FED Global Thought Leadership 2016

War, Love & Leadership


Army Colonel Joe Ricciardi’s experiences over three combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq led him to ask, “Does love influence leadership?” His follow-up research has shown that the three factors of love – intimacy, passion and commitment – display a strong positive correlation to leadership. In this presentation, hear about the ways each three can have a long-lasting impact on the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of company teams willing to go beyond the status quo.

Joe Ricciardi, PhD, Vice President of Operations, Supply and Equipment Foodservice Alliance (SEFA)

Joe has an undergraduate degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an M.B.A. from Purdue University, a Masters in Strategic Studies from The United States Army War College and a PhD from Benedictine University in Values Driven Leadership.

Joe is a decorated Army Veteran who has served more than 26 years both in the reserves and on active duty. He has deployed twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq, most recently leading an 1,100-soldier task force responsible for finding and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in southern Afghanistan. Joe’s military awards include three Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, The Army and Navy Commendation Medals and the Combat Action Badge. He is a graduate of both the Airborne and Air Assault schools. His current Army Reserve assignment is Commander, 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Ft Shafter Flats, Hawaii.

Joe resides in Valparaiso, Ind., where he is married to his best friend Kelly and has two children Giuseppe (15) and Giavanna (12). He is the vice president of operations at SEFA, a nationwide network of leading restaurant supply and equipment dealers and manufacturers. Joe has extensive experience in supply chain management, marketing analytics and sales management.