", First published on November 13, 2019 / 6:55 PM. Stay connected. Drawing on over a decade in high-performance aviation and her own transformation, Mace teaches audiences what they are capable of when they let go of fear, lean into vulnerability, and make bold choices. There are people at almost every air show that are like, I didnt even realize women could fly in combat aircraft., Its clear this rankles a bit. Together, I was told by others again and again how they could never do what I was doing and that I must be so brave. The perfect example of how to succeed with grace and a role model for anyone with a goal in mind. She went on to full the Squadron Officer School in 2014. Checking in with Major Michelle Curran call sign "Mace" of the Air Force Thunderbirds as they prepare for this weekend's @Space & Air Show at Orlando. Select this result to view Michelle Fami Curran's phone number, address, and more. He is the epitome of what the Thunderbirds are about. Upside Down Dreams was born. I'm the first female to fly in that position, which is, I think, one of the hardest positions to fly," Curran said. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients, USAF Maj. Michelle Mace Curran, Thunderbird #5, to Leave Team, U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds, Oenophiles to Savor Over 200 Top-Rated Wines at Wine Spectators Grand Tour 2023, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger Bought More Stock. Select Accept to consent or Reject to decline non-essential cookies for this use. WAYS TO SEE LONG ISLANDS BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH DESPITE WEATHER, 16TH ANNUAL BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, HONORS SPIRIT OF MEMORIAL DAY, PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM 15THANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, 2021 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Prior to commissioning, he flew as a commercial flight instructor, cargo pilot and airline pilot. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. In 2021, she was named the Distinguished Alumna of the Year by the University of St. Thomas. Force launch out of a plane from 13,000 feet, speeding like The third one is confirmed by her own admission. fbq('track', "PageView"); Tradition Continues: USAF Thunderbirds To Perform Flyover at 2022 DAYTONA 500, U.S. Air Force and Industry Pass L3Harris F-16 EW System in Critical Design Review, Four Ways To Take Control When Things Fall Apart In Business, U.S. Air Force: Fufeng Grand Forks Project Presents Threat to National Security, U.S. Thunderbirds at Gowen Thunder Airshow This YEAR, Operation Homecoming Kickoff Event February 14th @ 1400 > Maxwell Air Force Base > Display. I found myself stuck in my own head and consumed by my self-doubt. miles mph, at bone-crushing G-forces, with Panzer magnificently following the And she does it upside down (almost the equivalent of Ginger Rogers doing it backwards and in heels?). Curran outlined what its to be a contemporary Air Force officer for a lot of outsiders, offering a helpful perception into the Air Force expertise and showcasing the alternatives of an Air Force profession. During her three years of assignment with the Thunderbirds, she quickly established herself as a highly visible and positive influencer for the Air Force through innovative use of social media. It can be seen onWABC-TV, as well as on WABCsConnected TV AppsonAmazon Fire TV,Android TV,Apple TV,andRoku. PORTSMOUTH Maj. Michelle Curran, 34, is the lead solo pilot of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. In the works are online coaching programs for personal development, and in person corporate leadership coaching. Four years into that time she became the first female pilot to fly for the 457th Fighter Squadron. Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, call sign "Miami," is in charge of flying civilians. parachute; in one demonstration we see what happens when a chute fails at just What happens if you unwittingly commit a faux pas in front of one of the best fliers in the world? The Thunderbirds dont see combat, but that doesnt mean its an easy life. Michelle MACE Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. Just two years earlier, women were granted the honor of flying fighter jets by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Curran, whose call sign is "Mace," flies Thunderbird No. run where they evade the enemy by actually flying into each other to create Combat veteran Michelle MACE Curran led an impressive career as an F-16 fighter pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. The amount I needed to learn was so overwhelming that I avoided it by procrastinating. On top of that, I worry she might be intimidating. She also contributes to "60 Minutes. The unit adopted the name Thunderbirds, influenced in part by the strong Native American culture and folklore from the southwestern United States where Luke Air Force Base is located. About halfway through her time in ROTC, she was inspired to get her pilot's wingsbecause she wanted to be part of something with a bigger purpose, she said in the website interview, and also because she's a thrill seeker who likes challenges. She applied, picking the Air Force as her military arm of choice on a bit of a whim. I make a mental note to not take this for granted anymore. has historically had the most female recruits. Go fly girls! LinkedIn and 3rd parties use essential and non-essential cookies to provide, secure, analyze and improve our Services, and (except on the iOS app) to show you relevant ads (including professional and job ads) on and off LinkedIn. This shift in airshow schedules meant that Maj. Currans social media contributions became even more important for maintaining the relevance of the Thunderbirds for public audiences. ), First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, & Fighter Squadron Commander, Army Ranger School Graduate, Leadership and Peak Performance Expert, Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including. I was sure everyone else was better than I was and knew more than I did. Across Boston, neighborhood signs welcome residents and visitors to the diverse communities that make up the City. What if I call her by the wrong rank? Im in my happy place. Created by AviationFreak (talk). It's a blast. