An Inspired Chat with Mark Casper of Richmond, VA

Mark Casper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Mark, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Easy answer! Integrity is the most important out of these three. Why? Simply put, I trust a man or woman with integrity (honesty) over intelligence or energy. I’m a firm believer that your word is your bond and any “breakage” in your word better have a doggone good reason for that break. Life and all its tribulations happen but a person who keeps their word stands head and shoulders above others.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, readers! I’m Mark Casper, President of Tech For Troops. My journey and our organization’s mission are fundamentally about empowering those who served. We exist to solve a critical problem: bridging the digital divide that prevents many Veterans from finding stability and opportunity in civilian life.

What makes us special is our comprehensive approach. We take donated, used technology, responsibly refurbish it, and provide it alongside vital IT workforce training and certification to Veterans and their families who need it most. We’re not just handing out laptops; we’re supplying the tools and skills necessary for a career and long-term success.

But the program I’m most passionate about right now is Game Corps, “Aiming For Zero” Veteran Suicide Prevention. This initiative uses the power of technology and community specifically, gaming to create a safe space for Veterans to connect with peers, combat isolation, and address the silent epidemic of Veteran suicide. Leveraging the camaraderie and shared experience of gaming has proven to be a lifesaving tool, and we’re working tirelessly to scale its reach nationwide.

Our goal is simple: to ensure every Veteran can thrive in the digital age.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Thank the Lord, I met my wife/soulmate decades ago! She knew what I had in me long before I did. Through my trials and tribulations, she propped me up, stood beside me and is my earthly rock! I call her best friend and soulmate.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely there have been many times I wanted to give up. The pandemic wasn’t easy on Tech For Troops. The financial donations almost dried up, employees were scared, and IT equipment stopped coming in. The one lesson I can point to during this time is patience. By listening, learning and waiting to make major decisions helped us persevere and grow. The first year of the shutdown was tough, tough, tough! But Year 2 and 3 while the world was upside down, we grew both in equipment, donations and space, adding almost 2,000 sq ft to accommodate the donations!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Tech For Troops is 100% committed to our Game Corps “Aiming For Zero” Veteran Suicide Prevention program. Game Corps is a dynamic, inclusive community built for Veterans, Active Duty Service Members, and their supporters. Powered by Tech for Troops, this mission is to equip military personnel for the challenges of today and tomorrow through the unifying power of gaming, therefore, bringing down the number of those who take their own lives to ZERO. We believe one is one too many.
This project is transformational not just because it impacts Veteran suicide, but because it restores identity and connection. When Veterans feel seen and supported especially in spaces that reflect their lived experiences they begin to thrive.
Using Twitch and Discord, our community connects through real-time chats, livestreamed events, and daily support interactions.
To date, 28 lives have been impacted/saved; Veterans who found hope, purpose, and healing through and in Game Corps.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I don’t think in terms of a legacy for myself at Tech For Troops. There’s personal legacy (family) and Mission legacy – I focus on the Mission legacy. Creating sustainable careers, saving lives and supporting families of the military community is what I hope to leave when I retire or pass from this world. Someone will take the reins and provide additional successes after I’m gone – that is a proud legacy I pray someone else can build on.

There is the family legacy which, personally, is the most important – being married for decades, being a dad and grandfather is soul satisfying and a legacy that I believe my parents and my wife’s parents would be proud of.

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