Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour

America's First Black Female Combat Pilot, Former Marine & Cop, Entrepreneur, Author, Zero To Breakthrough, and Consultant to Business
Vernice "FlyGirl"
Armour

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AVAILABLE FOR

Keynote
Virtual Presentation
Fireside Chat
Webinar
Workshop & Training

Fee ranges

Domestic In-Person (USA):

$45,000 - $55,000*

International In-Person:

Please inquire

Virtual:

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Other:

* Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees vary by engagement type and are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact Gravity Speakers.

Traveling from

Georgia, USA

About

Combat tests you. Being a beat cop tests you. Life tests you. Three brothers and being the only girl...tests you. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour has been tested her whole life. A gutsy trailblazer, her resume is an impressive collection of “firsts” including America’s first Black female combat pilot. She served two tours of duty in Iraq as a Marine. She was also a diversity liaison officer to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. After her military service, FlyGirl revved up her career in the private sector as an entrepreneur, consultant to business, and author of Zero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. As a speaker, FlyGirl unleashes hard-hitting advice and amazing anecdotes from her adventures on the battlefield and in business. She helps individuals and organizations Get Gutsy and build a sustainable inner force and conviction, that results in accomplishing significant goals.

In 2007, FlyGirl launched VAI Consulting & Training, LLC. Through that work, she helps individuals and organizations make gutsy moves and create breakthrough results by applying her “Zero to BreakthroughTM” Success Model – a mindset that helped to propel her career and kept her safe in air combat. FlyGirl regularly takes her message to premier meetings and conferences worldwide and is a Gutsy Confidence Mentor for elite senior executive Women in Tech.

As a Black gay woman and single mom, FlyGirl brings vital experience to her role as a member of the Forbes School of Business & Technology Board of Advisors and COMCAST/NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council.

FlyGirl has two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards as a pioneering pilot, including honors for her commanding role in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s story has been featured in the media including on CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, Oprah Winfrey and many more, along with being a running back for the San Diego Sunfire professional women’s football team and two-time title holder of Camp Pendleton’s Strongest Warrior Competition.

She is currently working on her next book, The Gutsy Move.

VERNICE “FLYGIRL” ARMOUR – HISTORICAL FLIGHT PATH

How did it all start? Vernice was born in Chicago, IL in 1973, and moved to Memphis, TN after her parents divorced when she was three. By the age of four, she knew she wanted to be a police officer that rode a horse downtown. She received her first pony as a gift on the Christmas day following her fourth birthday and her dream quickly started to have a foundation in reality. In 1991, she graduated from John Overton High School for Creative and Performing Arts where she was very active in the music program, class vice president, a member of Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics honor society), and The National Honor Society.

In 1993, the future combat pilot enlisted in the Army Reserves and joined the Army ROTC program while at Middle Tennessee State University. During an Army ROTC career day, the seed of becoming a pilot was planted when Vernice saw the image of a young Black female in an Army flight suit. “Now why didn’t I think of that!” was her first thought!

In June of 1996, after a brief stint as a Nashville Sheriff’s Department correctional officer, Vernice took a break from college to accept an invitation to the Nashville Police Academy. She graduated in December 1996 – and later became the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Department’s motorcycle squad. She graduated from MTSU in December of 1997 with her B.S. in Physical Education: Emphasis in Exercise Science.

With the aviation seed in full bloom, Vernice was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps on December 12, 1998 and on her way to flight school. When Vernice finally earned her wings in July 2001, the ambitious pilot ranked No. 1 out of both her class of 12 and of the last 200 to graduate. She made the Naval Air Station’s prestigious Commodore’s List, received the Academic Achievement Award, was the top graduate in her class, and went on to make history as the Marine Corps’ first African American female pilot.

After flight school, Vernice was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton near San Diego, CA, piloting the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter. While there she was Camp Pendleton's “Female Athlete of the Year” and two-time titleholder in their “Strongest Warrior” Competition.

Deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, Vernice was recognized by the Department of Defense as America’s first African American female combat pilot. Vernice flew above the deserts of Iraq in her missile-equipped attack helicopter, engaging the enemy and scouting the roads from her cockpit, making sure they were safe for her fellow Marines and soldiers on the ground.

Upon leaving the military after the completion of two tours in Iraq, Vernice launched VAI Consulting and Training, LLC. She now resides in Atlanta, GA with her daughter Noah...her gutsiest move yet.

