Vitale used his own life-lessons to demonstrate for readers that they can fulfill their dreams through perseverance in tough times and learning from mistakes in “Forge Ahead: The Blueprint to Creating a Winning Strategy in Business, Life, and Wrestling.”
In fact, a part of his journey begins on a wrestling mat while he was in high school. Vitale’s father had died when he was 10, and Vitale’s work ethic developed as he obtained jobs to help support his family. In high school, he honed that work ethic through wrestling, the sport that taught him discipline, dedication and determination. The foundation he built as a young man stood him in good stead as he attended Valley Forge Military Academy and College and then served in the U.S. Army and West Virginia Army National Guard, where he earned the rank of Captain.
“Attending West Virginia University was a dream come true,” Vitale said. “Neither of my parents graduated high school, and I wasn’t sure if college was in my future. After enlisting in the U.S. Army, I was able to attend WVU on the G.I. Bill. I picked West Virginia University because my grandparents were native West Virginians, and I always loved my time in the Mountain State.
After his graduation from WVU, he worked in senior leadership roles managing human relations and operations at financial, healthcare and technology firms in North Central West Virginia. His business strategy, management and government contracting firm, Forge, has offices in Morgantown and Pittsburgh.
“In life, I’ve failed more than I succeeded, but I also know that each time I have felt like I was about to get pinned, I had the fortitude to get to my feet,” Vitale said. The fortitude helped him reach his goals, one of which was to write a book by the time he was 50. He’d barely reached that milestone when the book was published.
He wrote the book for his son, Max, and daughters, Izzy and Cece, so that when life tells them “no” they will have the tools and wisdom to get back up, try again and keep going.
“It has always been a personal goal to author a book, and I am very proud that ‘Forge Ahead’ has been named a best seller,” Vitale said. “This book combines many of the lessons I have learned through my life and career as an athlete, soldier and entrepreneur. I am especially honored that West Virginia University Wrestling Coach and Hall of Famer Tim Flynn wrote the book’s foreword.”
Vitale remains committed to WVU, giving back his time as well as being a donor and supporter of Mountaineer athletics. He has been an adjunct professor for the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry and the John C. Chambers College of Business and Economics.
