The Tony Snow Award

The Tony Snow Award is designed to recognize a citizen in corporate America, the media, and/or the public eye who by their actions has made a significant difference in the lives of injured servicemen and women – and who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) and its mission.

This year’s award will be presented to Gary Chartrand.

As Executive Chairman and former CEO of Acosta Sales & Marketing, Gary Chartrand has been instrumental in raising awareness for WWP and our nation’s wounded. Specifically, Gary worked to re-engage the American public in celebrating the accomplishments of our veterans and honoring their sacrifices through the creation of the Believe in Heroes™ initiative. Originally established by Gary and Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, Believe in Heroes is an important new addition to WWP’s initiatives to support our nation’s veterans.

Under Gary’s and Acosta’s leadership, the initiative raised over $200,000 to support WWP in 2010 and gifted the Believe in Heroes moniker to WWP. Established as an effort to rally Americans to Put the Veteran Back in Veterans Day™, Believe in Heroes became a signature campaign of WWP in 2011 and raised $3.5 million to support our nation’s wounded servicemen and women. The 2012 campaign is underway.

The two-month initiative running from 9-11 to 11-11 creates opportunities for both the American people and corporate America to support our veterans through appreciation events, fundraising initiatives, point-of-purchase proceeds, and other opportunities. The success of this initiative would not have been possible without Mr. Chartrand’s passionate support and leadership. Gary also supports WWP in his personal time through a myriad of events, often inviting wounded service members and their families into his home.

Gary became Executive Chairman in January 2009. He has been the pivotal force behind quadrupling the company's geographic coverage, transforming Acosta into a leading full-service sales and marketing company in the U.S. and Canada. Chartrand joined Acosta in 1983 as a Business Manager and subsequently was promoted to Vice President, Regional Vice President of Florida, President, and in 1996, President/Chief Executive Officer.

Of his efforts and dedication to WWP, Gary has said, “It is my pleasure to offer my strongest endorsement of the Wounded Warrior Project. WWP exhibits unparalleled passion and dedication in its efforts to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. It is my honor to support such a worthy cause.”