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. I appreciate your transparency and realness! Despite the pandemic, Maj. Curran and the Thunderbirds effectively leveraged social media to maintain visibility of the team across all media channels. that Michelle Curran was the only female flying with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds as of 2020? I was a fighter pilot! "Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team." -- What an amazing role model! She spends so much time flying upside down, that the number 5 on the aircraft is painted upside . Windmiller, Long Islands US Coast Guard demonstrated a rescue by helicopter into churning seas on a typical "A lot of people who see the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels. In her less visible but equally crucial role with the Thunderbirds, Mace Curran served as Chief of Standardization and Evaluation for the team, a leadership role which will positively impact the trajectory of the team in upcoming seasons. He reflects that he is just a standard Air force fighter pilot, flying every day, multiple times a day to master maneuvers. Except for the pretty paint and smoke, the maneuvers the Thunderbirds fly are the same for what are used in their combat training. Contact us by clicking the button below. The F-18 Super September 27, 2019, 5:00 AM. It's so important for others to hear your struggles. Thank you for the inspiring honest humility of being new at accomplishing a very big dream, and putting a name to what some very real struggles are, in order to succeed and overcome. Facebook; He showed "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell a series of maneuvers the team performs during shows. Always a thrill seeker at heart, she has a passion for pushing her limits and changing lives. I fly for them, not to let them down., But she adds, And for all those little kids they may not ever become a pilot, but they may think, Maybe I can do that hard thing I didnt think I could., Moms drag their daughter over, She just flew! I makes them realize doors are open to them., The team flies in many countries and parts of the world where it is unthinkable for a woman to be a combat pilot. Police at the time . I made a promise to myself that I would stop letting my self-doubt and fear of failure control every decision. He You can update your choices at any time in your settings. Like Curran, he says it is the team of 130 that make the Thunderbirds possible. The number of her jet, 5, and on her uniform, and the uniform of her crew (who are also women), are upside down, because in her role, she spends most of her time inverted, even as she makes that thrilling opposing pass. In addition to flying the No. Vulnerability isnt a weakness, its a super power as a leader! I live in a fifth-floor walkup, I offered. MACE currently lives in Las Vegas with her family. Day weekend) were flown, including the B-25 Mitchell Bomber used in the Catch We had the opportunity to speak with Michelle recently as she prepares for the 2019 show season, and here's how it went: and Jack Links Beef Jerky teamed up to create a one-of-a-kind plane, theScreamin She has inspired thousands through her passion for breaking barriers and setting the example of what can be accomplished through hard work. You look absolutely terrifying (Locked-In). I know what I need to do. These are not breathable, she adds, tugging at her flight jumpsuit. Anyone with information about Curran's case is asked to call the Riverside County Sheriff's Office at (909) 341-8817 or the Metropolitan Police Department's Missing Persons Detail at 229-2907. . Against the odds, I had done it. At this state park and many others around the state, free COVID-19 vaccines were being administered (with two-day passes to state parks as an additional incentive). A native of Orlando, Florida, he reflects that he first saw the Thunderbirds when he was just four or five years old, and was so awed, he wanted to fly. Do I have to salute? People come up and say Im so proud of you, something your mother would say. Before joining the Thunderbirds, Curran completed high-impact combat missions across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, where the challenges were tough, but the rewards were greater. She was applying to scholarship programs when her father suggested looking into the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC). (There have been girls who had really long ponytails get their hair stuck in the seat.) Instead, Im riding with Lieutenant Colonel Eric Gorney, a very kind and patient pilot who showed me, using a model plane, exactly what kind of maneuvers wed be doing once we got into the sky. I'm happy to admit struggles and failures if it gives others perspective on what they are going through. us atfacebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures, A Visit With the USAF Thunderbirds on Long Island, Ways to See Long Islands Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach Despite Weather, https://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, 16th Annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island, Honors Spirit of Memorial Day. travels at 250 mph. And the back-story They practice so much, it is all quite routine, even the communications between pilots. Since transitioning out of the military, she has founded her company, Upside Down Dreams, and is committed to empowering men and women of all ages to overcome obstacles and the fear of failure. After nearly a decade of active service, including deployments to Afghanistan and Japan, Curran applied to the Thunderbirds. The $10 event passes to the show can be returned in exchange for two free passes to visit any state park. She flew 160 combat hours in Afghanistan before joining the team. Its all very professional in the air with the comm. I made a commitment to start saying ''yes" to those from then on. