Joe Grossi, Veteran Business Advocate - South

As a veteran business advocate for NaVOBA, Joe Grossi is responsible for convincing corporate America to “Buy Veteran.”   Veterans can rest assured they have an advocate capable of articulating the "Veteran Business Advantage" to corporate buyers across America.  Joe is a passionate force and a respected thought leader in the veteran business movement, having convinced many Fortune 500 firms to incorporate veterans into their supplier diversity programs.

Joe retired from the Navy in 2005 after a distinguished 21-year career serving as a senior aviation warfare systems operator achieving over 3,000 rotary wing flight hours.  Joe honed his sales and marketing skills while serving as the recruiter-in-charge of Navy Recruiting Station Flagstaff and Prescott, Arizona office from 1999-2001. During that time, he achieved multiple individual and station awards for recruiting achievement and success.  During Joe’s final tour in the Navy, he served as a Third & Fifth Fleet Task Group watch officer during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

Joe's unbreakable optimistic passion was a trademark of his service in uniform, which included multiple overseas deployments to places including Diego Garcia, Oman, Bahrain and Afghanistan. Joe's military awards include two Navy Commendation Medal, four Navy Achievement Medals and various other campaign and service awards including the Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals. In 1996, Joe was awarded the coveted Naval Helicopter Association’s (NHA) National Aircrewman of the Year Award for leadership, aviation skills and acumen.  He retired at the rank of chief petty officer.

Upon leaving the Navy and before joining NaVOBA, Joe served as an account executive for Jostens Corp. in northwestern Ohio responsible for over 52 school districts.  In this role, he interacted with students, parents and faculty in the scholastic (K-12) division of Jostens USA performing countless public speaking appearances, motivating students and delivering a high-impact message of academic achievement.

Joe holds an AS from Grossmont College in San Diego.