Paul Rieckhoff

Paul Rieckhoff is the founder and former chief executive officer and executive director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the first and largest organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in the United States. Rieckhoff was among the first responders to the attack on the World Trade Center on September 11. He served as an Army first lieutenant and infantry rifle platoon leader in Iraq. Recognized as an authority on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and on issues affecting troops, veterans, and their families, Rieckhoff has appeared on numerous television and radio programs addressing military affairs, veterans advocacy, and national security. He is also the founder and president of Righteous Media, a new media company for independent Americans.

Rieckhoff has received the Common Ground Celebrating Home Award and the Lewis Cullman Civic Engagement Award from GenerationEngage. He is the author of the book "Chasing Ghosts" and has contributed to Huffington Post, Fortune, and The New York Times. After leading Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America for 15 years, Rieckhoff founded Righteous Media, where he serves as president and hosts the podcast "Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff," which features prominent guests and has reached more than 2 million downloads. He has produced several documentary films and served as a creative consultant for Vice TV’s "While the Rest of Us Die." Rieckhoff continues to provide commentary on military and veterans issues, testifies before Congress, and teaches as the Karl Lowenstein Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at Amherst College.