Motivational Speaker, Fighter Pilot, Patriotic Philanthropist, PGA Professional, Golf Course Developer, and Author, A Patriot's Calling: Living Life Between Fear and Faith and Fly Into the Wind, How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness On Your Ascent to Greatness
Lt Col. Dan Rooney, USAF is founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a military foundation that has provided nearly 44,000 educational scholarships, 41 percent to minorities, since its inception in 2007. Lt Col Rooney is a highly-decorated F-16 fighter pilot and has flown three combat tours in Iraq. He served as a motivational speaker for two US Ryder Cup Teams and is the only-ever fighter pilot/PGA Professional. His second book, Fly Into The Wind, is a bestseller and he hosts a Fox TV show by the same name. He is a frequent contributor to Fox News.
As an author he has written two bestselling books, A Patriot’s Calling—Living Lifebetween Fear and Faith and Fly Into the Wind, How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness On Your Ascent to Greatness.
From humble beginnings above his garage, Lt Col Rooney started the non-profit Folds of Honor. Its singular mission is to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of wounded or killed military service members. In 13 years, Folds of Honor has provided nearly 44,000 life- changing scholarships totaling over $200 million dollars. Among the students served, 41 percent are minorities.
As a PGA Professional, he started Patriot Golf Day to benefit Folds of Honor and founded two nationally ranked golf clubs, The Patriot Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma and American Dunes Golf Club in Grand Haven, Michigan in collaboration with Jack Nicklaus.
Lt Col Rooney continues his military service as aggressor pilot as a proud member of the 301st Fighter Squadron at Eglin AFB in Destin, Florida. Rooney is a decorated military aviator; he is a two-time recipient of the Top Gun award and was honored with the Spirit of Attack award as a top graduate of F-16 training. He has received many decorations to include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Anti-terrorism Medal, Combat Readiness Medal and Air Expeditionary Medal. For his service and patriotism, Rooney was presented the White House’s “Presidential Volunteer Service Award” by President George W. Bush, the Air National Guard’s “Distinguished Service Medal”, the Air National Guard’s “Directors Service Award” and the Ellis Island “Medal of Honor”.
Lt Col Rooney is a Kansas University Distinguished Alumni, Significant Sigma Chi, NCAA Silver Anniversary Award honoree and recipient of the Oklahoma Medal of Freedom. He was honored at the Masters Tournament with the “William D. Richardson Award” for his outstanding contributions to golf and received the PGA of America’s first-ever “Patriot Award”. He has been recognized as one of People Magazine‘s “Heroes of the Year”, Money Magazine’s “Hero of the Year” and ABC World News Tonight‘s “Persons of the Year.” He was a CNN Hero and awarded the Fox Nation Ultimate Patriot Award.
He lives in Owasso, Oklahoma with his wife, five daughters, and three dogs.
Lt. Col Dan Rooney – Folds of Honor: The Mission 2018
Lt. Col Dan Rooney says to Go Before You’re Ready
Lt Col. Dan Rooney on When Things Don’t Go Our Way
Lt. Col Dan Rooney on Volition
Lt. Col Dan Rooney on CAVU
Lt. Col Dan Rooney – Folds of Honor: The Mission 2018
Dan Rooney’s Speech Topics
Fly Into the Wind: How to Harness Faith & Fearlessness on Your Ascent to Greatness
CAVU is an Air Force acronym that stands for Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited. Translated, it describes the prefect conditions to be a fighter pilot, when steel blue skies invite them to spread their wings like a supersonic eagle. Fighter pilots cherish CAVU days because they know tomorrow can bring challenging conditions. Life is no different. In Fly Into the Wind, Lt Col Rooney shares a code of living that combines powerful tenets which helps you discover and seize your best life. Hyper-focused on the precise areas that are immediately under your control, CAVU is a disciplined approach to each day that will help you re-shape, motivate, prioritize and ultimately thrive. Along this enlightened path the audience discovers a renewed belief in themselves and the art of the possible. With a refreshingly humble spirit, Rooney utilizes a dramatic multi-media production as a back drop to the story of his personal life altering lessons of synchronicity, volition, go before you’re ready, and understanding that every day is defined by what you do when it doesn’t go your way.
A Patriot’s Calling: Leadership, Teamwork and Sacrifice
Speaking with conviction and as a man who has also found success in the military, philanthropy and professional golf, Rooney’s life experiences demonstrate lessons of faith, teamwork, trust, compassion and triumph.
From the outside, flying an F-16 jet looks like a very independent act, as it’s one pilot maneuvering one plane. But when you go into combat, fighter pilots in a squadron must form one unit that has a common mission working toward a common objective. As a pilot who served three tours of combat in Iraq, Lt Col. Dan Rooney knows the importance of working as a team when the stakes could not be higher. In his powerful presentations, Rooney highlights the importance of personal accountability, working together and ultimately having the backs of your team when you are on the line. Having dedicated his life’s mission to founding and running Folds of Honor—a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to the spouses and children of military service members disabled or killed in action—Rooney speaks with authority as someone who lives his life in service of those who have served. Lt. Col. Rooney proud of the impact FOH has made on combatting inequality by awarding thousands of scholarships to diverse recipients.
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
In a word, OUTSTANDING! Seriously, the room was completely moved and inspired. The panel that followed had a little trouble getting through their opening because Major Rooney’s remarks were so stirring.
Financial Services
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
Everything was outstanding. Dan Rooney was great and his speech fit perfectly with my theme. What a great guy!
Financial Services
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
Major Dan’s remarks made a huge impact on the group. His story is so meaningful and inspirational. He was very well received and so many of our group got a chance to speak with him and thank him for his service. He made us all so proud to be Americans! I believe there are several interested in becoming involved with Folds of Honor as well. He is the best speaker we have had in some time !We are honored to have met him and heard his story.
Utility
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
The motivational and inspiring speech from Major Rooney last Friday was a memory our employees will never forget. He ran the spectrum from tears to laughter and we were all sitting listening to him and not wanting him to leave. He was an absolutely perfect speaker for our team and I can’t thank you enough for your recommendation and for making it a flawless event.
Food
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
The time that Major Rooney spent with the team was both emotional and incredibly motivational. I’ve never seen a speaker capture the attention of a Ryder Cup team quite like I witnessed with Dan. I know this will help our team compete at the highest level.
Leisure
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
Dan Rooney was a huge hit! He’s such a nice guy and gave such a wonderful and uplifting speech he was enjoyed by all and I heard many wonderful comments. He also came out in the main foyer and visited with everyone after the program. What a great guy! Thanks to everyone at WSB for a great job!
Construction
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
Major Dan Rooney was THE BEST SPEAKER EVER!!!! Our crowd loved him, and many of our members commented that it was the best speaker they’ve ever heard at an industry event. He was a perfect fit for our folks! Thanks again for being so great to work with and for making our meeting such a success!
Telecommunications
What other organizations say about Dan Rooney
Wanted you to know that Major Dan Rooney was fantastic today! He was extremely personable and did a great job! So many great comments about him. Our audience LOVED him!
