2013 CNN Hero of the Year
Chad Pregracke is living proof that an average person can make a big difference. He holds the title of 2013 CNN Hero of the Year. He is also the Founder & President of the internationally recognized not-for-profit organization, Living Lands & Waters. In addition, Chad gives numerous keynotes a year, sharing his stories with many of the world's largest corporations and most prestigious universities. His adventures and challenges translate to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, leaving them inspired to take action. Chad exemplifies how one person can make a difference in the world.
Growing up 30 feet away from the Mississippi River, Chad became very familiar with the majestic waterway. Spending up to 10 hours a day in the depths and current of the pitch black water, he worked as a Commercial Shell Diver during his teenage and college years. Over a six year period, he crawled 150 miles of the river bottom. He gained a new perspective on the river, looking at it from the bottom up. Chad was both marveled by the river's beauty and frustrated with its plight due to years of neglect. The river and its shores were littered with thousands of barrels, tires, cars, campers, plastic bottles, appliances, and much more.
At the age of 17, he set out on a mission to do something about the disregarded river. Since 1998, when Living Lands & Waters was established, almost 10 million pounds of garbage has been removed by Chad, his crew, and over 100,000 volunteers. They have held almost 1000 river clean-ups on 23 rivers in 20 states. Over one million trees have also been planted through the MillionTreesProject, started in 2007. Furthermore, thousands of students have been educated aboard his floating classroom on the barge he and his crew live on up to 9 months of the year. Chad is accomplishing his mission to clean up America's rivers and launched a social movement that engages people and betters the world in the process.
Chad's sense of humor, passion, and enthusiasm help carry the message that we can all make a difference by amplifying his story and entertaining his audiences. His vision and leadership have been recognized through countless awards and honors. A few include CNN's Hero of the Year Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service (America's version of the Nobel Prize), and being recognized at the Points of Light Tribute in front of all four living former U.S. Presidents. They even gave him a standing ovation for his inspirational message on dreaming big, taking action, persevering, leading, and collaborating. He was also named "America's Hardest Working Person" by a competition hosted by Mitchum. Chad's non-stop work ethic and determination have also been featured in major media outlets, such as CNN with recent airings on Mike Rowe's "Somebody's Gotta Do It" and "Rescuing The Rivers" with Anderson Cooper, the Discovery Channel, Time, People, NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, the Chicago Tribune, and Outdoor magazines. In addition, Chad authored a book about his journey titled "From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers", published by National Geographic in 2007.
Chad currently lives and works with his wife Tammy, dividing their time between life on the Teamwork Barge and their home in East Moline, IL.
2013 CNN Hero of the Year
Chad Pregracke is living proof that an average person can make a big difference. He holds the title of 2013 CNN Hero of the Year. He is also the Founder & President of the internationally recognized not-for-profit organization, Living Lands & Waters. In addition, Chad gives numerous keynotes a year, sharing his stories with many of the world's largest corporations and most prestigious universities. His adventures and challenges translate to audiences of all ages and backgrounds, leaving them inspired to take action. Chad exemplifies how one person can make a difference in the world.
Growing up 30 feet away from the Mississippi River, Chad became very familiar with the majestic waterway. Spending up to 10 hours a day in the depths and current of the pitch black water, he worked as a Commercial Shell Diver during his teenage and college years. Over a six year period, he crawled 150 miles of the river bottom. He gained a new perspective on the river, looking at it from the bottom up. Chad was both marveled by the river's beauty and frustrated with its plight due to years of neglect. The river and its shores were littered with thousands of barrels, tires, cars, campers, plastic bottles, appliances, and much more.
At the age of 17, he set out on a mission to do something about the disregarded river. Since 1998, when Living Lands & Waters was established, almost 10 million pounds of garbage has been removed by Chad, his crew, and over 100,000 volunteers. They have held almost 1000 river clean-ups on 23 rivers in 20 states. Over one million trees have also been planted through the MillionTreesProject, started in 2007. Furthermore, thousands of students have been educated aboard his floating classroom on the barge he and his crew live on up to 9 months of the year. Chad is accomplishing his mission to clean up America's rivers and launched a social movement that engages people and betters the world in the process.
Chad's sense of humor, passion, and enthusiasm help carry the message that we can all make a difference by amplifying his story and entertaining his audiences. His vision and leadership have been recognized through countless awards and honors. A few include CNN's Hero of the Year Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service (America's version of the Nobel Prize), and being recognized at the Points of Light Tribute in front of all four living former U.S. Presidents. They even gave him a standing ovation for his inspirational message on dreaming big, taking action, persevering, leading, and collaborating. He was also named "America's Hardest Working Person" by a competition hosted by Mitchum. Chad's non-stop work ethic and determination have also been featured in major media outlets, such as CNN with recent airings on Mike Rowe's "Somebody's Gotta Do It" and "Rescuing The Rivers" with Anderson Cooper, the Discovery Channel, Time, People, NBC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, the Chicago Tribune, and Outdoor magazines. In addition, Chad authored a book about his journey titled "From the Bottom Up: One Man's Crusade to Clean America's Rivers", published by National Geographic in 2007.