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; It was during this time that she realized the flying was incredible, but the best part was inspiring others to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams. She earned a degree in criminal justice in 2009 because she consideredbecominga crime scene investigatorbut also thought it would be cool to become a pilot. that, These are long days sometimes, but this is the best job in the world. All rights reserved. Meanwhile, the part of this job that I really love is inspiring others. He has logged more than 1,700 flight hours, including more than 280 combat hours over Iraq and Syria in support of Operations Inherent Resolve. Up in the air, they were spinning so fast, they created a gravitational force nine times their body weight. It hits me when I step out to the jets. . December 31, 2019 / 4:08 PM In conversations around the U.S. during three air show seasons, Curran told The Aviationist about her role on the team and its opportunity to, showcase the Air Force experience and let people know what is possible. In a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign Mace, announced she is, about to make a big career pivot and will be leaving the Active Duty Air Force in the new year. Combat veteran Michelle "MACE" Curran led an impressive career as an F-16 fighter pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. This week, I want to give you a bit of perspective on why I chose to stop flying F-16s and become an entrepreneur. Driven by the desire to inspire others, Curran uses real-life examples from her trailblazing fighter pilot and Thunderbird career to help teams get unstuck by empowering them to face their fears, overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and take calculated risks. (where the plane falls from the sky), 4 knife edge tumblers, inside-outside 6 jet. With a powerful story and breathtaking visuals, Michelle, also known as Mace, takes her audience on a surprising and compelling journey through her career as a Fighter Pilot, culminating in her role as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. Your content is extremely powerful, I am sure that you will be able to support both people and companies to direct their energy in a better way to achieve their goals. Drink a beer. After serving in the Air Force, Michelle Curran is dedicated to continuing her service by helping others realize their dreams as the founder and president of Upside Down Dreams. He is a graduate of the USAF Weapons School, a 2016 and 2020 NASA Astronaut Air Force nominee and has logged over 1,900 hours of flight time, including more than 297 hours of combat pilot experience. In the hours following our interview, Im ushered from a flight surgeon to on-the-ground training for my flight to a fitting for the g-suit to one rather alarming explanation of how to use the planes ejector seat. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. At the end of her undergraduate pilot training, she was one of justtwo in her class of 25 chosen for fighter jets. Tom Demerly is a characteristic author, journalist, photographer and editorialist who has written articles which are revealed world wide on TheAviationist.com, TACAIRNET.com, Outside journal, Business Insider, We Are The Mighty, The Dearborn Press & Guide, National Interest, Russias authorities media outlet Sputnik, and lots of different publications. Curran has flown more than 1,500 hours in the F-16, including 163 combat hours over Afghanistan in support of operations Resolute Support and Freedoms Sentinel. 6, also known as the opposing solo pilot. We have music associated with all our maneuvers and for that one I got to pick the song. Michelle Curran (born 1987) is a former United States Air Force (USAF) major and a pilot in the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron, or Thunderbirds. Civilian performers at this years Bethpage Air Show include the world-famous GEICO Skytypers and their flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, Long Islands own David Windmiller, the Bayport Aerodrome Society, the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams who will fly seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers, and Mike Goulian, North Americas most decorated aerobatic pilot. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. I only wish I looked that good 'At Attention.' Mace, thanks for sharing this, and for reminding us that its ok to be vulnerable and human. Hornet, traveling at 700 mph, nearly breaking the sound Today theres only one female Thunderbird pilot: Major Michelle Curran, a 32-year-old Wisconsin native who flies the coveted Opposing Solo position. This is Currans third season with the Thunderbirds. And not to brag, but I dont throw up or pass out. Michelle "MACE" Curran Public figure Speaker, Author, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21' Lover of mountains, fitness, and adventure! This asWine Spectators Grand Tour2023 promises event attendees the opportunity to sip, OverviewA big part of the process of bringing these reviews to you is the research done to understand the background of the company. Im also excited to get into the general aviation world and hopefully also try my hand at helicopters. