Scotty Smiley
Keynote Speaker: First Blind Active Duty Officer in Military History & Author of "Hope Unseen"
-
Travels From:
-
Speaking Fee:
-
Categories:
Scotty Smiley Biography
Scotty Smiley is from from Pasco, a small city in Washington State. After high school he attended the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. After four great years, he graduated and moved to Fort Benning, Georgia and attended Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School. Soon after he moved to Fort Lewis, Washington where he led a 45 man Platoon.
In 2005 while leading his Platoon in Mosul, Iraq, Smiley found himself in front of a suicide car bomb. After the man blew himself up, shrapnel blew through Smiley’s eyes leaving him blinded and temporarily paralyzed, he woke up in Walter Reed Army Medical Center a week later. Though questioning his faith, Smiley made a decision to forgive and rebuild his life and continue to serve in the Army, becoming the first blind active-duty officer in military history.
The Army Times named Smiley “Soldier of the Year” in 2007 and in 2008 he won an ESPY as the world’s Best Outdoor Athlete. After receiving a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, Smiley taught the core course in leadership at West Point and then commanded the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point’s Keller Army Medical Center. Smiley is a recipient of the Army’s prestigious MacArthur Leadership Award and holds an honorary PhD from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY. In 2010, Smiley received a Father of the Year award in New York and in 2011 received the Christopher Award for all he has given and continues to give.
Since then, Smiley attended the Maneuver Captain Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia, and then moved to Spokane, Washington where he held a position with the Gonzaga University ROTC Department, teaching and mentoring America’s future leaders.
After many years of service, Smiley retired from the military in 2015. Over his military career, Smiley received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart; Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Wings, and Combat Diver Qualification Badge.
He currently works with the capital markets department at Drexel Hamilton out of New York as an investment banker for corporations and banks around the world. With a passion for using his story to build hope in this world, Smiley authored "Hope Unseen" in 2010 and now travels all over the country speaking and sharing his message of perseverance, courage and hope. He is an avid adventurer and has completed the Coeur d’Alene Iron Man, climbed Mt Rainer, gone skydiving, surfing and is always looking for his next chance to try something new.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Scotty Smiley and other top speakers and celebrities.
Scotty Smiley Speaking Topics
The definition of hope is “to expect with confidence,” but what do you do when you’ve lost confidence in everything? When you’ve watched your dreams go up in smoke and when you start to question the God you’ve built your life around? As Scotty Smiley lay in his hospital bed in Washington, D.C. after being severely wounded by a suicide bomber while serving in Iraq, he was drowning in despair. All his plans about returning home to his beautiful wife, starting a family and building a career in the military seemed completely dead, and he began to wonder if death would’ve been a better ending to his story. Slowly God showed Smiley that His current plan was far better than the one he’d had for himself. He taught Smiley to expect with confidence that God was working and that He was good. Smiley was able to go on to become the first blind active duty officer in the Army, write a book, have three beautiful sons and pursue adventures all over the world. In his encouraging and inspiring presentation he will tell his incredible story of faith, hope and the love that saw him through.
Scotty Smiley found himself helpless, blind and barely alive when he woke up in Walter Reed Medical Center after getting his eyes blown up by a suicide car bomber while serving in Iraq. He was once an accomplished graduate of West Point, and a leader in the Army, and he now found himself completely dependent on his wife, medical team and those around him to do even the simplest tasks. Smiley learned quickly that if he wanted to get his life back, he would need to work with other people and support other people. Through the power of teamwork, he has been able to continue as an officer in the Army, write a book, become an investment banker, climb mountains, go surfing and complete an IronMan. In his speech, he will highlight how teamwork is the key to not only getting further in life and accomplishing our goals, but also living a happier life. Audiences will be inspired to work with and support those around them, regardless of the obstacles.
As a West Point graduate, Scotty Smiley had nothing but the highest expectations for himself and his military career. He had a new wife and was quickly establishing himself in the Army as a strong leader. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 when all those dreams went completely black. A suicide bomber decided to blow himself up 50 yards in front of Smiley, severely injuring and blinding him for the rest of his life. He fought through depression, hopelessness and tragedy to become the first blind active duty officer in the military, an author, veteran advocate, IronMan and avid adventurer. In his inspiring and honest presentation, he will move audiences with his incredible story of triumph and hope for overcoming even life’s cruelest tragedies and obstacles.
Scotty Smiley Videos
How to book Scotty Smiley?
Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Scotty Smiley for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Scotty Smiley, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Scotty Smiley or any other celebrity of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Scotty Smiley?
Booking fees for Scotty Smiley, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Scotty Smiley, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
Who is the agent for Scotty Smiley?
All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Scotty Smiley for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Scotty Smiley for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service talent booking agency?
