Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour Keynote Speaker
- America's First Black Female Combat Pilot
- Author, Zero To Breakthrough; and Consultant to Business
- Former Marine & Cop
Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour's Biography
Keynote speaker, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s life has been a series of rigorous challenges. Growing up as the only daughter among three brothers, she learned early on how to stand her ground. Her journey is marked by a series of pioneering achievements, notably as the first African-American woman to become a combat pilot in the United States. Her military career is distinguished, including two deployments to Iraq with the Marines. Additionally, she played a crucial role as a diversity liaison officer at the Pentagon for the Headquarters Marine Corps. Transitioning from military to civilian life, Vernice embarked on a successful path as an entrepreneur and business consultant. She is also the author of the empowering book, Zero to Breakthrough, The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter, where she shares her insights and experiences.
In 2007, FlyGirl founded VAI Consulting & Training, LLC, where she assists people and organizations in making bold decisions and achieving transformative outcomes through her “Zero to BreakthroughTM” Success Model. This approach, which was instrumental in her own career advancement and aerial combat survival, is now shared at top-tier meetings and conferences globally. Additionally, FlyGirl is recognized as a Gutsy Confidence Mentor for high-ranking Women in Tech executives.
As a Black, gay woman, and a single mother, FlyGirl’s diverse background enriches her contributions as a member of the Forbes School of Business & Technology Board of Advisors and the COMCAST/NBCUniversal Joint Diversity Council.
As a dynamic speaker, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour delivers powerful insights and inspiring stories drawn from her experiences in both military combat and the business world. She specializes in empowering individuals and organizations to embrace a ‘Get Gutsy’ mindset, fostering a strong internal drive that leads to achieving significant objectives.
Her groundbreaking achievements as a pilot have earned FlyGirl two honorary doctorates and numerous accolades, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s remarkable journey has captured widespread media attention, featuring on platforms such as CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, and Oprah Winfrey. Besides her aviation career, she has also been a professional football player for the San Diego Sunfire and a two-time champion of Camp Pendleton’s Strongest Warrior Competition.
Currently, she is in the process of authoring her forthcoming 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 Armour 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.
Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour's Speaking Topics
ONE MISSION – ONE GOAL – ONE TEAM
Gutsy Leaders create Gutsy Teams that make Gutsy Moves. They’re proactive – not reactive; and create the future by summoning the courage to adapt and align. Drawing on her trailblazing career as a U.S. Marine combat helicopter pilot, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour unloads valuable lessons learned under the most stressful of circumstances – about leadership, teamwork, resilience, communication, execution, and building a culture of unshakable trust. FlyGirl’s storytelling lights up people’s imaginations – showing them new ways to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Sample Takeaways
- How to build trust: Get everyone to step up, engage, and collaborate.
- Get personal: Learn each person’s skills, talents & hidden passions.
- Unleash your diversity: Strengthen the bottom line through inclusive collaboration.
- Disrupt traditional metrics of success: Measure more than money.
- Adapt at speed: Learn when to plant and when to pivot.
- Culture-building: Create an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
GET GUTSY – HARNESS A BREAKTHROUGH MINDSET
How you react to personal and professional obstacles, adversity, and disappointment is a choice. It also determines your future. Black, female, gay, and a child of divorce, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour learned this early in her pioneering journey from motorcycle cop to the Marines to becoming America’s first Black female combat pilot. FlyGirl’s energy rocks the house as she recounts for audiences her challenges, adventures, and ultimate triumph. Her authenticity, enthusiasm, and positivity inspire people to Get Gutsy and finally reimagine what’s possible.
Sample Takeaways
- 7-step process: Shatter limiting beliefs and unleash breakthroughs.
- Breakthrough Mentality: Replace a self-defeating “Zero Mentality” with a mindset that wins.
- Avoid burnout: Stay fueled and forward-focused in high-pressure environments.
- Resilience reframed: Understand that delay is not denial, and retreat doesn’t mean defeat.
- Ignite your passion: Learn tactics to design and follow the path to your biggest dreams.
WHO NEEDS A RUNWAY? TAKE OFF FROM WHERE YOU ARE
Helicopter pilots spring into action from where they are. They don’t need a runway. It’s their edge in battle. Marine chopper pilot Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour believes this metaphor is perfect for uncertain times where speed and agility are survival skills. FlyGirl fires up audiences with her energy and storytelling – relating hard-learned lessons with tactics for quickly adapting to the forces of change. This presentation is perfect for audiences navigating uncertainty or looking to accomplish audacious goals. FlyGirl will spark their courage and enthusiasm.
Sample Takeaways
- Act decisively: Recognize and take immediate action to capitalize on defining moments.
- Start where you are: No situation is ever perfect—gain momentum from exactly where you stand.
- Zero to Breakthrough Plan: Apply the three-step method—Decide, Commit, and Execute...at speed.
- Maximize your resources: Recognize and harness the untapped talents of everyone around you.
- Create a breakthrough culture: Build an environment where bold action and innovation thrive.
A NEW CONVERSATION: ACTIVELY TRANSFORMING A COMPANY, CULTURE AND COUNTRY
It’s time! This is about coming together – working to create an equitable culture for employees, stakeholders, and customers. A place where ALL can feel like they belong and are part of the team. It starts by establishing rules of engagement for civil, productive conversations that find solutions – not fault. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour was a diversity officer for U.S. Marine Corps HQ; its liaison to the Pentagon. As a gay Black woman she brought valuable personal experience to her work. She learned: When you bring people together, their differences can result in tension… THIS IS NORMAL! How you MANAGE that diversity is the key!
Sample Takeaways
- Build belonging: Create a culture that values and respects all team members.
- Shift the dialogue: Learn why it’s time to turn THE conversation into a NEW conversation.
- Face discomfort: Tactics to address uncomfortable issues without avoidance or denial.
- Break herd mentalities: Learn how to stop counter-productive groupthink before it takes hold.
- Lead by example: Set a tone of civility that encourages others to follow with respect and openness.
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