Bill Petrosky is the founder and executive director of Rods 4 Recovery, a nonprofit organization built from his own journey through addiction, recovery, serious illness, and a second chance at life.
After years of struggling with alcohol addiction, Bill entered treatment in 2023 and began rebuilding his life in recovery. His journey was complicated by advanced liver disease and stage III liver cancer, ultimately leading to a life-saving liver transplant on November 29, 2024. Bill views both his recovery and transplant as second chances that came with a new purpose: helping others discover that life in recovery can become something greater than they ever imagined.
That purpose led to the creation of Rods 4 Recovery, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses fishing, fly tying, outdoor experiences, fellowship, and connection to support individuals in recovery, veterans, families, and others in need. What began as an idea born from Bill’s own experience has grown into an organization focused on bringing people together, building community, and showing that healing does not always have to happen within four walls.
Bill is also the author of One Cast at a Time, which shares his story of addiction, illness, recovery, transplantation, and the journey toward finding purpose through service to others.
Today, Bill continues working to grow Rods 4 Recovery and expand its reach throughout the recovery community. His story is ultimately one of second chances, new purpose, and the belief that sometimes changing a life can begin with something as simple as putting a fishing rod in someone’s hands.
Rods 4 Recovery: Making a difference, one cast at a time.