Meet Paul Marretti, The Newest Member of the Best Buddies Advisory Board in Richmond, VA

Paul Marretti is a life-long advocate, Richmond connector, and friend to all. Paul joins the Best Buddies Advisory Board in Richmond, Virginia with over four decades of experience working in the disability community and numerous accolades.

Paul is a part of the Best Buddies Citizens program in Richmond. He and his buddy Becky both went to Lloyd C Bird High School in the late 90s. They would say hello in the hall, but it wasn’t until years later when Becky and Paul were matched in the Citizens program that their friendship blossomed. “Paul and I have become such good friends,” Becky shared.

Paul has gotten to know Becky’s children, Reese and Rex, and says, “they now consider me like a big brother. It makes me feel great and confident being part of their family.”

Paul and Becky served as Champion partners for the 2024 Best Buddies Champion of the Year campaign and were proud to represent Richmond at the Homecoming: Two Parties One Purpose Gala. Paul also spoke at the inaugural 2024 Best Buddies Friendship Walk in Richmond, Virginia where he shared his story and hope for the future.

“If there was a Best Buddies chapter when Becky and I were in high school, our friendship would have been stronger from the beginning,” Paul said.

Paul is excited to join the Best Buddies Richmond Advisory Board to grow Best Buddies programs in Richmond so that more people can create friendships like his and Becky’s. “I wanted to join the board to get more involved in the community.”

Paul has an impressive 25-year career at Kroger and earned Kroger’s Regional Customer Service Award. Paul is also a decorated Special Olympics Athlete, speaker and advocate. Highlights include serving as a Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger from 2002 to 2004, addressing a crowd of 75,000 at the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland, serving on the Special Olympics Virginia Board of Directors and earning the Virginia H. Foster Award in 2004.

Visit the Game Changers website for a more detailed biography of Paul’s Special Olympics Career.

“I am interested in recruiting new members and doing more community engagement,” Paul shared. With his background and incredible network, Paul is sure to make a huge difference!