Executive Advisory Board

Michael Flammang spent four years in the United States Marine Corps, where he completed two combat deployments in Afghanistan. Upon his Honorable Discharge from service, he pursued a B.S. degree in Criminology from the University of Missouri, Saint Louis. After completing his degree, Michael went back overseas as a Private Military Contractor working for the Department of Defense. He spent almost a decade in near constant rotation through various combat zones across the Middle East and Africa.

Michael now shares his unique security perspectives with GFR to ensure GFR teams can provide aid and complete their missions without putting themselves in undue danger. He has participated in multiple GFR missions, taking on organizational and construction tasks to ensure medical personnel can focus on their specialized expertise.

Dr. Sarath Gangisetty is a Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgeon, specializing in trauma, facial aesthetics, dental implants, oral pathologies, and complex jaw surgeries.  He is the founder of the SmileGuard Initiative, a transformative initiative dedicated to making dental care accessible and affordable for all age groups. Focused on the principle that prevention is better than cure, Dr.Gangisetty emphasizes the importance of proactive dental hygiene and regular check-ups. Through community outreach programs, dental health camps, and educational workshops, the initiative aims to enhance oral health awareness and empower individuals with the knowledge to maintain their smiles. Committed to fostering a culture of preventive care, SmileGuard strives to ensure that quality dental services are within reach for everyone.

Dr. Gangisetty lives and works in Hyderabad, India.  In addition to his dental surgery practice and his focus on providing free dental care through dental camps, Dr. Gangisetty is currently working to establish the first Oral Cancer Screening Program in India and was recently honored with the Bharat Visionary Award in 2024.  Dr. Gangisetty also volunteers with Global First Responder and recently completed a camp in Puttaparthi, India where, as a solo dentist, he completed 30+ extractions and 20+ restorations, in addition to creating a positive experience with dentistry for more than 100 patients in remote villages, most of whom had never seen a dentist. Oral cancer screenings were completely and documented for all appropriate patients.

Suzie Lee is life-long educator and long-time medical team volunteer and team leader.

Suzie joined GFR in 2021 and led the Zambia team in 2022.  She has led medical teams for the last 12 years around the globe and she loves seeing her teams excel and gel while in the field.

Suzie has been a public and charter school educator for more than 25 years, certified in both general and special education. She joined GFR because of our focus on community sustainability.  With her expertise in adult and child education, Suzie focuses her efforts at GFR on building our community health education program.

In joining the board, Suzie stated that having the opportunity to dedicate a GFR water treatment facility in Zambia was one of the most impactful days of her life.  She wants to continue to help GFR move forward in sustainability while serving as a board member.

Suzie lives in in Hawaii with her husband, dog, and cat.  In addition to a career as a full time teacher, she also runs an Air BnB that she literally built from the ground up.  Her husband, Scott, is an acupuncturist and has served on many medical trips, where his work is always in high demand.

Dr. Joseph D. Rich is an Optometrist and owner of Family Focus Eyecare and Retuva Medical Spa, specializing in comprehensive vision care, ocular disease management, contact lens fittings, and surgical co-management. A Warrensburg, Missouri native, Dr. Rich earned his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Since 2012, he has lived and practiced in Columbia, Missouri, where he has established a reputation for delivering personalized and innovative care.

Through Family Focus Eyecare, Dr. Rich is dedicated to improving patients’ vision and long-term eye health using the latest diagnostic technology and treatments. At Retuva Medical Spa, he has expanded his scope to integrate medical aesthetics, dry eye, and wellness services, reflecting his passion for helping patients not only see better, but also look and feel their best.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Rich is actively engaged in community outreach and professional development, with a strong focus on preventive care and patient education. He and his team emphasize a culture of compassionate service, making advanced care accessible in mid-Missouri.

Dr. Rich lives in Columbia with his wife, Kara, and their three dogs. Together, they enjoy traveling, outdoor adventures, and contributing to local organizations that support health and wellness.

Dr. Adam Beckett is a Board Certified physician in Emergency Medicine and has been in active practice at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia since completing his residency at Resurrection Hospital in Chicago in 2006. He is a 1995 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BS degree in biology.

Following his undergraduate studies he spent 4 years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry platoon commander in the First Marine Division. He was honorably discharged in 1999 and then attended medical school at the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

Today he continues to work at the University of Missouri Hospital and at Truman Veterans Administration Hospital also located in Columbia. In 2011 Dr. Beckett organized Global First Responder LLC and personally funded all of its operations until 2014 when he founded Global First Responder Foundation (GFR) as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt and all volunteer non-profit organization. GFR focuses its operations on providing medical and community infrastructure development missions across the globe.

Donna Beckett is Dr. Adam Beckett’s mother. She is a 1969 graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Education. She raised 4 sons, all of whom served in the Marine Corps.

She has worked in the airline, travel and clothing sales businesses and in 1992 she founded a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization, Assistance League of Mid-Missouri (ALMM). ALMM has grown into a successful philanthropic NGO with 315 members. ALMM is operated entirely by volunteers and has provided millions of dollars in assistance to schools, women and children in central Missouri.