Dan Rooney

WSB Exclusive Speaker

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, decorated F-16 fighter pilot and Founder of Folds of Honor, shares the leadership principles that help elite teams perform under pressure, build cultures of accountability, and unite around a mission that matters.

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Dan Rooney

Lt Col Dan Rooney’s leadership story was shaped in the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet and through his commitment to honoring the families of America’s fallen service members.

A highly decorated fighter pilot who flew three combat tours in Iraq, Rooney is the Founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that has provided more than 73,000 educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders since 2007.

Rooney’s career sits at a rare intersection of service, sports, and leadership. He is the only individual who is both a combat fighter pilot and a PGA Professional, and he has served as the motivational speaker for two United States Ryder Cup teams.

He is also the bestselling author of Fly Into the Wind and host of the television series of the same name. Through powerful storytelling drawn from combat aviation, elite sports, and building a national movement, Rooney shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and purpose.

Why Audiences Are Better Off:

Audiences leave with:

• A clearer understanding of how high-performing teams operate when the stakes are highest

• Practical leadership lessons from environments where discipline, trust, and accountability are essential

• Perspective on how a shared mission can unite people and strengthen culture

• Real-world stories that illustrate resilience, service, and commitment

• A renewed sense of responsibility to lead with purpose in their organizations and communities

Featured Videos

Lt Col. Dan Rooney: Speaker Reel

Lt Col. Dan Rooney on Using the Power of Choice to Fulfill Your Dreams

Lt Col. Dan Rooney on Learning to Trust Your Instincts to Elevate Your Talents

Lt Col. Dan Rooney on Why You Need to Embrace Discomfort to Find Success

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 CAVU

Dan Rooney’s Speech Topics

CAVU: Living and Leading with Clear Purpose in Turbulent Times

Colonel Dan Rooney, fighter pilot, PGA professional, and founder of Folds of Honor, delivers a high-impact keynote built around the aviation concept of CAVU: “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.” He shares a practical framework for navigating change and uncertainty with clarity, conviction, and faith.

Blending riveting cockpit lessons, servant leadership principles, and deeply personal stories, Col. Rooney challenges audiences to rise above life’s storms with purpose, resilience and faith. He connects high-performance leadership to service, showing how resistance builds strength and how purpose drives results. Audiences leave with renewed focus, deeper alignment, and the mindset to lead with impact, no matter the turbulence ahead.

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!
Education Programs

Works by Dan Rooney

Dan Rooney
Fly Into the Wind
Dan Rooney
A Patriot’s Calling

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Dan Rooney Topics & Types

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