Dwayne "Spike" Booker

Dwayne Booker is a combat veteran, fighter pilot, and leadership expert whose career spans military aviation, executive coaching, and organizational training. Booker began his journey as a physics student at Morehouse College, where he earned a degree through ROTC before commissioning as a United States Air Force fighter pilot. He later completed a master's degree in space studies and a graduate certificate in executive coaching from American Military University.

Booker has logged more than 2,500 hours of flight time in aircraft such as the F-15E, T-38A/C, T-6, and Airbus A320. Following a year as a Gold Bar recruiter, he attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base and was selected as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot in the T-6 Texan II, contributing to the training of pilots for the Air Force and partner nations. After completing F-15E Strike Eagle flight school, Booker joined the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. He also served as Director of Operations for the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron, supporting adversary air replication for the F-22 Formal Training unit.

Booker continues his service in the Florida Air National Guard as a part-time military officer, collaborating with NORAD and U.S. Northern Command on homeland defense missions. He has also worked as an airline pilot at Delta Air Lines, combining commercial aviation experience with military credentials.

Booker is Chief Training Officer and Executive Consultant at Afterburner, a team of military professionals who deliver keynote speaking and training programs to organizations worldwide. Afterburner's methodology, "Flawless Execution" (FLEX), applies Plan, Brief, Execute, and Debrief cycles to help organizations align strategy with execution and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Companies such as Microsoft, Google, Home Depot, and Nike have adopted Afterburner's training programs to drive performance and leadership development.

Booker also engages in youth outreach, sharing his experiences to inspire future leaders. His story highlights the impact of discipline, mentorship, and perseverance in achieving success in military aviation, leadership development, and organizational training.