Rick Searfoss
Rick Searfoss served in the NASA Astronaut Corps from 1990 to 1999, flew three Space Shuttle missions, and now is an independent speaker, consultant, test pilot, and commercial test astronaut for XCOR Aerospace Company. As one of less than a hundred people ever who have actually ever commanded a human space mission, expert leadership speaker Colonel Rick Searfoss speaks with authority born of in-depth personal experience. In his career he has led many different teams, including commanding the most complex science research space mission ever, the STS-90 Neurolab flight on Columbia. He also piloted two other space flights, including a joint Russian-American mission to the Mir space station.
Book Rick Searfoss and learn about the real "Right Stuff". Human space flight: dynamic, challenging, difficult. A perfect model for any ambitious venture. The astronauts must perform to the highest standards as individuals, teams, and for commanders, as leaders. Too much is at stake for anything else. As one of less than a hundred people ever who have actually commanded a human space mission, Colonel Rick Searfoss speaks on leadership, teamwork, and personal excellence with authority born of in-depth experience. Learn to apply the astronauts’ tools for peak performance, teamwork, effective leadership, and results that count!
Content and Credibility As a space flyer, Colonel Rick Searfoss shares with only a handful of people some of the most unique human experiences possible:
- Fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut, and Space Shuttle Commander.
- Commanded the most complex science research space mission ever.
- Experienced, real-world leader in the most demanding of team endeavors.
- Unparalleled credibility for content-rich and value-filled presentations!
Charisma and Compassion
Rick speaks from the heart to movingly share the lessons and awe-inspiring wonder of human space flight. His stunning multimedia presentations uplift, entertain, and move to action. A great mix of down-to-earth style and out-of-this world excitement! Let him launch your group on a thrilling “Mach 25” journey of performance, teamwork, and leadership discovery.
Client Centered
Rick approaches each speaking engagement just like a mission, applying the same principles he used as a Space Shuttle commander to help his client produce an exciting, engaging, successful meeting. Working diligently with the event team – meeting planners (mission control), organization leaders (commanders), audiovisual support (launch technicians) and, of course, audiences (the crew) – he nails down every last detail while constantly addressing and supporting the overall meeting objective. Rick always customizes using input from senior leaders and meeting planners to stay focused on the client’s needs. The result: stimulating presentations designed perfectly to help individuals, teams, and leaders lift off on their own missions of excellence.
His Goal
To spectacularly launch your event!
Video
Spectacular video and still imagery in every program to amplify Rick's powerful messages!
The Vision: "Sharing the leadership, teamwork, innovation, and peak performance lessons of human space flight to empower organizations to achieve out-of-this-world results!"
For preview videos, photos, and additional documents on Rick Searfoss, please view his media library.
Biography
Prior to becoming an astronaut Colonel Searfoss was a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Air Force, with over 5800 hours flying time in 71 different types of aircraft. A distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons (Top Gun) School and the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, he is the Director of Flight Operations for XCOR Aerospace (www.xcor.com), where he flies the world's only liquid rocket-propelled aircraft and works with the development team of the Lynx suborbital spaceplane, for which he will be the first test pilot. Rick has held executive level positions in the aerospace industry and was a contributing author to the book Leadership on the Run - How to Get Better Results Faster. He also consults regularly for numerous entrepreneurial "New Space" ventures, including serving as the Chief Judge for the $10 million Ansari X Prize for the first private reusable human spacecraft and test flying the world's only liquid-fueled experimental rocket plane.
Rick is a high-content expert speaker on leadership, teamwork, innovation, peak performance, and related topics. He is among less than 10% of professional speakers and the only astronaut to have earned the National Speakers Association Certified Speaking Professional designation, the speaking industry's international gold standard for speaking skill and experience. With compelling firsthand examples, Rick speaks from the heart to teach, motivate, enlighten, and uplift audiences. His mission: "to share the leadership, teamwork, innovation, and peak performance lessons of human space flight to empower organizations to achieve out-of-this-world results!"
