U.S. Army

Major General Vinny Boles, USA (Ret.)

<p>One of the Army’s most skilled logisticians, Major General Vincent Boles (Ret.) has decades of experience in managing the world’s largest and most complex supply chain, from the port to the Pentagon, and he gives audiences the benefit of his considerable leadership and supply chain expertise. </p><p>General Boles served in a variety of assignments over a 33-year career, holding command positions at every level and serving in multiple combat deployments.

Travis Mills

<p>Travis Mills’ keynote speech teaches and inspires audiences nationwide to “Never give up. Never quit.” no matter the obstacles or circumstances. Mills’ larger-than-life personality, sense of humor and incredible spirit for life engages audiences from the moment he takes center stage.</p><p>On April 10, 2012, United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne was critically injured on his third tour of duty in Afghanistan by an IED (improvised explosive device) while on patrol, losing portions of both legs and both arms.

General Gustave Perna (Ret.)

<p>Gus Perna, the visionary leader and logistician who led the most rapid vaccine deployment effort in global history, shares his proven principles of leadership, teamwork, and strategic planning—as well as the surprising ways AI bolstered the operation’s success, and insights on how organizations can harness its power. </p><p>Before he was named to co-lead the U.S. government’s COVID-19 response in 2020 with Operation Warp Speed, General Gus Perna served as head of the U.S.

J. R. Martinez

<p>J.R. Martinez is an actor, best-selling author, motivational speaker, advocate, and wounded U.S. Army veteran. He is many things. But perhaps most significantly, he is an inspiration.</p><p>In March of 2003, J.R. was deployed to Iraq. On April 5, he was driving a Humvee in Karbala when his left front tire hit a roadside bomb. The three other soldiers were ejected from the burning vehicle, but J.R. was trapped inside. He suffered smoke inhalation and severe burns to 34 percent of his body. J.R.

Melissa Stockwell

<p>Melissa Stockwell inspires us to embrace change and find motivation in adversity, as she shares her astonishing journey of leadership, perseverance, gratitude and competitive success.</p><p>At first glance Melissa Stockwell may appear to be the quintessential Mid-western All-American girl, but she is far more.

Shannon Huffman Polson

<p>From the cockpit to the boardroom, Shannon Huffman Polson shares stories of grit and leadership to help others overcome fear, break through uncertainty, and reach their full potential.</p><p>Shannon is a woman of many firsts. Among those high points: She is one of the first women to fly Apache combat helicopters in the U.S.