Printable Biography of Rick Searfoss

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He has piloted two Space Shuttle missions and commanded a third, with over 939 hours in space and 5400 hours flying time in 61 different types of aircraft. His first space flight in 1993 set the record for the longest duration Space Shuttle mission. In 1996 he piloted Atlantis to the Russian space station Mir.

With the STS-90 "Neurolab" mission on Columbia in 1998, Rick commanded the most complex scientific research space mission ever flown, with unparalleled mission success. Rick has over twenty-five years experience as a leader in some of the most demanding team endeavors possible - human space flight, test flying, and tactical military aviation. Unsurpassed credibility and experience coupled with out-of-this-world speaking skills!

Commitment and Character Colonel Searfoss was the number one graduate in his United States Air Force Academy class overall, academically, in engineering, and in the Aeronautical Engineering major. He later earned a graduate degree from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship. Outstanding Young Men of America, distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons (Topgun) School and U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. His many awards include F-111 Instructor Pilot of the Year, Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory Excellence in Turbine Engine Design Award, Distinguished Flying Cross, Defense Superior Service Medal, and NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. Top results through dedicated effort and commitment. Rick brings that same dedication to enthusiastically sharing the principles of success with every group he meets.

Charisma and Compassion 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. With compelling firsthand examples from richly rewarding professional and personal experiences, Rick speaks from the heart to teach, motivate, enlighten, and uplift audiences and fulfill his personal mission: "Sharing the achievement, teamwork, and leadership lessons of human space flight while bringing the wonder of Space to Earth for all to enjoy."

Programs:

LEADERSHIP "Mach 25 Leadership"- The Real Right Stuff?

Attitudes, actions, and approaches for today?s leaders at every level. Purpose, program, people, perspective. True leaders balance all these elements to get the job done, build their organization, and uplift their followers. Human space flight lessons learned: invaluable, for any leader, any profession, any time! This program superbly builds and motivates leaders at all levels to boldly take charge and make a difference.

TEAMWORK "Apogee! - Take Your Team to the Top"

Principles for all team players from rookie to mentor to leader. Successful human space missions demand that hundreds of different teams perform together flawlessly and consistently, with the flight crew as much at the top of their game as a World Series or Super Bowl team. An awesome model for any team venture! "Apogee!" shares this teamwork legacy to accelerate your team's ascent to the pinnacle of cohesion and performance.

PERSONAL EXCELLENCE "Countdown to Success"

Keys to unlock your potential for sustained outstanding performance. The competition to become an astronaut is fierce - less than one in a hundred qualified applicants is selected. What leads to such competitive success? Constant, dedicated pursuit of outstanding individual performance. Rick will arm your group with the astronaut achievement tool kit to launch on your own trajectories to peak personal effectiveness!

CHANGE "Dare to Explore!"

Flexibility, adaptability, and real-time innovation in dynamic, potentially life-threatening situations -a must for space mission commanders. Learn the three-part sequence for innovation success: "hyper-observation" to sense and prioritize the real needs, "a culture of possibilities" to make iconoclastic approaches the norm, and an ?ever onward and upward" process using constant, rapid visualization, modeling, and prototyping to quickly reach elegant, creative solutions to real-world challenges.

FUTURE "As We Dream - A Spacefarer's Vision"

Exciting and optimistic view of the future we can make. In a short 100 years humankind has gone from earthbound to living in space. What challenges and opportunities await us in the next 100 years? With the rare combined perspective of having flown in space, a world-class technical education, and ongoing direct involvement with many private entrepreneurial space ventures, Rick offers a unique view of the technical and cultural possibilities. Unloose your imagination!

Spectacular video and still imagery in every program to amplify Rick's powerful messages.

The Vision: "Sharing the leadership, teamwork, and achievement lessons of human space flight while bringing the wonder of Space to Earth for all to enjoy!"

PATRIOTISM "America the Beautiful from Space"

Fascinating stories, breathtaking images. America - truly a blessed land. Through the glorious medium of astronaut earth observations photographs, we'll take a breathtaking journey around America. A fascinating combination of inspiring historical, geographical, and cultural stories with stunning images testifying of sublime beauty, wonder, and hope. It will make you more proud than ever to be an American.