Leadership

Ed Brandt is a seasoned leader. He has served churches ranging in size from 50 to 2200 members on the east coast and the west coast located in rural, urban, and suburban settings.  Ed served as Solo Pastor and Head of Staff, Executive Pastor, and Interim for Preaching.  During his career, Ed led six capital campaigns as churches he served needed more space and improved facilities.  In 1989 while serving as an installed pastor, he joined the Army National Guard and served over 31 years.  He retired 2020 at the rank of Brigadier General as Chief Chaplain, National Guard Bureau, and US Army Deputy Chief of Chaplains, ARNG. In those dual roles, Ed served as National Guard liaison to the US Army Chief of Chaplains, and directed pastoral care, policy, resources, and training for over 1200 National Guard Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants serving 450,000 Guard Service Members.  He deployed to Iraq and received the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service.

Experienced

Ed was tapped to serve as a Director on the Board of Pensions, Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1994 which was then a $9 Billion Dollar Retirement and Healthcare fund for employees of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  In addition, he served as Parliamentarian for seven annual General Assembly meetings throughout the continental United States.  Ed also served  six years as Stated Clerk for Donegal Presbytery, Chair of Committee on Ministry, a member on the Executive Presbyter Search Committee, and he served on several Administrative Commissions dealing with churches seeking to leave the denomination, inappropriate clergy behavior, and church conflict.  Ed served as a Trustee for Lancaster Theological Seminary, on the Board of  One More Day (a nationwide suicide prevention effort), and the Collier County Veterans Council.  He currently serves on the  Board of Governors for the University of Findlay, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains Board, Thanks USA, and serves on numerous community organizations to include Rotary, VFW, and American Legion.  He was recently elected to the Collier Mosquito Control District, Seat 3, in Collier County, Florida.  He was named Alumni of the Year by the University of Findlay in 2018 and is a recipient of a Humanitarian Award from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.

Well Versed

Ed is in high demand as a speaker and was the featured speaker for the annual  Sunrise Easter Service at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. He was the Commencement Speaker for the University of Findlay, Keynote Speaker for a Chaplain and First Responder Conference hosted by the Latter-Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Keynote Speaker for the Collier County Memorial Day Ceremony, and the MC for the National Guard Bureau Gala, Washington, D.C.    Each event featured more than 1000 people in attendance.  Ed is in high demand as a speaker both nationally and internationally, having delivered remarks at multiple military events around the country, and having spoken in Jordan, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Germany, Djibouti, Guam, and even delivered a message via Zoom to Soldiers and Spouses located on a military base in South Korea.

Education

Ed is a graduate of the University of Findlay (BA), Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div), Lancaster Theological Seminary (D.Min.), and US Army War College (in residence) (MSS).  He also completed several courses towards and MBA at Goldey-Beacom College.

Personal

He is married to the former Jane Stewart, is the father of three children, and together they spoil three granddaughters.  They reside in Naples, Florida and enjoy being involved in the Naples Community and making a difference where they can!