Scotty & Tiffany Smiley

Captain Scotty Smiley is a U.S. Army veteran recognized as the first blind active-duty officer in military history. Smiley graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. While leading his platoon in Mosul, Iraq, he was injured by a suicide car bomb, resulting in blindness and temporary paralysis. He recovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, supported by his wife, Tiffany Smiley, who advocated for his continued service.

Smiley overcame significant challenges to continue his military career, becoming an author, veteran advocate, Ironman competitor, and adventurer. He received honors including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, and Combat Diver Qualification Badge. Smiley earned a Master of Business Administration from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, taught military leadership at West Point, and led the Warrior Transition Unit at Keller Army Medical Center, becoming the first blind officer to lead a company. He was named Soldier of the Year by Army Times and received an ESPY Award as Best Outdoor Athlete. Smiley is also a recipient of the MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary doctorate from Mount Saint Mary College.

After retiring from the military, Smiley worked in capital markets at Drexel Hamilton as an investment banker. He has participated in endurance sports, including Ironman competitions, and outdoor activities such as surfing, skydiving, and climbing Denali. Smiley authored the book "Hope Unseen," detailing his experiences with overcoming adversity and resilience. He is a frequent guest on news networks including NBC, CBS, and Fox, sharing insights on leadership, perseverance, and disability advocacy.

Tiffany Smiley has played a key role in their shared journey, co-founding Hope Unseen to inspire others. She speaks and writes about finding strength through adversity, addressing audiences at organizations such as Walmart Leadership Academy and Duke University, and appearing on Fox News and the Katie Couric Show. Together, Scotty and Tiffany Smiley highlight themes of resilience, leadership, and hope in their work with veterans, corporate audiences, and the broader community.