Joe Grassi has over 15 years of experience in policy, program management, and strategic planning for veteran advocacy organizations. He has held several leadership roles with The American Legion, including Division Director and Deputy Director, where he oversaw strategic planning, policy evaluation, and administration. Prior to that, Grassi served as an Army Sergeant in aviation logistics and was deployed to Afghanistan. He has a bachelor's degree in English and received honors including recognition from President Obama for his service to veterans.

1. Joe Grassi
Cell: (703) 216-4418 E-mail: josephpgrassi@gmail.com
Objective
Experienced professionalseeks a career in policy and strategic planning, program management and program analysis
where strong leadership ability, writing skills, veteran understanding, and military knowledge can be utilized to
enhance veteran programs.
Professional Experience
The American Legion National Headquarters Division Director
1608 K Street NW June 2015 – January 2016
Washington, DC 40+ Hours/week
Supervisor: Mike Schlee (2010-2016)
301-204-2341
Leadership
 Supervised continuous support and analysis of military and transition support issues
 Directed policy evaluation and implementation of positions in these fields while providing staff support
 Oversaw preparation of testimony
 Ensured the administrative management and financial functioning of the division
 Prepared and coordinated divisional strategic goals and well as organizational goals
The American Legion National Headquarters Deputy Director
National Security & Foreign Relations Division December 2007 – June 2015
1608 K Street NW 40+ Hours/week
Washington, DC
Supervisor: Phil Riley (2007-2010)
904-718-9608
Management and Program Analysis
 Served as the primary liaison to the Defense Department and State Department as well as liaison to the White
House; personally recognized by President Barack Obama during national event for service to Veterans and
their families
 Took lead in drafting correspondence to Congress; developed responses to broad range of inquires
 Provided lectures, PowerPoint presentations and speeches; represented organization during governmental
coordination efforts and meetings; advised leadership and staff on operational procedures
 Produced written studies and talking points; prepared reports, studies and briefings for senior executives
 Conducted research and analysis on national security, national interests and foreign affairs; performed
evaluations of team operations
 Interpreted regulations to achieve strategic goals; managed daily operations of division office
 Trained internal staff; assisted in performing personnelactivities for the office; coordinated office operations
and resolves issues with individual and multiple offices; analyzed processes for improving effectiveness
 Established national security and foreign relations programs for the organization’s respective commissions
 Directed programs for the national convention, national executive committee conferences and annual
Washington conference; developed and recommended changes in program objectives, methods of operations
and areas of emphasis
 Interpreted regulations to achieve strategic goals; managed daily operations of division office
 Developed new policies and procedures for office
 Acted as spokesperson and handled media interviews; regularly represented supervisor with Department
officials such as the Secretary of Defense
 Managed worldwide logistics for Operation Comfort Warriors Program and Heroes to Hometowns Program
 Wrote speeches for division director and national commander

2.  Supported volunteer organization lead events; provided advice and recommendations to the organization’s
top-tier leadership
 Planned national commander’s business itinerary for international military-installation visits
 Attended and contributed to brainstorming sessions within the organization and with fellow veteran service
organizations and high-profile think tanks
The American Legion National Headquarters National Claims Representative
Board of Veterans Appeals May 2006 – December 2007
811 Vermont Ave. NW 40+ Hours/week
Washington, DC
Supervisor: Jeff Steele
202-230-1695
Veterans Advocacy
 Obtained benefits for disabled veterans by presenting oral and written statements to the Board of Veterans
Appeals, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
 Conducted research on veterans benefits, healthcare and military history
 Advised veterans on courses of action in addition to answering questions regarding benefits and procedure
United States Army Sergeant, Aviation Logistics
3rd Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry April 2002 – April 2006
25th Infantry Division 50 - 80+ Hours/week
Wheeler Army Airfield, HI & Honorable Discharge
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Supervisor: CW4 Mike Schmittle
909-809-0510
National Defense
 Completed aviation technical supply mission by maintaining over $26 million worth of aircraft components
during Afghanistan deployment
 Increased efficiency and budgetary savings by managing the procurement, issuing, tracking, receiving and
accounting of the unit’s big-ticket items, including on-board computers, weapons systems and Rolls-Royce
high-performance engines
 Led a cohesive supply teamby training and mentoring a soldiers in both garrison and hostile environments
Cygnus Business Media Associate Editor
Business to Business Publishing December 1999 - March 2002
Printing News 40+ Hours/week
3 Huntington Quadrangle - Ste. 301N
Melville, NY
Supervisor: Jean-Marie Hershey
540-297-3556 / jmh@writehandcom.com
Business Journalism
 Produced weekly trade magazine by writing lead news and feature stories in addition to leading the
editorial and production team
Computer Associates Public Relations Staff Writer
Public Relations Division December 1998 - December 1999
One CA Plaza 40+ Hours/week
Islandia, NY
Strategic Communications
 Created opportunities for press coverage by developing, writing and editing corporate press releases
North Shore News Group Staff Reporter

3. The Huntington News April 1998 – December 1998
1 Brooksite Dr. 40+ Hours/week
Smithtown, NY 11787
Feature Writing
 Assembled The Hunting News weekly newspaper in highly deadline-driven environment by writing over
six feature articles every week covering local news on topics such as government, business and
environmental concerns among many otherissues
Bruce Kennedy, P.C. Paralegal
31 Greene Ave. March 1996 – April 1998
Amityville, NY 40+ Hours/week
Supervisor: Bruce Kennedy, Esq.
631-691-0100 / bkennedypc@aol.com
Client Relations
 Increased office productivity by drafting real estate contracts,mortgage and zoning applications, in addition
to interviewing clients and brokers.
Education
Bachelor of Arts State University of New York at Stony Brook
Major: English
Graduation date: August 1995
Primary Leadership Development U.S. Army Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
Oahu, Hawaii
Graduation date: November 2002
National Appeals Representative Course National Veterans Law Services Program
Washington, DC
Graduation date: 2006
Honors and Awards
 Personally recognized by the President of the United States on August 26, 2014 for military service and
serving veterans
 Army Commendation Medal
 Army Achievement Medal
 Afghanistan Campaign Medal
 Global War on Terrorism Medal
 National Defense Medal
 Army Good Conduct Medal
 Army Overseas Ribbon
 Army Service Ribbon
 Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon
 U.S. Cavalry Order of the Spur Award (2003); U.S. Cavalry Order of the Combat Spur Award (2005)
 American Legion Team Recognition Award (2006); American Legion Teamwork Award (2010)
 Operation Comfort Warriors Recognition Award (2011)
 Marine Corps Marathon Competitor and Finisher (2013)