Josh Rizzo has been selected to be the 2015 recipient of the Invisible Disabilities Association’s Invisible Heroes Award. Josh has been chosen based upon his positive impact on the lives of veterans as the founder of PTSD United. Josh’s great work as a veteran himself through PTSD United is helping people living with PTSD to connect, learn, heal, grow and inspire others.
Josh Rizzo co-founded PTSD United in 2013 as a need to help the large population suffering from PTSD on a daily basis. He currently serves as the Executive Director and a member of the Board.
PTSD United was established to bring the issues of post-traumatic stress into the light and aid in a greater conversation and understanding of how it affects all of us. Josh first saw the impact of PTSD within the veteran community and quickly realized the issues and stigma run much deeper into all communities and our country as a whole. It was with this vision that PTSD United developed its flagship program, huddl.org: the Anonymous Social Network for Trauma. huddl provides a safe support community for anyone to share their stories and connect with others going through similar experiences. It also serves as a stepping-stone for people to get additional help.
Josh graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2002 where he lettered on the varsity baseball team four years, served as team Captain, and was the recipient of the Doubleday Society Award for Leadership. Josh continued serving the military as an officer in the United States Army from 2002 to 2007. He achieved the rank of Captain, deploying to Iraq as a company commander in 2005 and 2006, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Josh also works for Werner Co. where he leads a national team of safety sales professionals. His responsibilities include managing major national accounts, and supervising the coordinated efforts of 15 regional sales agencies.
Josh currently resides in Carmel, California where he spends time creating, and connecting with members on huddl. He enjoys traveling, learning, hiking, photography, and spending time with his lovely wife and co-founder, Brittney Gamble and their dog, Bixby.
Josh’s award was presented at the 2015 Awards Gala on October 23rd, 2015.
Brain IDEAS Symposium Info 2016 Awards Gala Info