As featured on Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Tavis Smiley, NPR, and others, Vernice Armour’s dynamic style and presentation methods have impacted many organizations and individuals. She blends a high-energy presentation style with humorous anecdotes, powerful visual and audio tools, and meaningful content designed to educate and edify while it entertains. Vernice stands on many shoulders, a strong legacy, and is highly sought after for her message of EXCELerated Leadership™!
While attending Middle Tennessee State University, Vernice enlisted in the Army Reserves in the spring of 1993, and enrolled in Army ROTC that fall. When she saw the image of a young black female in an Army flight suit during Army ROTC Advanced Camp, her first thought was, “Wow, why didn’t I think of that!”
Vernice knows a little something about focus, commitment, and defying the odds. After accomplishing her dream of becoming a police officer, she decided, at age 24, to become an Officer in the Marine Corps and a combat pilot. Only 3 years later, she was the United States Marine Corps’ first African American female pilot and later recognized as America’s First African-American Female Combat Pilot by the Department of Defense. Vernice completed 2 tours in Iraq.
As founder of VAI Consulting and Training, LLC, and through her keynotes, seminars, workshops, and executive retreats, Vernice conveys her message of EXCELerated Leadership through her unique insight and life strategy, “Acknowledge the obstacles … Don’t give them power!”
Now a highly sought after speaker and consultant, with her infectious energy, warmth, and humor, Vernice makes each keynote speech and consulting engagement as memorable as it is valuable.
Among her accomplishments, Vernice has been awarded for being a pioneering pilot and her role in technology and engineering! Vernice was also the first African American woman on the Nashville Police Department's motorcycle squad, Camp Pendleton's 2001 Female Athlete of the Year, two-time titleholder in Camp Pendleton's annual Strongest Warrior Competition, and a running back for the San Diego Sunfire women's professional football team.
Vernice’s next book, FlightPlan, is due for release in early 2009.
