Colonel Rizzo was born in Charlestown, Massachusetts, to the late Ralph J. and the late Elena M. Rizzo. He graduated from Western New England College in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in local law enforcement, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and graduated from MCRD Parris Island in 1990. He completed Recruit Training as a Private First Class and reported to the School of Infantry where he attained the Military Occupational Specialist of 0341 Mortarman.

In January 1991, he received orders to Marine Barracks Ground Defense Force, Subic Bay, Philippines, where he participated in Operation Fiery Vigil in June 1991. Upon deactivation of Marine Barracks Ground Defense Force, Subic Bay, he received orders to 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, California, as an 81 MM Mortar Platoon Section Leader in 1992. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1993 and reenlisted in June of 1994. 

In August 1994, he was accepted for the Enlisted Commissioning Program and reported to Office Candidate School where he graduated as a Second Lieutenant in December 1994. After graduating The Basic School in the top 10% he reported to Infantry Officers School where he graduated in 1995, receiving the MOS of 0302 and reported to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he held the billets of Infantry Platoon Commander, 81 MM Mortar Platoon Commander, Weapons Company Executive Officer, and Weapons Company Commanding Officer from January 1996 through November 1998. 

Colonel Rizzo accepted augmentation in November 1998 in conjunction with the supplementary MOS program. He reported to Logistics Officer School, Marine Corps Combat Service Support School, Camp Johnson, North Carolina where he was promoted to Captain in January 1999. Upon completion of Logistics Operations School, he received the MOS of 0402 and reported for duty as the Camp Johnson Area/MCCSSS S-4 Officer from March 1999 to March 2002. He received orders to 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group, in March 2002 and assumed duty as Company Commander for FMCB in July 2002. He deployed his Company to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in July 2004 was deployed to Afghanistan and assigned as the Battle Major/Senior Watch Officer for CJTF-76 in support of OEF-1 and was promoted to Major in October 2004. In June 2006 as a Major, he was selected to command Recruiting Station Detroit, MI where he completed a 3-year tour in July 2009 as the RS Commanding Officer. 

In August 2009, he attended the U.S. Naval War College graduating in the top 10% receiving a master’s degree in National Strategic Studies and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in October 2009 and took command of Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon returning with CLB-6 from Afghanistan (OEF 11.2), he was selected to the Marine Corps War College in July.  In August 2013, he reported as a Program Analyst, in the Joint Fires Division, J6, CJCS, where he completed a 3-year tour. In June 2016, he was assigned to HQMC, PP&O, POC/F as the GFM Future Operations and promoted to his current rank in June 2017 and deployed as the CJ4, CJTF-HOA returning in May 2018. After serving as the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Detachment Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri from June 2018 to July 2020, he assumed duties as AC/S G4, III Marine Expeditionary Force in July 2020 and was assigned as the III MEF Chief of Staff on June 11, 2021 to July 29, 2023. He assumed his present duties as the MCIEAST Deputy Commander in August 2023.