Marlan Cannon was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and raised in Opelika, Alabama. He grew up in the church as a member of the praise and worship team, and eventually acquired his first job working with intellectually-disabled individuals. A veteran of the US Air Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom, he soon realized that he wanted to work with people that were experiencing challenges in their lives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology and a master’s degree in Practical Theology. Throughout his professional career and volunteer work he has worked with the homeless, disabled, elderly, at-risk youth, mentally ill, veterans, those struggling with sobriety, and victims of domestic violence. He is currently a social worker working with inmates as they are reentering the community. He is an active member of Restoration Christian Fellowship in Norfolk, Virginia. He currently resides with his family in Virginia Beach, Virginia.