Marnie's Bio

Marnie is a devoted wife and mother as well as a principal of her own residential design firm. She attended Auburn University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture. She lives in Orlando, Fla., with her husband Michael and their children, Marilyn, 8, and Tommy, 5.

Marnie is involved with the Flower Ministry, Women’s Ministry Council and HIV/Aids Ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.

Marnie’s passion for helping others who are experiencing difficult circumstances was inspired by her own unexpected trial. In 2005, her husband Michael was reactivated into the Army as a captain. This unexpected shock was later trumped when her beloved husband was wounded one month into combat. She worked hard at balancing her career and being a single parent with two small children, while her husband returned and fought on the front lines in Afghanistan. During this difficult period, Marnie discovered just how vital faith, prayer and community really are. She hopes to share that knowledge.

Michael's Bio

Michael Waldrop is the president and CEO of Blue Cord Design and Construction, L.L.C., a design-build, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business based in Orlando. For 18 months, Michael served as a Captain in the U.S. Army and an embedded trainer of an infantry company of the Afghanistan National Army.

Michael was called back to active duty out of the Inactive Ready Reserves in 2005 to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom. Along with three other non-commissioned officers, Waldrop commanded an Afghanistan National Army Rifle Company comprising of 60 foreign soldiers. He commanded his men in all major combat operations during the summer and fall of 2006 and into the spring of 2007. The major operations they fought in were Operations Mountain Thrust, Medussa, Archer and Achilles. He was wounded in July of 2006 during the Battle of Panjwai and awarded the Purple Heart. For actions the day before he was wounded in this battle, Waldrop was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor which is the fourth highest combat award given by the Army for valor. He has subsequently been submitted for an Army Commendation Medal for Valor during another battle which is the fifth highest military decoration of Valor.

Community Organizations

• Advisory Board Member of the Central Florida Salvation Army
• Orange County Industrial Development Authority Board of Director and Vice Chairman
• West Orange Chamber of Commerce Board of Director
• Member of the City of Orlando Veterans Council
• Life Member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars
• Life Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
• A LEED Accredited and Licensed General Contractor for the State of Florida