Blake Hall
The Wounded Warrior Project is the most visible and profitable veterans charity in the United States, but scandal left the charity on unsteady ground. Now a retired general with a proven record of leadership is taking over the reins to restore the community’s trust in the organization.
Meet retired Maj. Gen. Charles Fletcher, the Wounded Warrior Project’s interim chief operating officer. He was chosen by WWP’s board to replace COO and WWP founder Al Giordano and CEO Steve Nardizzi. The two executives were ousted from their positions after CBS News published several articles accusing them of frivolous spending. Among the most memorable anecdotes was the time Nardizzi rappelled down a hotel building at an employee conference.
Despite WWP audits challenging CBS’ accusations, the organization’s image was shattered.
Fletcher hopes to change that.
The retired general has deep roots in the military and a personal connection to the plight of wounded warriors.
“I spent 40 years in uniform,” he said to the Florida-Times Union. “I come from an Army family. My father was wounded in World War II. My grandfather was wounded in World War I. I’ve had a Fletcher in every war that this country has fought.”
WWP relied on donors to fund its programs, but recent news coverage has thrown the charity’s ability to handle donor money into doubt. Since taking his new position on April 11, Fletcher has dedicated himself to completing a “bottom up” review of the organization’s spending.
“There’s no issue with them as to who we are, what we do, and how important it is,” he said. “But I think rightfully the donor community, when you read those [news] reports, you say, ‘Well, I have an option and is this the option I should choose?’ That means we have to ensure that we deserve their trust and confidence and that we’ve earned it.”
The break between WWP and its former leaders wasn’t clean. Nardizzi and Giordana continue to publish op-eds in their defense. Nardizzi’s successor as CEO has not been chosen.