Rob Vicci

ROBERT F. VICCI, LTC (Retired)

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Robert F. Vicci is a Veteran of thirty-four (34) years of Service, both Active Duty and the NJ Army National Guard, in the United States Army, and a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom 3. He is a vocal advocate for our returning service members, military veterans and their families, and as the CEO of VetREST he assists those who have served.

Rob was commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1981 as an Infantry Officer and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Rob, AKA “Veech” was also a four-year Army Football player and starting fullback for the Black Knights. Rob attended Rotary Wing training in Ft. Rucker, Alabama and was an Honor Graduate in late 1982. LTC Vicci attended many levels of military education including Air Assault School, Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Army Aviation Rotary Wing School, Army Aviation Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Army Strategic Planning & Management Program, UH-60 Blackhawk Aircraft Qualification Course and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

LTC Vicci served in positions from Air Cavalry Troop Commander in Savannah, Ga, through General Support Aviation Battalion Commander, 42 nd Infantry Division G3 Air in Tikrit, Iraq, and retired as the New Jersey Army National Guard G3 Chief, responsible for NG State Training and Mobilizations. After six years of Active-Duty Service, he joined the NJ Army National Guard as a part-time soldier and ran the family general contracting business. In November of 2002, Rob took command of the 1-150th General Support Aviation Battalion, with sixteen UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, and 300 soldiers. In May of 2004, LTC Vicci was activated for a deployment to Iraq. The battalion deployed in November 2004, and LTC Vicci, AKA VANDAL 6, then took the helm of managing all the Division’s aviation assets as the G-3 Air, including 80 aircraft, for the one-year deployment. Veech logged over 25 air combat missions. Four years after returning from the deployment, LTC Vicci retired from military service on 31 May 2009.

On the civilian side, Veech is the owner of Blackhawk NJ Real Estate and Property Management, consulting in all areas of Commercial and Residential Real Estate, and a Real Estate Broker in 7 states. Rob was most recently a Senior Engineer at Verizon in the Power, Space & Cooling Engineering Department out of Basking Ridge, NJ. Rob has managed nationwide commercial real estate portfolios for Transwestern, CenterPoint, Trammel Crow Company, American Express, SL Green, Mack-Cali, and he managed the top 30 floors of the Empire State Building. Rob is currently the Owner of Blackhawk NJ Real Estate and Property Management, LLC managing projects, property management and both resident and commercial real estate deals. He is also a
Broker/Salesperson and holds seven (7) state licenses, practicing mostly in NJ and NY for The Agency. Rob holds Certificates of RPA (Real Property Administrator) and LEED Green Associate and currently maintains his FAA Pilots License and continues to fly small airplanes.

Most notably, Rob accepted the CEO position of VetREST in mid-2016, whose mission is to facilitate Restoration, Encouragement, Solace, and Training for our nation’s veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) by helping them identify the cause of their PTS in an environment where our signature program can promote healing.

Rob is blessed to have this opportunity to pursue his passion of helping our Veteran Community.

Awards and decorations include the Bronze Star for service during his tour of duty in Iraq, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Senior Army Aviator.

Rob is very happily married to Nanette Berard-Vicci, owner of Nanette’s Hair Salon, and they enjoy traveling and visiting with their five grandchildren.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Vicci is a dynamic and highly engaging speaker who draws from his remarkable 34-year career in the U.S. Army. A West Point graduate, he shares captivating stories from his time as an Army aviator, with a particular focus on his combat tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom III (November 11,
2004 – November 11, 2005).
Known for his infectious energy, LTC Vicci captivates audiences by incorporating short, powerful videos into his presentation. He skillfully evokes a full range of emotions as he recounts diverse experiences—from the rewarding New Horizons humanitarian mission in Panama in 2002, to sobering aircraft mishaps, to intense
encounters with Al Qaeda forces during OIF 3.
He also highlights the impactful work of VetREST, an organization that has supported Veterans and their families dealing with PTSD for the past 13 years, showcasing real stories of resilience and recovery.
Prepare for an exhilarating and interactive hour filled with compelling tales of triumph and challenge, heartfelt successes and candid lessons learned—guaranteed to leave every audience member inspired and involved.

A short list of engagements:
Gold Star Mothers, National Convention Gold Star Mothers, New Jersey
M&M Mars Leadership Conference Wyndham Hotels and Vacation Leadership Team
Felician University: Veteran’s Day Met Life Leadership Conf: Servant Leadership
Quiet Birdmen, NJ Hanger (2 Events) Experimental Aircraft Association
Federal Business Centers Speaker Courage & Sacrifice Charity Event Speaker
At Ease Foundation – Guest Speaker and M/C Henry Snyder Memorial Foundation Speaker
Rock & Blues Festival Speaker (2 events) Project Help Guest Speaker
Additional Events:
Monthly Guest Host on NJ 101.1 Radio Guest Host Animal House Radio, Armed Forces Net
Built a home for Tunnel to Towers, NJ Honoree for the New York Yankees
Honoree for the NJ Nets Honoree for the NCAA Football Game of the Week
Interviews/Meetings with Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Dana Perrino, David Webb, Liz Wheeler, etc.
Many Eagle Scout, Boy Scout, Grammer, Middle and High School Presentations
Host, M/C and guest speaker at many VetREST charity and fundraiser events

CARPE DIEM – GOD BLESS AMERICA