Brad Snyder

Brad Snyder is a two-time Paralympian and seven-time medalist, with five gold and two silver medals in swimming. The St. Petersburg, Florida native attended the United States Naval Academy, where he earned his B.S. in Naval Architecture and captained the swim team for two years before serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He began his professional career as an ensign before earning the assignment of an explosive ordnance disposal officer. While on his second deployment in Afghanistan, Snyder stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) that left him completely blind. He returned to the pool during rehabilitation and a year to the date of his accident, won gold at the Paralympic Games London 2012. He competed in seven events, earning two gold medals and one silver. Four years later, he won four more medals – three gold and one silver – at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

In 2013, Snyder medically retired from naval service. He continues to be active in the military community as a board member for the Navy Special Operations Foundation which assists service-members and their families. Additionally, he teaches two undergraduate courses in leadership and ethics at the U.S. Naval Academy and formerly worked as a Special Veteran Adviser for the COMMIT Foundation, a non-profit organization assisting veterans in transition.