Outstanding American Galli means business

By Doug Gulasy
Tribune-Review
In his role as the chief executive officer of Techtronic Industries, the largest power tool company in North America, Joseph Galli Jr. oversees the hiring of hundreds of new employees each year. He makes sure members of one particular demographic — former wrestlers — at least get an interview.

The former Valley and North Carolina wrestling star doesn't just have a soft spot in his heart for the sport.

“I do it not because I give wrestlers any philanthropic support they don't deserve. I do it because wrestlers work hard, aGalli, Joseph_Action for websitend I find that they have the ability to deal with issues and problems and make good employees,” said Galli, whose company employs 32 former Division I wrestlers, including seven NCAA champions and three Olympians.

“Not all of them do … but what I've learned is if you can find the right wrestlers, they can move mountains.”

Galli would know. Since his wrestling days, Galli held high-ranking positions at several major global companies, crediting the lessons he learned from wrestling for his success.Galli, Joseph_Forbes Cover for website

His wrestling career came back into the spotlight this month when he was received the Outstanding American award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum in a ceremony in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

“I was shocked. I was honored, flattered,” said Galli, 58, who graduated from Valley in 1976 and North Carolina in 1980. “It's a very moving, very emotional honor. I've been fortunate in my life. I've worked very hard and achieved a lot of the goals I set out to achieve. But that's a tough one: It's hard to say I'm going to get in the Hall of Fame.

“When they called and said I was selected, I was just moved. Usually, I have something to say, but that was probably the first time in my life where I was literally speechless.”

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