Our Team
Amanda Burns
Founder of Love Surrounds You™ Mental Health & Suicide Awareness Advocate
Amanda Burns is the heart and vision behind Love Surrounds You™, a movement dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and healing through community and connection.
After spending over two decades as a leader in senior living, Amanda left her career to fully dedicate herself to a cause deeply personal to her—honoring the memory of her sister, Kristen, who took her own life in 2019. Inspired by Kristen’s signature phrase, Love Surrounds You™, Amanda turned grief into action, creating a platform where individuals struggling with mental health challenges can find resources, support, and hope.
Amanda’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. As the wife of retired Special Operations Command Sergeant Major Chuck Burns, who served 14 tours overseas, she has a profound understanding of the mental health struggles veterans face. Together, Amanda and Chuck share a blended family of six children, giving them a deep personal connection to the importance of building a future where mental health is prioritized for generations to come.
Beyond being an advocate for mental health and suicide awareness, Amanda is also a certified yoga teacher, Reiki healer, and practitioner of sound healing, incorporating tools like crystal singing bowls and vibrational therapy. She integrates PandoraStar light therapy, infrared therapy, and shadow work into her approach to healing, helping individuals unlock deeper levels of self-awareness, emotional release, and energetic alignment. Through her holistic methods, Amanda bridges the gap between traditional mental health support and spiritual well-being, offering a transformative path for those seeking true healing.
She is also an entrepreneur who believes in living boldly. Amanda and Chuck co-founded FAST-N-SKETCHY®, a high-energy brand that embraces risk, adrenaline, and the thrill of pushing limits. They also created FAST-N-SEXY™, the feminine counterpart that celebrates confidence, power, and unapologetic self-expression.
Through Love Surrounds You™ and its flagship event, Ride Out of the Darkness™, Amanda brings together veterans, first responders, motorcycle enthusiasts, and mental health advocates to break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide. Her mission is to create a world where no one feels alone in their struggles and where healing is accessible to all.
Amanda believes in the power of movement—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Whether through national motorcycle rides, online mental health coaching, or immersive retreats, she is committed to providing tangible ways for people to heal, connect, and rise above the darkness.
Above all, Amanda is a force for change, ensuring that love, support, and awareness truly surround everyone who needs it.
Chuck Burns
Veteran Advocate & Founder of FAST-N-SKETCHY®
Chuck Burns is the Veteran Advocate for Love Surrounds You™ and the founder of FAST-N-SKETCHY®, bringing a lifetime of leadership, service, and firsthand experience in mental health struggles within the military community. A retired Special Operations Command Sergeant Major, Chuck dedicated 25 years to military service, completing 14 tours overseas and leading soldiers through some of the most intense combat environments.
Through his years of service, Chuck has witnessed the silent battles that many veterans face—the lingering effects of PTSD, survivor’s guilt, depression, and the emotional toll of war. He has personally experienced the weight of these struggles and has lost many fellow soldiers to suicide, fueling his mission to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the veteran community.
As a husband, father of six in a beautifully blended family, and a fierce advocate for mental health awareness, Chuck uses his platform to encourage open conversations about PTSD, trauma recovery, and the importance of seeking help. He is committed to ensuring that no veteran feels alone in their fight, working to create safe spaces for healing, support, and resilience.
In addition to his advocacy work, Chuck is the founder of FAST-N-SKETCHY®, a high-energy lifestyle brand that embodies the thrill of adventure, risk-taking, and pushing limits. FAST-N-SKETCHY® was built to reflect Chuck’s fearless mindset, drawing from his experiences in the military and motorcycle culture. It stands as a symbol of resilience, brotherhood, and living life with full intensity.
Chuck also operates B&B Wholesale Granite, a family-owned and operated custom stone business he runs alongside his father. Together, they specialize in high-quality granite, quartz, and stonework, bringing expert craftsmanship and a personal touch to every project. Chuck’s dedication to excellence in business reflects the same values he brings to his advocacy work—integrity, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving others.
Chuck is a proud member of the Infidels Motorcycle Club, a veteran-based motorcycle club consisting of active and retired military members who maintain the brotherhood they forged in service. The Infidels escort and block each year for Ride Out of the Darkness™. His fellow brothers ride from all around the US come to assist and escort riders “out of the darkness”. Through this club, Chuck continues to support and connect with fellow veterans, ensuring that the bonds formed in the military remain strong in civilian life.
Chuck plays a pivotal role in Ride Out of the Darkness™, helping to unite veterans and motorcycle riders in a movement that raises awareness and provides a sense of brotherhood for those struggling. His firsthand understanding of the challenges veterans face after service drives his passion for providing resources, community, and hope.
At Love Surrounds You™, Chuck is a guiding force, standing alongside his wife, Amanda Burns, in the mission to honor those lost, support those who struggle, and ensure that no one fights alone.
Check Out Fast-N-Sketchy's Facebook and Website: www.fastnsketchy.com
Phillip Herrington
Ride Out of Darkness™, Director of Operations
Phillip Herrington is one of many highly dedicated members of the Ride Out of Darkness™ Executive Board, working alongside others to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. His passion for this cause is deeply personal and rooted in both his faith and life experiences.
Phillip is happily married to his wife, Lindsey, and together they share the joy of raising their son, Parker. His family is the foundation of his life and ministry, shaping his deep sense of compassion for those who feel alone or without hope.