Chad currently lives and works with his wife Tammy, dividing their time between life on the Teamwork Barge and their home in East Moline, IL.
From the Bottom Up
Chad's unique presentation takes his audience on an adventure where they learn the value of hard work, perserverance, and big ideas while engaging in an interactive talk with Chad.
From the darkness of underwater shell diving to the brightness of a community river clean up, Chad's tale epitomizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, staying determined when the going gets touch, and creating a solid team dynamic even in the most difficult...
7 recommend Chad
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Anheuser-Busch InBev
On-Site
H.S., Senior Global Director, Anheuser-Busch InBev
Verified @anheuser-busch.com"Chad's story gets you moving and doing. To hear what one person has created and how he has impacted the world around him makes all things seem possible - especially when it comes from a down-to-earth straight shooter with a great sense of humor. When I hear Chad speak, I look around the room to see the reaction of others… and every person is on the edge of their seats listening to his story. I've rarely seen this happen with anyone else.
Texas A & M University - Kingsville
On-Site
L.P., Director of the Office of Campus Sustainability, Texas A & M University - Kingsville
Verified @tamuk.edu"With his generosity of spirit and upbeat humor, Chad Pregracke brought his passion for activism for nature and people to our campus as the final lecturer in the annual Texas A & M University Kingsville Presidential Lectureship Series, and as Keynote Speaker for Earth Day 2013. Over a three-day residency, his many interactions with students, faculty and staff have super-energized our campus sustainability program."
Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
On-Site
R.M.H., Sr. Vice President, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce
Verified @quadcitieschamber.com“Chad Pregracke is recognized as our “home town hero” in the Quad Cities. Our region’s CEOs, President, and business owners were inspired and moved by Chad’s presentation to our Executives Club. His delivery is passionate. His is a message of innovation, entrepreneurialism, perseverance, motivation, commitment and a strong moral conviction to cleanup America’s rivers, including own Mississippi. Chad’s energy is contagious, he had our Executives laughing and reminded that one person can make a difference.”
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
On-Site
J.W.P., Major General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Verified @usace.army.mil"Chad Pregracke represents what every citizen should aspire to be - somebody who sees something wrong, and just goes out and fixes it. A man of simple yet powerful vision, singular focus, and enormous ambition to improve the world, Chad is carving a positive legacy in ways that precious few of us could hope to achieve. Chad was kind enough to speak to our regional leaders this past summer, and he simply blew us away! Full of energetic enthusiasm for his cause, Chad's high energy delivery and candid humor made me wonder why he wasn't a stand-up comedian. Nobody can motivate and inspire others while generating so much laughter, as Chad Pregracke. Chad Pregracke sets an incredible example of passionate commitment to improve the world for the better. And we should all seek to emulate him in our lives, in some small way. The world would be infinitely improved."
National Association of Conservation Districts
On-Site
J.L., Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Conservation Districts
"I've had the pleasure of being in attendance for several of Chad's presentations over the last few years. In each of those presentations, I have witnessed, and been drawn into Chad's ability to make a personal connection to his audience. Chad's confident and engaging personality displays a level of commitment that makes the audience feel his passion and love for protecting and conserving our Nation's rivers and riparian areas. Chad uses several different media delivery techniques to keep his audience's attention. The pictures and stories translate well to the audience who can't help but trust his contagious and powerful message. His experiences are heartfelt and his ability to share his passionate, yet concise, message of protecting, rehabilitating, and conserving our rivers and streams keeps all participants focused on his message. I recommend Chad for all groups; his message is powerful and inspiring.
Center for Digital Government
On-Site
T.S., Executive Director, Center for Digital Government
"Chad Pregracke will readily tell you that changing the world is a team effort but his individual spark of dedication and commitment ha ignited a flame fueling the efforts of over 70,000 volunteers who now share his vision for cleaner and healthier waterways and public lands. His is the story of how one man, who without mandate, permission or government grants, developed down and dirty work of river cleanup fun and rewarding. With humor and sincerity, he shared his story with our group of state and local government officials, rekindling their dedication to public service and reminding them why they do what they do."
Atlanta Apartment Association
On-Site
S.C., Events Consultant, Atlanta Apartment Association
Verified @windstream.netChad is all you hoped for and so very much more! We were honored to have him speak and were mesmerized by his unique style. His vision, integrity, and delivery can reel in the audience and leave them feeling as if they sincerely want to know Chad on a personal level as well as help him on his mission. His enthusiasm is just outrageously contagious!
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