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Topics

Topics

One Mission – One Goal – One Team

Get Gutsy – Harness A Breakthrough Mindset

Who Needs A Runway? Take Off From Where You Are

A New Conversation: Actively Transforming A Company, Culture And Country

Videos

https://youtu.be/maVx33RClZw
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: Listening To Your Inner Voice
https://youtu.be/U-t_tyGoE-k
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: High Energy Entrance
https://vimeo.com/694424433
Stop Waiting, Start Engaging
https://vimeo.com/631046793
Listening to Your Inner Voice
https://vimeo.com/631120689
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: Acknowledge Obstacles – Don’t Give Them Power
https://youtu.be/gdILVbmkHxY
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: Flygirl Military Profile
https://youtu.be/jwh-WPynVoE
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: Who Needs A Runway?
https://youtu.be/39PHxI8rcH0
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: You Have Permission To Engage
https://youtu.be/8bh_twcTgEc
Vernice “Flygirl” Armour: The New Dei Conversation And Social Justice

Books / Movies As an Amazon Associate, Gravity earns from qualifying purchases.

Testimonials

“FlyGirl did an incredible job driving home her message. She’s such a natural on stage and her stories resonated across our audience. From those who needed to be told to “GET GUTSY!” to those who were brought to tears listening to her stories of combat, our employees most certainly left the event last Thursday feeling hyped on FlyGirl and energized to engage.”

Senior Project Manager, Office of the CEO, Brooks Running

“Vernice was a wonderful choice for inspirational speaker. She was on point, motivational and educational as well. I know our audience enjoyed her talk as they gave a 100% satisfaction for the event.”

Women’s Business Enterprise Council (WBEC-MD, VA and DC)

“FlyGirl was amazing! Her energy from the start made us sit up and pay attention. She had a long line of people that wanted to talk with her after the show. Her presentation was tailored to our audience and well received. The stories that she told and the inspiration that she provided to our members is going to be something that they’ll take home with them and remember for a long, long time.”

Director of Communications & Marketing, National Conference of State Legislatures

“Vernice was a homerun!! She delivered a terrific presentation, high energy and engaging. The chat was blowing up during her presentation. She was really easy to work with, too!!”

Executive Producer, Image Media for event with Kimberly-Clark

"The audience was absorbed by your stories of grit, determination and your lessons learned; you clearly connected with every individual as I could see how engaged people were...thank you for demonstrating that we can make dreams happen and seize the joy that awaits us in this life adventure."

Managing Director, Diversity & Inclusion, Americas, UBS Investment Bank

"It was a pleasure working with you on this event. Your professionalism and desire to deliver an outstanding presentation made a tremendous difference in the overall quality of our event. I would highly recommend you as a speaker for other organizations, particularly those who want to provide a 'real life' example of leadership in action."

Director, Education & Program Development, Women in Cable Telecommunications

"As the first African American female combat pilot in U.S. history, I am certain your journey has not been an easy one. I am also certain that your presentation will influence VA employees because it speaks to a commitment to succeed. Your focus, your passion, your purpose, and your positive attitude are the necessary tools to handle obstacles and help you overcome any barriers. Your message will inspire all to do his or her personal best."

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs

"Your encouragement and enthusiasm regarding leadership really has motivated the attendees and FEW to truly EXCEL. Although, your personal achievements and the powerful woman you are, are inspirational in its own right."

National President, Federally Employed Women (FEW)

"Captain Armour's audience was truly inspired by her courage and tenacity. She is exciting to be around and really represents a woman that young women can aspire to be. Our law students were empowered by Captain Armour. She is a dynamic presence."

Professor of Law and Producer, Massachusetts School of Law at Andover

“Vernice is doing an AWESOME JOB with presentation today. She is hitting a HOME RUN. She did a super job hitting the messages we wanted her to hit”

Senior event planner, Fortune 100 Insurance Company

“Absolutely Love Love Love her! I have seen and heard and hired many speakers in my career and Vernice is more than a speaker. I have watched her recording four times now and still she kept me engaged, made me smile every time and made me really feel good. For her to be able to do that through a recording is a magic I have never experienced with any other speaker.”

VP, Global Conference & Meeting Services, Berkshire Hathaway

“I can’t thank you enough for joining our Senior Leadership Forum and sharing your incredible energy with us! When I reflect on your messages – and there were so many great ones – what really stood out for me – especially given the past year – is ‘Acknowledge the obstacles - do not give them power.’ Pause, be curious and have the courage to overcome those obstacles, without letting them overtake you. It’s a clear, simple and relevant call to action as we continue to live in uncertain times. I was also impressed by your authenticity; despite being online, you created an experience that connected us all --- and left us inspired and motivated.”

EVP & Chief People Officer, Element Fleet Management