustaining a Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI) during a foot patrol when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated close to my fighting
position resulting in 2 Americans killed in action (KIA).

In 2014 after 8 years of service, I received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces.
During my time in service, I received the rank of Staff Sergeant along with an assortment of certificates
and awards including 1 Purple Heart, 1 Army Accommodation Medal with Valor, 3 Army Accommodation
Medals, 3 Army Achievement Medals, along with a Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

I am the President of the Florida Veterans Coalition working towards bringing resources to Veterans in
the state of Florida.

Part-time, I run my own consulting operation that helps Veteran-owned businesses and Non-Profits build
and sustain an increased revenue while also becoming more socially conscious.

I am also part of some Boards and Partnerships in the community including the Tampa Bay Social
Enterprise Alliance, Non-Profit Leadership Alliance, Elected Director of the Unincorporated Seminole
Sports Association, Incoming President of The Seminole Rotary Club, Chairman of the Bauder School
Advisory Council and board member of Connective Human.

Obstacles/Challenges
I struggled when I departed the Military as it was a difficult transition. This struggle in finding the "what's
next" part of my Purpose was ultimately what drove me to start and operate my first Non-Profit, Pinellas
Vets Association. It has been 7 years since I realized my need, "purpose" for community engagement in
Veteran resources and it has been a long road with lots of learning along the way. I truly feel that I will
never be able to stray away from the Non-Profit sector as it has brought me so much and has given me
the opportunity to help my fellow man and fellow Veteran.

My Work
Name of business or organization

Florida Veterans Coalition is a 501 c3 Non-Profit organization that brings financial, emotional, and
regulatory assistance to veterans and their families throughout the state of Florida.

We host annual Memorial Day & Veterans Day events to raise awareness and support for the Veteran
community.

We currently serve veterans in the following areas:

Emergency Funding to help Veterans in crisis. We provide a $500 check to veterans going through an
emergency to help them get back on their feet.

Medical and therapy funding to help offset care needed that goes outside services given from the other
veteran administrations.

Scholarship Funding for direct children, grandchildren, and spouses of Veteran service members.
Spiritual services for grieving family or Veterans.

My Inspiration
When I was 8 years old my mother worked for the American Red Cross. This journey my mother took in
helping those who were going through life’s hardships following a disaster and loss became my stepping
stones into my love for helping people. Throughout my years I volunteered at the Red Cross and helped
out with the disaster action team providing resources at shelters during hurricanes, food and care to
those going through loss from fire, and emergency assistance to those less fortunate. This was my first
experience in giving and showed me at a young age the importance of selfless community volunteers.
During my time in service I spent my 20’s in 3rd world countries understanding the needs of humanity.
Seeing first hand those without life’s essentials living their everyday searching for hope and a better way
of life. This all was a great opportunity to see that even those who don’t have much still have the
happiness of each other and their community.

After my 9 year military career I sorrowed with the thought of losing my since of being that flourished
serving this great nation. It was after this realization that I followed my heart into providing assistance to
Veterans struggling from rehabilitating back into society. I started my first non-profit in 2014. I found a
love in helping provide services to homeless Veterans and people struggling from the hardships of post
combat life. This work gave me an understanding that even if you can provide them money, housing,
food, and jobs, you don’t truly help the individual until you help them find purpose. My belief is without
purpose you don’t find the value in life. Those who struggle with finding purpose have a much harder
time looking at tomorrow as a gift instead of a burden.

My Challenges
Some of the greatest challenges that face the Veteran demographic is finding their next and have the
ability and security to reach their goals. The systems put into place to help with this take care of the
biggest picture but lacks in helping those who fall thought the cracks. This population needs resources
that only a community can provide. I believe that we need more grass roots boots on the ground
operations that uphold a neighborly feel to work towards help solve the issue.

My Childhood memory
Growing up in Florida my favorite memory has always been around the beach. Whether its fishing,
surfing, or just hanging out, the water has always been my calming force.

Media
http://voyagetampa.com/interview/exploring-life-business-robby-groover-heavendropt/
https://www.fox13news.com/news/invisible-wounds-continue-to-plague-veterans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWLytBe9EU

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-north-pinellas/largo/largo-organization-turns-military-parachutes-into-gifts-profits-help-support-
disabled-veterans

https://www.spreaker.com/user/9808913/robbie-groover-10-28-2020
https://www.tbnweekly.com/largo_leader/article_6baceb3a-e2b8-11e8-a3cd-73e278af6437.html
https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/despite-rain-dozens-gather-for-memorial-day-ceremony-in-clearwater/
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/556485700/veterans-day-clearwater-memorial-event-honors-those-who-served
https://yourstoryamplified.com/heavendropt-veterans-charity-shifts-to-facemask-production/

Contact Information
https://heavendropt.org/
Robby.Groover@evergreenls.org
http://ourveteransalliance.org/
https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAllianceClearwater
https://www.instagram.com/heavendropt/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/robert.groover.779
https://www.facebook.com/heavendropt
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIa44o81aaWyqLa4Bw6ggw/featured
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-groover-6b2b99bb/

Videos
HEAVENDROPt Trailer https://youtu.be/vjs3DoSEn8U
Fox 13 News https://www.fox13news.com/video/736139
PBS https://video.wedu.org/video/821-heavendropt-7kr8yv/
Tampa Bay News https://www.tbnweekly.com/largo_leader/article_6baceb3a-e2b8-11e8-a3cd-73e278af6437.html
Good Day Tampa Bay https://www.fox13news.com/good-day-tampa-bay/heavendropt-turns-military-parachutes-into-new-products

ABC News
https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-north-pinellas/largo/largo-organization-turns-military-parachutes-into-gifts-profits-
help-support-disabled-veterans

Fran Haasch Law Group https://youtu.be/ld_igxsxb_E