In 2021, after the passing of his father, Rusty Herrington, Phillip stepped into the role of Senior Pastor at The Revolution Church in Lakeland, FL. The church has long been committed to mental health awareness and suicide prevention, a mission that Phillip has continued to champion.
Beyond the church walls, Phillip serves as Chaplain of The Revolution Riders Motorcycle Ministry, where he and his brothers and sisters in Christ use their love of riding to bring hope to those struggling with mental health challenges, depression, and loss. Through this ministry, he became a part of the Ride Out of Darkness™, helping to shape it from its early days into a movement that continues to grow.
Having spent a decade as a pilot for Delta Air Lines, Phillip understands the importance of preparation, teamwork, and endurance in the face of adversity. But more than that, he understands that life is fragile—and that too many people suffer in silence, believing there is no way out.
Phillip firmly believes that Jesus calls us not only to make disciples but to minister to the least of these (Matthew 25:40). His heart beats for those who are struggling, and he is dedicated to ensuring that no one walks through the darkness alone.
The Ride Out of Darkness™ is not just an event—it is a mission. And Phillip is honored to be a part of a team that is fighting for hope, for life, and for the message that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love.
Janice Hicks
Ride Out of Darkness™, Executive Board Member
Janice Hicks is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who has dedicated her life to supporting her family and community. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Travis, for 33 years. Together, they have two wonderful daughters, Lindsey and Makenna, and a beloved grandson, Parker.
In 2019, Janice’s family suffered an unimaginable loss when her niece, Kristen Tenpenny, died by suicide. Determined to turn their grief into action, Janice and her family founded the Ride Out of Darkness™ in 2021, a ride and rally dedicated to raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health. Their mission soon expanded with the creation of the Love Surrounds You™, where Janice serves as an executive board member.
Through her work with the foundation, Janice is committed to breaking the silence surrounding mental health and suicide. She believes that open conversations and community support are vital in preventing tragedy. Her goal is to bring these issues to the forefront, encouraging people to check in on their loved ones and foster a culture of care and understanding.
Janice’s passion for helping others extends beyond her advocacy work. As a successful entrepreneur and experienced dog breeder, she strives to make a meaningful impact in every aspect of her life. Whether through her business or this foundation, Janice is dedicated to creating a future where no one feels alone in their struggles.
Rachael Strickland
Rachael Strickland is a passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, with a deep commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Married to her husband, Charlie, for 27 years, Rachael is a proud mother of two wonderful children, Tristan and Kaiya. As a family, they are united by a shared sense of love and support for one another, and this family bond has been at the heart of their advocacy work.
In 2019, Rachael’s life was profoundly changed when she witnessed her best friend’s family suffer the devastating loss of a loved one to suicide. This experience ignited her determination to raise awareness and support those affected by suicide and mental illness. In the same year, Rachael participated in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Walk, and in 2021, she joined the inaugural Ride Out of the Darkness™—an event dedicated to bringing together those impacted by suicide and mental health challenges.
In response to this tragedy and inspired by the desire to make a lasting difference, Rachael joined the family as they founded the Love Surrounds You™. The foundation works in tandem with the Ride Out of the Darkness™ Ride and Rally, aiming to create a compassionate, supportive community for those affected by suicide and mental illness. Through the foundation, Rachael is committed to spreading awareness, offering resources, and fostering a sense of connection and hope.
Since the foundation’s inception, Rachael has taken on leadership roles, including serving as Team Lead for raffles and, most recently, as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Ride Out of the Darkness™ event. Her work has been instrumental in creating opportunities for individuals and families to come together, share their stories, and provide support to one another.
Rachael’s passion for mental health advocacy continues to drive her as she works to ensure that love and support surround those who are struggling. Through the Love Surrounds You™, Rachael strives to provide a safe space for healing, connection, and hope, ensuring that no one has to face their challenges alone.
Team Lead & Volunteer Coordinator, Advocate for Mental Health Awareness
Angel Herrington
Ride Out of Darkness™, Executive Board Member
Faith, family, and a deep love for people have shaped my life and my calling. As an Executive Board Member of Love Surrounds You™, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention, I am honored to help lead Ride Out of Darkness™, a ride and rally that brings hope and support to those struggling with mental health challenges. My passion for this mission is deeply personal, rooted in both my faith and my own journey of loss, love, and service.
For over 30 years, I stood faithfully alongside my husband as we served in ministry together. In 2021, I lost him, but his passion for suicide awareness and prevention continues to fuel my own dedication to this cause. As the senior pastor of The Revolution Church in North Lakeland, he not only led with compassion but also founded a motorcycle ministry that became a driving force behind Ride Out of Darkness™. His vision and commitment inspired me then, and they continue to inspire me now as I work to ensure that no one has to walk through their darkest moments alone.
Beyond my ministry work, I have built a long-standing career in banking and finance. Since 1990, I have served in every facet of financial management, from maintaining the books for small businesses to overseeing multi-million-dollar enterprises. My expertise in finance allows me to contribute to Love Surrounds You in meaningful ways, ensuring that we can continue to grow and reach more people in need.
Above all else, my greatest joy is my family. I am a proud mother of six incredible children, all of whom have grown into wonderful members of society, and a grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren who bring immeasurable joy to my life. They are a constant reminder of why this mission matters—because every life is precious, and every person deserves to know they are loved, valued, and never alone. My faith compels me to stand in the gap for those struggling, offering them hope, encouragement, and the unwavering truth that they are surrounded by love.