
Vernice Armour
First African-American Female U.S. Combat Pilot & Author of "Zero to Breakthrough"
Known simply as “FlyGirl”, Vernice Armour ignites her audiences with a dynamic spark that can’t be extinguished. Soar through the execution of any plan by harnessing the power of a “Breakthrough Mentality!” From the moment she leaps into the audience, she shows attendees how to go from “Zero to Breakthrough” and create a personal flight…
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Full Bio
Known simply as “FlyGirl”, Vernice Armour ignites her audiences with a dynamic spark that can’t be extinguished. Soar through the execution of any plan by harnessing the power of a “Breakthrough Mentality!” From the moment she leaps into the audience, she shows attendees how to go from “Zero to Breakthrough” and create a personal flight plan utilizing her candid strategies to help win on the battlefield of business life!
Leveraging her “Breakthrough Mentality” mindset, Vernice propelled herself from beat cop to combat pilot in a record-breaking three years and became the United States Marine Corps’ first African American female pilot and, shortly after, was recognized as America’s First African American Female Combat pilot by the Department of Defense.
Upon completion of two tours in Iraq and leaving the military, Vernice launched VAI Consulting and Training, LLC. By applying the Zero to Breakthrough™ Success Plan to her own company, Vernice produced over six-figures in revenue within the first 12 months. Her passion is helping organizations and individuals create similar results.
Among her accomplishments, Vernice has been awarded as a pioneering pilot, including her commanding role in technology and engineering. An honorary Doctorate of Laws was conferred on Vernice from Chancellor University in 2010. She 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. Her signature book, Zero to Breakthrough™ (Penguin), was released in April 2011.
As featured on Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Tavis Smiley, NPR and others, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s fresh style and presentation methods have inspired hundreds of organizations and individuals. Vernice ultimately impacts organizations and individuals with an understanding of the passion and leadership required to excel. Through her keynotes, executive and group coaching, seminars and executive retreats, