Travels from Arizona, USA
Ed Gibson's speaking fee falls within range: $15,000 to $20,000
For 21 years, astronaut Ed Gibson held the American record of 84 days in space. One of the U.S.’s first scientist astronauts, Dr. Gibson contributed to numerous landmark missions and discoveries before taking his outstanding leadership to the private sector.
Dr. Gibson earned a BS in engineering from the University of Rochester and a MS and PhD in Engineering and Physics from the California Institute of Technology. After a year in industry, he was selected as one of six of the first Scientist-Astronauts, edging out 2,000 applicants.
In his 14-year NASA career, Dr. Gibson supported the Apollo 12 crew and was their communicator while they explored the moon. He earned Air Force wings and logged over 2,200 hours in high-performance aircraft, 100 hours in helicopters, and 2017 hours in space. During his mission on Skylab, America′s first space station, he worked outside for over 15 hours during three different space walks gathering valuable new information about the earth, the sun, and the human body.
In his post-NASA career, Dr. Gibson excelled in program management with Booz, Allen & Hamilton and TRW and as President of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and Gibson International. Recently retired as a Sr. VP at SAIC, he is now one of two Managers at Aerospace Partners, LLC. and Chairman of a NASA Review Board for America′s return to the moon. As a speaker, he collaborates closely with organizers to add the most value possible to their event.
In 1965 Ed was selected by NASA as one of six scientist-astronauts from 2,000 applicants. He developed procedures for the Apollo 12 crew and served as their Communicator while they explored the Moon’s surface in 1969. In 1974, Dr. Gibson established the American record of 84 days in space on Skylab III, a record that lasted for 21 years. He also worked outside in space for 15 hours on three different spacewalks.
As Senior Vice President and Operations Manager at Science Applications International Corporation, Dr. Gibson led a major program at the US Government’s Earth Resources Observations Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and other large business programs in Washington, DC. He also served as the President of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.
Gibson served as Chairman of the Orion Standing Review Board, which accomplished assessments of the Orion Manned Spacecraft Project, and as a member of the Constellation Standing Review Board, which made assessments of NASA’s Program to service the International Space Station and return the United States to the Moon. He performed considerable program management and consulting with Booz, Allen and Hamilton, Inc., Camus Inc. and TRW, Inc.
Ed received his PhD and MS in Engineering and Physics from the California Institute of Technology, his undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester and an Executive Management Program Certificate in Management from the University of California at Los Angeles Graduate School of Management. Dr. Gibson received Honorary Doctor of Science Degrees from the University of Rochester and Wagner College, Induction into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame, NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal presented by President Richard M. Nixon, Robert J.
Dr. Gibson has also logged over 2,200 hours in high-performance aircraft, 150 hours in helicopters and 2,014 hours in space. He has written one textbook, many articles for other scientists and education of the general public and two novels.
Ed, a record-setting astronaut, has become an expert speaker and brings many of the above experiences and reflections on leadership in the Apollo era into each of his dynamic SpaceLeaders presentations.
Whether addressing 80,000 cheering football fans at a San Francisco 49ers’ halftime show, a standing-room-only audience of 3,000 in University of Rochester’s Eastman Auditorium, 3,200 at a black-tie dinner in London, 2,500 University of Texas Medical College graduates or 100 members of the Explorers Club in New York, Ed Gibson has captivated and entertained hundreds of diverse audiences with his timeless advice and out-of-this-world experiences.
From directing communications for the first Moon landing to breaking the record for longest mission in space, Dr. Gibson’s successes have been built on dynamic leadership, management, and vision. He ties these qualities to today’s business and public efforts in each one of his “Spaceleader” presentations. Dr. Gibson’s programs are a fascinating mix space adventures and practical wisdom on how groups can obtain a more enthusiastic workforce, higher sales, lower costs, greater productivity, enhanced operations, superior safety and improved communications and education.
The Heart of Leadership When John F. Kennedy declared, "I believe we should go to the moon before this decade is out," thousands of American workers attacked this seemingly insurmountable task.
As was true when President Kennedy issued this challenge, current managers have acceptable levels of administrative ability but the qualities that distinguish true leaders are much less common. Ed weaves absorbing accounts of space flight with identification of leadership qualities of early pioneers who set the stage and spearhead rocketry development, JFK who inspired a nation, an astronaut manager who demanded an altruistic mission focus and dynamic heroes who impelled success from mission control.
He shows how these leaders, driven by vision and courage, earned respect and trust yet tempered their drives with an empathy, that added a human touch to their greatness.
It Doesn′t Take a Rocket Scientist to be a Great Leader
Humankind′s most ambitious and exciting venture - human flight to the moon - succeeded beyond all expectations. Adherence to the basic principles of good management guided by great leaders and common sense led the way.
As Ed describes the triumphs of America′s lunar program, he identifies seven basic principles of good management that led to success - principles that apply to any endeavor, public, private, or non-profit. Drawing on his spaceflight experiences, Ed illustrates the ability to initiate action, focus on the mission, organize lean, competent teams, motivate and properly support staff, and, lastly, step aside.
The presentation is enriched by Ed′s ability to put the listener into the spacecraft and experience flight. Through humor and insight into America′s opportunities in space, he demonstrates how sound management can return the US to the moon and the average manager can become a great manager and leader.
The Adventure of Spaceflight Just as explorers, and later settlers, sailed the seas and spread across our continent, humans now leave our planet and venture into space. From liftoff and space walks to re-entry into Earth′s atmosphere, Ed′s audiences become entranced by a world that only a handful of humans have experienced.
Gliding over Earth at a serene five miles per second, living months without gravity, and watching Earth′s features become as familiar as the face of an old friend were commonplace experiences during Ed′s record-breaking, 35-million-mile space flight. With touches of humor, he puts the audience into the astronaut′s mind and body to experience their sensations and emotions.
Now, as 14 nations complete another space station and the US strives to return to the moon, the recounting of his life in space and its medical challenges are not just fascinating but are highly relevant.
Space Flight and Management It Doesn′t Take a Rocket Scientist to be a Great Leader Humankind′s most ambitious and exciting venture - human flight to the moon - succeeded beyond all expectations. Adherence to the basic principles of good management guided by great leaders and common sense led the way.
“Your role as keynote far exceeded any I have heard in the past. Your ease at the podium, your sense of humor, and your stories of space flight truly captivated the audience and added a depth to the banquet that is unsurpassed.”– James Woods FAA Flight Standards Office
“As emcee for the evening, I must say they scored a coup landing you as their speaker. You had the audience in the palm of your hand with just the right mixture of humor and information. We just wish you had been able to speak longer!” – Ned Foster, News Caster KTAR 620 AM, Phoenix
“Dr. Gibson’s awe inspiring slides and unique presentation were very well received by the audience. Every one agrees he is an excellent presenter and has a very special set of experiences to speak about.” – Adela Awner, Chapter Manager American Red Cross
“Over three hundred people filled the banquet facility to hear Dr. Gibson’s presentation based on his experiences as a NASA Scientist Astronaut. They were not disappointed. Aviation enthusiasts and other guests as well were unanimous in expressing their acclaim for the program.”– James Burch Aviation Safety Group of Arizona
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Reach (NOOKbook)
In the near future, humans again reach out toward the stars, out past previous limits where only our minds have explored before. Joe Ryder and Speed Spencer lead the second crew after the first one comes to a tragic but ill-defined end. They enounter a callous and overwhelming enemy in space of universal extent, yet an enemy that we all do battle with right down here on Earth. It’s written by one who brings realistic excitement to space adventure and the astronauts who meet the challenge, by one who’s been there.
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