Georgia Spa Company Names Joey Gryzenia as Hot Tub for a Hero Recipient

Georgia Spa Company announced retired Senior Chief Dennis “Joey” Gryzenia, United States Coast Guard, of Blue Ridge, Georgia, as the recipient of its annual Hot Tub for a Hero award, presented through the company’s Gives Back program.

Each year, the Hot Tub for a Hero initiative honors someone whose life exemplifies extraordinary service, sacrifice and continued commitment to others. After reviewing hundreds of nominations — more than any previous year — Georgia Spa Company’s Gives Back committee selected Gryzenia for his distinguished military career, resilient leadership and ongoing dedication to serving others long after his retirement from the Coast Guard.

“While only one Hot Tub for a Hero is awarded each year, we are truly thankful for all who have served our country and for the families and friends who shared their stories with us,” says Josh Kemerling, CEO of Georgia Spa Company. “We are honored to congratulate Senior Chief Joey Gryzenia as the latest recipient and to recognize a lifetime of service, leadership and continued impact.”

Gryzenia served 23 years in the Coast Guard, retiring in 2020 as a senior chief aviation survival technician, one of the service’s elite helicopter rescue swimmers. Over the course of his career, he participated in some of the Coast Guard’s most challenging search-and-rescue missions, including operations in Kodiak, Alaska, and response efforts following Hurricane Katrina. He is credited with saving more than 50 lives.

“Joey’s leadership and professionalism left a lasting impact on me and on countless others who had the privilege of serving with him,” says Brian Kirkendall, a fellow Coast Guard rescue swimmer and the person who nominated Gryzenia. “The standard he set continues to influence the rescue swimmer community to this day.”

In 2013, Gryzenia sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle accident that permanently ended his flying career. Despite this setback, he continued to serve and lead, advancing to senior chief and mentoring rescue swimmers across the fleet.

“Even when his injuries ended his flying career, Joey never stopped leading,” Kirkendall adds. “He showed all of us what it truly means to lead from the front through adversity, not around it.”

Following his retirement, Gryzenia founded Strongholds Sign Art, creating hand-crafted memorial and retirement shadow boxes honoring military service members, often providing these pieces at no cost to grieving families. He also established the Rescue Swimmer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting active-duty and veteran rescue swimmers and their families. Since its founding, the organization has raised more than $60,000 and has hosted community-building events, including DECERT 2022: Reuniting Heroes, which brought rescue swimmers together from across the country.

Launched in 2018, the Georgia Spa Gives Back program supports charitable organizations and causes throughout the community and now provides over $100,000 annually in contributions. Hot Tub for a Hero is made possible through partnerships with Hot Spring Spas, Gravitt Electric and Spain & Sons Construction.

For more information, visit georgiaspacompany.com.