Wounded Warrior Project CEO Steven Nardizzi and COO Al Giordano were both fired last week by the organization’s board of directors after suspicions of overspending the charity’s funds were confirmed.
Board Chairman Anthony Odierno will head the newly created office of the CEO while the board seeks new leadership. Odierno is an Iraq War combat veteran who was wounded in action.
The Wounded Warrior Project is a nonprofit that was founded in 2003 to support veterans who suffered physical and/or mental injuries following Sept. 11. John Melia, who sustained serious injuries from a helicopter crash while serving in Somalia in 1992, founded the organization with the help of family and friends in Roanoke, Virginia. It started with preparing backpacks containing toiletries, t-shirts, socks and other basic necessities for injured veterans at hospitals. Today, over a decade later, the charity continues this backpack initiative, as well as many other benefit programs.
