Our Story
Realizing that police, fire, and military folks do not enjoy the many perks that are found in the private sector LeoAdventures was started as a public service appreciation program to thank those who serve our country. We recruit companies and ask them to give to the public service community by offering their products at professional courtesy prices. Not sale items but current products that you can use professionally and personally. Our mission isn’t to be known as an inexpensive shopping site, but to thank those who serve in a practical way with products that encourage a healthy lifestyle.
We understand that public servants operate under a code of ethics that prevents them from accepting gifts or gratuities. A yearly fee of $25.00 and our asking companies for discounts eliminates any question of ethics.
We would like to thank the families of public service employees as we recognize that their service is a sacrifice that is made by all.
Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
THE NAME
The inspiration behind the LeoAdventures name was from Leslie’s son who was reading about the Spartan King Leonidas. Leo is short for Leonidas, a King of Sparta who had died at the battle of Thermopylae. Leonidas was sent to delay two million Persians who were on their way to capture Athens. After several days of fighting, Leonidas learned that his army had been betrayed and was soon to be surrounded. Leonidas sent most of his army back to Sparta. With just a few hundred warriors, some say three hundred, Leonidas and his men fought the Persian army in the narrow pass. All of the Spartans died in the battle but Athens was evacuated and Greece rose up to fight another day. The Greeks eventually defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis. Leonidas is an ideal personification of service and self-sacrifice.
Adventures was chosen because we recognize that every day in the service of your country is an adventure.
WE ARE LEOADVENTURES
WE THANK AND PROTECT THOSE WHO SERVE
Leslie, Founder & CEO
Like many, Leslie’s life has been heavily impacted by the military. Her dad was a career Army officer and she grew up moving from base to base within the U.S. and overseas.
Her first husband was a Marine pilot who was tragically killed in active duty just after the birth of their son. Later on, Leslie married a former Marine who now is working in federal law enforcement.
She came up with the idea of LeoAdvenures in 2004, advocating to companies to offer premium brands at courtesy pricing for those who serve their country. It was a way for her to give back to the community that has been a part of her entire life.
Cole, Director of Strategy
Cole was young when his mother, Leslie, founded LeoAdventures. He grew up being a part of it and can remember watching his mom work countless nights and weekends to get this program started.
When he was in high school, Cole would travel to the trade show Outdoor Retailer to meet with potential partner brands. Cole would help these companies by pushing them towards ecommerce and social media influencing as a way of helping their business grow.
Cole currently works in finance at ExxonMobil and volunteers for LeoAdventures providing the financial modeling that keeps the business on track.
He loves giving back to the community at LeoAdventures and hearing the stories of the members. Many public servants can’t spend as much time with their families as they would like. When LeoAdventures helps these members get gear in their hands and help provide an opportunity for families to come together to make memories, it makes it worth it.
Jack, Digital Marketing Manager
Jack comes from a family with a long line of military service. Raised in the Pacific Northwest, he spent every summer and fall in Montana. He would follow his father and grandfather as they searched for trout, elk, and whitetail deer. Living on Colorado’s Front Range, Jack remains an avid fly-fisherman and hunter.
Jack works with LeoAdventures because he loves helping those who serve get outdoors with great gear.
He helps with our business development and creates content for our blog that will help you get outdoors with tips, tricks, and accounts of adventure.
Robynn, Partner Marketing Manager
Robynn’s connection to public service is through her husband, who serves in the Air Force.
After moving to the United States with her family from South Africa, most of their trips were in Colorado where they camped, hiked, skied, and snowshoed.
Robynn’s love for spending time in nature and staying active through sports, exercise, and outdoor recreation is one of the reasons she was drawn to work with LeoAdventures.
She loves having the opportunity to work with like-minded people where everyone shares a love of the outdoors and also has a personal connection to public service. She loves helping public servants get outdoors with gear they got at a great price.
Tammy, Member Verification
Tammy’s connection to public service is through her husband, who is a former Naval officer.
Her hobbies include exercising, reading, walking her dog, and spending quality time with family.
Tammy works as our membership verification expert where she helps each of our members get approved so they can get discounts and get outdoors.