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Valley Forward's 42nd annual lunch marks
day of remembrance for 9-11 tragedy 10 years later
 The highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse and the last fireman to escape the devastation, Richard "Pitch" Picciotto was on a stairwell between the sixth and seventh floors of the North Tower when it collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001. An FDNY battalion commander, his is the harrowing true story of an American hero, a man who thought nothing of himself and gave nearly everything for others during one of our nation's darkest hours.
Picciotto is coming to Phoenix to speak at Valley Forward Association’s 42nd Annual Lunch on Dec. 9, 2011, and will provide an outspoken account of that indelible day.
His inspirational presentation will address:
- How to lead effectively and achieve optimal teamwork to help organizations achieve their goals;
- The training, preparedness, risk management and decision-making know-how necessary to tackle any problem; and
- How hope and positivity can emerge out of tragedy and adversity.
 Picciotto's book, Last Man Down, is a tribute to the 343 firefighters and 2,400 civilians who lay dead in the rubble that surrounded him on that day. Moreover, it is a heartfelt remembrance of a day of infamy and profound humanity. The book was an immediate New York Times bestseller upon its release in May 2002. He will personally autograph copies of his book for luncheon attendees.
Valley Forward’s Annual Lunch will celebrate the organization’s history of environmental stewardship, recognizing its accomplishments and facilitating the election of its Board of Directors. Leadership Awards will be presented to those who have made significant contributions to the organization and founding members of Valley Forward will be commemorated. This signature event typically draws upwards of 500 community leaders.
Other renowned speakers who have been featured at Valley Forward's Annual Luncheon programs include:
- Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer and author
- Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and activist for children in nature
- Jamie Clarke, adventurist and author
- Jared Diamond, Pulitzer Prize winning author, scientist and professor
- Larry Winget, a Pitbull of professional development and best-selling author
- Erin Brockovich, an environmentalist whose life was featured in a movie
- Jeff Corwin, Animal Planet
- Bob Beckel and Cal Thomas, duo authors of the syndicated USA Today column, Common Ground
- David Breashears, mountaineer and IMAX film producer
- Bruce Babbitt, former Secretary of the Interior and Arizona Governor
- Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African-American female astronaut
- Robert Kennedy, Jr., attorney and Riverkeeper
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