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? Though theyve only been allowed to fly fighter jets since 1993, women have been enlisting in the USAF proper since 1976. Its been a while! she says. MACE I really appreciate your service and you sharing it with the rest of us. An air show first, livestream viewers will be treated to a special inside look at performances. Mace, you are certainly an inspiration. Its like no other organization I have ever been a part of, said Curran, who has been in the Air Force for 12 years. He is a 2010 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he double majored in Economics and Management. This was the 16th Major Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace," is the only female fighter pilot on the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's demonstration team. They plan to travel to Las Vegas, where she recently moved to be near Nellis Air Force Base, early next month to see the Thunderbirds perform a flyover at a NASCAR race. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of the U.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. This pressure often leads to us becoming our own harshest critic and standing in the way of our own success. Michelle "MACE" Curran is an F-16 Mission Commander with over 1800 hours in the aircraft. He is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and has logged more than 1,700 flight hours, including more than 470 combat hours in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedoms Sentinel. I'll be honest I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl," said Cook. Crunchbase always contains a descriptive blurb about each company, and, Weve detected you are on Internet Explorer. 3 jet. From flying an F-16 to her passion for extreme sports, Curran is a thrill seeker. I kicked off my newsletter series with a heavy hitter right out the gate. You are truly a Hero. And she is aware of what seeing a woman in her role can mean. ", Curran said the shows are meant to inspire people that will "never join the military.". n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Before that, the WAFWomen in the Air Forceformed in 1948, but WAFs werent permitted to fly and instead performed ground duties. Though she wasn't really interested in football. Game on. During that time, she performed for millions of spectators, appeared in several national level news interviews, and did flyovers for the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500. At 24 years old, I had achieved a goal I had worked toward for over five years. I'm the first female to fly in that. Prior to joining the Thunderbirds, he served as the Assistant Director of Operations of the 555th Fighter Squadron and Director of Operations for the 31st Operations Support Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Visitgoingplacesfarandnear.com,www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin, andtravelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. During a conversation at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan for the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow in 2021, Curran told. He is in his second season with the team and hails from Fort Collins, Colo. Holy smokes. Windmiller has These pilot nicknames can quickly identify an aircraft or individual, and they also help to confuse. Its become more accepted, but she is aware of things that women have to navigate that men dont even think about. confusion, missing each other by mere feet; opposing craft which come at each "I'm a left-wing solo. This year, she is the lead solo doing the daring-do maneuvers, where two opposing fighters come at each other at, like, 1200 mph. Update: At this writing, the Bethpage Air Show was scheduled for Memorial Day, Monday, May 31. exquisite, thrilling pas de deux in flight, with incredible precision at 200 flying before he got his license and has accumulated 18,000 flight hours, Curran thinks it might be a perception problem. Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots cockpits. Maj. Curran is widely known as a member of theU.S. Air Force Flight Demonstration Team, the Thunderbirds. The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach State Park was canceled Saturday due to weather, the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation said in a statement. The plane doesnt fly if just one doesnt do their job., His call sign is Strobe. He wouldnt give the back story of how he came to be called Strobe either, except to say, As a young pilot, I thought I knew what was going on. I confess that I have admired Michelle Curran, only the fifth woman (since 2005) to pilot one of the formidable F-16 jets, since I first saw her in the 2019 Bethpage Air Show, when she was the #6 (opposing solo) pilot. During the latter a part of her function on the group, many airshows had been cancelled due to the worldwide pandemic. plane, it is astonishing to learn that the plane is a Taperwing Waco made See more, including their schedule of performances, at the US Air Force Thunderbirds site, afthunderbirds.com. Demerly studied journalism at Henry Ford College in Dearborn, Michigan. Michelle "MACE" Curran Motivational Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot 19-21', AF Fighter Pilot, Aspiring Author, Outdoor Enthusiast I help teams get unstuck by empowering them Published Jun 3 . I also get to chat with Maj. Zane Taylor, the right wing pilot flying the No. The Super Bowl was the first time Curran's parents had seen their daughter performing with the Thunderbirds. Curran defined what it is to be a modern Air Force officer for many outsiders, providing a valuable insight into the Air Force experience and showcasing the opportunities of an Air Force career. Matt Chapman, Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island, were the number of women doing Prior to the Thunderbirds, she was an F-16 Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. Curran additionally supplied distinctive and candid transparency about her profession and private life, successfully leveraging social media to convey airshow followers and aviation fans contained in the world of a fighter pilot. Add to List. people interested in preserving aviation history, flies aircraft from the 1920s. Recently, MACE was called back to St. Thomas to receive their Distinguished Alumna of the Year award. *This is a free press release. In the Facebook post announcing her career transition, Michelle Curran wrote: Ill be continuing to serve in a part time capacity and pursing some goals in the business world. I think it's important you all understand what drives me and why I made such a surprising leap! Although Curran isnt flying with meher plane, #6, isnt a two seatershe gave me the excellent advice to braid my hair and tuck it into my suit. The City of Boston is seeking artists to redesign these . On Sunday, Curran didn't fly reallyhigh, but she flewin close formation at 400 mph with five other Thunderbirds, the prestigious Air Force flight demonstration team, at the Super Bowl in Atlanta. 