Colonel Searfoss completed a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the USAF Academy, a Master of Science degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship, and USAF Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.
His numerous awards include the Harmon, Fairchild, Price and Tober Awards as the number one overall, academic, engineering, and aeronautical engineering graduate in his USAF Academy class, USAF Squadron Officer's School Commandant's Trophy as top graduate, Tactical Air Command F-111 Instructor Pilot of the Year, Outstanding Young Men of America, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Legion of Merit.
Beyond the unique professional experiences he has enjoyed, Rick's incredibly supportive wife and three daughters keep him focused on what's truly important: faith, family and service beyond self. His varied outside interests include running, backpacking, model airplanes, soccer, science fiction, and classical music.
Reviews
"The way you applied your team and leadership experiences to our business was phenomenal! As a business executive, I know the value of a great speaker, and your presentation brought incredible value to our conference. Your enthusiasm and passion along with those stunning visual images fit the tone perfectly. Your tailored presentation and the willingness to spend extra time with us put you at the top of my list of memorable speakers.”
Paul Garcia, CEO and Chairman, Global Payments
"A perfect start – powerful, exciting, informative, and fun!”
Barry Grimm, Hernandez Engineering
"I appreciate your professionalism as well as your extremely courteous manner … "You completely enthralled them not only with the subject matter, but with your polished delivery. I have been with the Medical Society for seven years and have had the pleasure of engaging several outstanding speakers. You not only eclipsed those other speakers by attracting a record attendance, you also generated a phenomenal number of calls and notes from attendees expressing their appreciation for the evening. ”
Dean Larson, Executive Director, Marion Polk County Medical Society
"Thank you for adapting your speech to our audience. Working with you was a pleasure; thanks for being so flexible.”
Barbara DeWitz, Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
"...incredible how he tied our theme and work to his background in space exploration. Inspiring and a fantastic start to the entire week! ”
Arlene Kaplan, International Right of Way Association
"I just wanted to thank you very much for the outstanding job you did speaking to our National Account Managers during their Top Gun Program Graduation Dinner. The feedback has been nothing short of stupendous. Honestly, they are still talking about how surprised they were to have such a prestigious speaker that not only took the time to find out about the audience but also took time during dinner and afterwards at the hotel to share your experiences with them! These folks have been in the pharmaceutical industry an average of 20+ years and have been exposed to numerous keynote speakers. They have all expressed their gratitude and surprise that they finally had a speaker that understood who they were, what their challenges were, and customized the talk to fit their needs. ”
Joe Gilhooly, Senior Manager, Managed Healthcare Training, Aventis Pharmaceuticals
"Your message and ability to connect with various members of our team were right on target … a meaningful learning experience for our team and fun at the same time. That is a great combination. ”
Dave Sorensen, Vice President, Purchasing, General Mills, Inc.
"Your real-life experience was both fascinating and entertaining. You were the star of the show. Your approachable style and amazing awareness of Microsoft products made you a perfect part of our event team.”
Jack Miller, District Business Solutions Manager, Microsoft Corporation
"What to expect from one of the real astronauts. They're bright, but are they entertaining? This one certainly is! We loved it!”
Dave Scott, President, Slanted Fedora Entertainment
PARTIAL CLIENT LIST: Lockheed Martin, Discovery Channel, BBC, America's Freedom Festival, Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives, The Associates, Disney Cruise Lines, General Services Administration, U.S. Postal Service, Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, Siemens-Westinghouse, UUNet, Shell Oil, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, International Aerospace Festival, Motor Trend Magazine, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fiesta Bowl, Midwest Association of Colleges and Employers, American Society of Appraisers, Invensys, UUNet, Family Motor Coach Association, Illuminating Engineering Society, Indianapolis 500 Festival, Florida Pharmacy Association, Genesee Hospital, Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute, Oakland University, Aspen Pet Products Company, American Association of Medical Instrumentation, Orlando Science Center, California International Auto Show, U.S. Chamber of Congress, Connecticut Education Association
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