All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Scotty Smiley or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Scotty Smiley or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
Scotty Smiley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Motivational, Inspirational and Personal Growth. The estimated speaking fee range to book Scotty Smiley for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Scotty Smiley generally travels from Spokane, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jason Redman, J.R. Martinez and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Scotty Smiley for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Scotty Smiley Speaking Topics
-
Hope Unseen
The definition of hope is “to expect with confidence,” but what do you do when you’ve lost confidence in everything? When you’ve watched your dreams go up in smoke and when you start to question the God you’ve built your life around? As Scotty Smiley lay in his hospital bed in Washington, D.C. after being severely wounded by a suicide bomber while serving in Iraq, he was drowning in despair. All his plans about returning home to his beautiful wife, starting a family and building a career in the military seemed completely dead, and he began to wonder if death would’ve been a better ending to his story. Slowly God showed Smiley that His current plan was far better than the one he’d had for himself. He taught Smiley to expect with confidence that God was working and that He was good. Smiley was able to go on to become the first blind active duty officer in the Army, write a book, have three beautiful sons and pursue adventures all over the world. In his encouraging and inspiring presentation he will tell his incredible story of faith, hope and the love that saw him through.
-
Power of Teamwork
Scotty Smiley found himself helpless, blind and barely alive when he woke up in Walter Reed Medical Center after getting his eyes blown up by a suicide car bomber while serving in Iraq. He was once an accomplished graduate of West Point, and a leader in the Army, and he now found himself completely dependent on his wife, medical team and those around him to do even the simplest tasks. Smiley learned quickly that if he wanted to get his life back, he would need to work with other people and support other people. Through the power of teamwork, he has been able to continue as an officer in the Army, write a book, become an investment banker, climb mountains, go surfing and complete an IronMan. In his speech, he will highlight how teamwork is the key to not only getting further in life and accomplishing our goals, but also living a happier life. Audiences will be inspired to work with and support those around them, regardless of the obstacles.
-
Thriving and Overcoming the Most Extreme Obstacles
As a West Point graduate, Scotty Smiley had nothing but the highest expectations for himself and his military career. He had a new wife and was quickly establishing himself in the Army as a strong leader. He deployed to Iraq in 2005 when all those dreams went completely black. A suicide bomber decided to blow himself up 50 yards in front of Smiley, severely injuring and blinding him for the rest of his life. He fought through depression, hopelessness and tragedy to become the first blind active duty officer in the military, an author, veteran advocate, IronMan and avid adventurer. In his inspiring and honest presentation, he will move audiences with his incredible story of triumph and hope for overcoming even life’s cruelest tragedies and obstacles.
VIDEO
Scotty Smiley Videos
FAQ
How to book Scotty Smiley?
Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Scotty Smiley for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Scotty Smiley, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Scotty Smiley or any other celebrity of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Scotty Smiley?
Booking fees for Scotty Smiley, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Scotty Smiley, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
Who is the agent for Scotty Smiley?
All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Scotty Smiley for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Scotty Smiley for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service talent booking agency?
All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Scotty Smiley or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Scotty Smiley or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
Scotty Smiley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Motivational, Inspirational and Personal Growth. The estimated speaking fee range to book Scotty Smiley for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Scotty Smiley generally travels from Spokane, WA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jason Redman, J.R. Martinez and Rocky Bleier. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Scotty Smiley for an upcoming event.
BOOK SCOTTY SMILEY
We are happy to assist you with your interest in booking a speaker or celebrity for your event, your organization, and the type of talent you would like to secure, and an agent will be in touch shortly.
Fill out the form below to or call us at 1-800-698-2536 if need immediate assistance.
We respond to most inquiries within 4 hours. Under special circumstances, it may take up to 24 hours.
We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.
Gauge Interest and check availability for appearances, speaking engagements, or corporate events.
Provide you with speaking fee to book Scotty Smiley or other celebrity appearance fees
Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities
Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process
What Our Clients Say About Us
I cannot say enough positive things about AAE Speakers Bureau. They were prompt in their responses, and were incredibly helpful with all of my questions and concerns. Their role in the planning process allowed for a smooth and successful event. It truly felt like they were invested in the event and wanted the best outcome for our organization.
- C. Gross, Target
We want to thank you for all your efforts to ensure the speaker's visit to Facebook was a success. Everything you did, all the communication and coordination you shared with us, led to an event that will no doubt be remembered by attendees for the rest of their lives. We are enormously grateful he was able to share his story with us.
- M. Piro, Facebook
The event was a strong success, and we are getting rave reviews from individuals all throughout the organization. Thank you for your support with booking and coordinating the speakers. You were very professional, customer service focused, and execution oriented. We appreciate your approach and look forward to the potential opportunity to work with AAE Speakers Bureau again.
- A. Yiadom, Pfizer
I have worked with many agencies to book guest speakers over the past 5 years. My experience with AAE has been the best. The website, search facilitation software, and speaker briefs were great. The follow-up and support from the sales agent and logistics manager were excellent. We will no doubt be in touch next year.
- K. Sanders, Coca Cola HBC
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your agency's incredible support in arranging for this event. I can say that our enthusiasm - which was already high - has now gone through the roof. The team at AAE has been essential in the process and are now heroes in our office.
- R. Douglas, University of Virginia
This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.
All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.
