2022 General Meeting Keynote Speaker, Joe Torrillo

The National Board is excited to announce Joe Torrillo as the keynote speaker for the Opening Session of the 90th General Meeting on Monday, May 2, 2022, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Joe Torrillo is a retired lieutenant from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) who was buried alive twice on September 11, 2001. Crushed and bleeding beneath tons of rubble from the South Tower, Joe wondered what life could be if given just one more day. Miraculously, rescue workers found him, but he was barely breathing and suffered multiple fractures and a massive brain injury. Within 10 minutes of being rescued, Joe was buried again under the debris of the second collapse of the North Tower. He now travels the world sharing his amazing story of survival and lessons on managing fear under the most horrible situations. The lessons Joe learned on and after September 11 inspire others to thrive through change under any circumstance.