4 jet. The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the largest and most respected air shows in the country. She reflects that last year, the personal contact with people was lacking, but the team did city- flyovers, honoring health workers, essential workers and first responders. Workshop: Going to War with Your Inner Critic. Museum, at Republic Airport (flights available over Memorial World War II vintage aircraft from the American Air Power 7 jet. Red Bull Air Really, what we do is life and death sometimes," Curran said. Norah O'Donnell flies with the Thunderbirds at the Heritage Flight Academy in Ronkonkama, NY. aircraft, built especially for aerobatics, with seemingly impossible feats at of aerobatics; Golden Knights parachutist Maj. Marissa Chierichella and the Red In a Facebook post from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, call sign "Mace", announced she is, "about to make a big career pivot and will be leaving the Active Duty. After some reflection on that last 13 years, I realized the thing I found the most rewarding was the ability to inspire people that I suddenly had as a Thunderbird. The technical aspects and tactics were complicated. This system allows the plane to achieve feats other stunt planes are unable to cbsnews.com Female Thunderbird pilot inspiring others to chase their dreams As a team of uniform-clad airmen help me get into the back passenger seat of Thunderbird plane #7, I joke that I feel like Captain Marvel. Im hoping to continue to do that through this platform, public speaking, a childrens booklets just say I have a lot of goals and I hope youll continue to come along for the journey. I was so excited, I called everyone in my familyand none of them answered their phones, she deadpans. I also realized I was in a unique position to use my own story and what I had learned to empower others. In a Facebook put up from Wednesday afternoon, October 27, 2021, USAF Maj. Michelle Curran, name signal "Mace", introduced she is, "about to make a big career pivot and will be leaving the Active Duty Air Force in the new year". Bull Air Force sky diving team had Amy Chmelecki. A hug! MACE flew as Thunderbird #6, the Opposing Solo, for the 2019 season and as #5, the Lead Solo, for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. This button displays the currently selected search type. / CBS News, This story originally aired on November 13, 2019, on the "CBS Evening News with Norah O'Donnell.". smoke trails of Tucker. Flying under the callsign "MACE," she was the second woman ever to fly in the lead solo position for . With a powerful story and breathtaking visuals, Michelle, also known as Mace, takes her audience on a surprising and compelling journey through her career as a Fighter Pilot, culminating in her role as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. We lift each other up, we accomplish more as a team. No matter how confident and independent we appear to be, we all face pressure to fit in, be liked, and meet the expectations of others. I had never truly experienced failure, I hadn't developed grit, and my identity was wrapped up in my achievements. This often begins at Crunchbase, where we find out the basics of the company and its founders, launching points for further research. Self-nominated at 04:00, 10 November 2020 (UTC). As we hop along the New Jersey coastline, experiencing minor Gs, I take in a view of the beach. In total, Curran logged 1,500 total flight hours with the Air Force, including 163 combat hours in Afghanistan as part of Operations Freedoms Sentinel and Resolute Support. died in an airplane crash. He is in his third season with the team and hails from LaGrange, Ill. Maj. Kyle Oliver is the Opposing Solo Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, flying the No. Be sure to look for her at an. Im hoping to continue to do that through this platform, public speaking, a childrens booklets just say I have a lot of goals and I hope youll continue to come along for the journey. In hindsight, this response to adversity was so flawed. Curran has been featured on several leading media publications and programs, including The Kelly Clarkson Show, CBS Evening News, and Glamour. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Curran holds a Bachelor of Arts diploma in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas and is a 2010 graduate of the Air and Space Basic Course, Squadron Officer College. Olympic Champion Swimmer; 10x Olympic Medalist, 15x World Champion, 14x World Record Breaker, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2015-2019), World-Renowned Futurist; Founder & CEO of the Future Today Institute and Professor, Strategic Foresight at New York University Stern School of Business, Former Director, Executive Recruiting at Google and Holistic Leadership Strategist, Request an Invite to Events In Washington, DC, Olympic Champion Katie Ledecky, New LAI Exclusive, Essential Video Content: Pre-Recorded Content, Combat Veteran: USAF Thunderbird Lead Solo, F-16 Fighter Pilot and Founder of Upside Down Dreams, Renowned Leadership Expert and Colonel, USAF (Ret.