[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools…

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and your host, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:35] **Dallas:**
Welcome back to *In the Loop with LPS*. Hard to believe we’re nearing mid-November and Thanksgiving break is right around the corner.

We recently held our Salute to Veterans Breakfast at Discovery Middle School — and one of our honored guests joins us today: **Brandon Thrasher**, Assistant Director of Transportation for Liberty Public Schools.

Brandon, thank you for being with us, and thank you for your service.

[00:01:57] **Brandon Thrasher:**
Absolutely. I’m happy to be here. The breakfast was amazing — professionally run and truly honoring all veterans.

---

## **JOINING LPS**

[00:02:28] **Dallas:**
You joined us in early September. How has the experience been so far?

[00:02:41] **Brandon:**
In a word — **family**.
The Liberty Public Schools system, the administrators, the teachers — everyone has been amazing to work with. They help you grow and learn every day.

---

## **BACKGROUND & EARLY YEARS**

[00:03:03] **Dallas:**
Let’s go back in time. Tell us about your childhood and where you grew up.

[00:03:37] **Brandon:**
I was born in Virginia, right outside D.C. My father served in Vietnam and later worked for IBM. After a few years, our family moved back to **Upstate New York**, where I spent the next decade — typical small-town upbringing, very similar to this part of Missouri.

I went to the University of Albany and, after graduating, prepared to join the military.

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## **MILITARY INFLUENCES**

[00:04:46] **Dallas:**
Was your father’s service the key influence in your decision?

[00:04:46] **Brandon:**
Yes — but it goes back even further. My family has served dating back to the **Civil War**.
World War II… Vietnam… nearly every generation served.

The call to service was always there.

---

## **JOINING THE U.S. ARMY & 9/11**

[00:05:58] **Dallas:**
Tell us about your military career.

[00:05:58] **Brandon:**
After college, I planned to pursue graduate school — but I needed financial support and felt the call to serve. I joined the United States Army, initially planning to stay four years.

I quickly became restless and wanted more responsibility, so I applied for Officer Candidate School.

### **I began OCS on September 9, 2001.**

Two days later, we were on an obstacle course when we heard the news.

At first, we thought it was part of training — a motivational tactic. But when we returned and saw live footage…
Everything changed.

Friends lived in New York City. Others near the Pentagon.
It became instantly clear: **We were going to war.**

---

## **DEPLOYMENT TO IRAQ**

[00:09:23] **Dallas:**
How long until you deployed?

[00:09:30] **Brandon:**
By summer 2002, I was assigned to Fort Bragg.
By early 2003, we were deployed to Kuwait.

The ground invasion — **Operation Iraqi Freedom** — began in March/April 2003.
Everything moved fast.

---

## **WHAT WAR TEACHES YOU**

[00:10:42] **Dallas:**
What was the biggest lesson you learned from being in a war zone?

[00:10:42] **Brandon:**
**Preparation.**

Preparing yourself.
Preparing your team.
Understanding your role in the larger mission.

Everything relies on preparation at every level — from platoon to battalion to brigade.

---

## **LEADERSHIP ROLES**

[00:11:29] **Dallas:**
You clearly had natural leadership ability. How did your role progress?

[00:11:48] **Brandon:**
Operation Iraqi Freedom was my first real test.

I served as:

* **Platoon Leader**
* **Company Commander**
* **Battalion Executive Officer**

And continued all the way through **24 years of service**, retiring in 2022.
I served at every level — platoon to major Army commands — with multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

---

## **TRANSITION TO MISSOURI**

[00:13:28] **Dallas:**
After the military, what brought you here?

[00:13:28] **Brandon:**
My final assignment was at the **Command and General Staff College** at Fort Leavenworth, where I served as a senior instructor for about five years.

My family and I fell in love with Missouri — we settled in Platte City, and this became home.

I considered retiring in 2020, but COVID delayed that decision. Eventually we decided to stay here permanently.

---

## **ADVICE FOR STUDENTS CONSIDERING MILITARY SERVICE**

[00:15:06] **Dallas:**
What advice would you give young people thinking about joining the military?

[00:15:06] **Brandon:**

* **Talk to all branches** — find your fit.
* **Seek out veterans** and ask questions.
* **Have honest conversations** with your family.
* Understand the commitment — including potential sacrifice.

Choose the branch that fits **your personality, strengths, and values**.

---

## **MENTORS**

[00:16:13] **Dallas:**
Who were your mentors?

[00:16:13] **Brandon:**
Many — but one stands out:

**Colonel P. Gibson**, my final supervisor at Fort Leavenworth.
His communication, leadership, and ability to develop people were unmatched.

Even late in my career, he made an enormous impact. We still talk often.

---

## **THE FLAG & A SYMBOL OF SERVICE**

[00:17:38] **Dallas:**
Any symbolic moments stick with you from your service?

[00:17:48] **Brandon:**
Yes — on my first deployment, I carried a brand-new American flag everywhere I went.

It reminded me what we were fighting for — values, sacrifice, and home.
To this day, I can’t look at the flag without feeling its weight and beauty.

---

## **IMPORTANCE OF VETERANS DAY TRADITIONS**

[00:18:57] **Dallas:**
Why are Veterans Day traditions important?

[00:18:57] **Brandon:**
They allow veterans — especially the Greatest Generation — to feel seen and appreciated.

I attend every event I can. And I try to thank every veteran I meet.
These traditions matter.

---

## **JOINING LPS TRANSPORTATION**

[00:20:02] **Dallas:**
How did you end up in this role with LPS?

[00:20:44] **Brandon:**
After retiring, I wasn’t actively looking — but I kept an eye out for leadership positions.

I saw this role posted, researched it, and felt the challenge fit my strengths.
Never thought I’d get the interview, let alone the job.

But I’m grateful — it’s been an incredible fit.

---

## **WHAT HE’S LEARNED ABOUT SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION**

[00:22:10] **Dallas:**
What’s surprised you most about transportation?

[00:22:10] **Brandon:**
**The complexity of routing.**

Routing is a logistical masterpiece — accounting for:

* 18 schools
* 5 different start/end times
* Opt-in ridership
* Driver schedules
* Student needs
* Efficiency & safety

The preparation required each summer is enormous — and the team executes it flawlessly *every day*.

---

## **WE ARE ALWAYS HIRING DRIVERS**

[00:27:22] **Dallas:**
Here’s your chance — talk to people who may consider driving for us.

[00:27:36] **Brandon:**
Absolutely.

### Why Join LPS Transportation?

* Paid training from day one
* We help you earn your CDL
* Excellent pay and benefits
* Flexible schedules — mornings, afternoons, or both
* OT opportunities
* A true **family** atmosphere
* Incredible coworkers who support one another

If you care about kids and want meaningful work, we want you on our team.

---

## **LEADERSHIP STYLE**

[00:23:53] **Dallas:**
How would you describe your leadership style?

[00:24:05] **Brandon:**
**Authentic.**

Growing up, we idolized action heroes — but real leadership is being yourself.

My principles:

* Lead from the front
* Be authentic
* Never ask someone to do something I haven’t done myself
* Stand with my team from start to finish

What you see is what you get.

---

## **CLOSING**

[00:29:13] **Dallas:**
Brandon, this has been outstanding. Thank you for sharing your story and — most importantly — for your service.

[00:29:38] **Brandon:**
Thank you. I truly enjoyed this. First podcast I’ve ever done — hope I did okay!

[00:30:28] **Dallas:**
You knocked it out of the park.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone — and thanks for listening to *In the Loop with LPS*.

[00:31:01] **Announcer:**
For more about LPS, visit lps53.org.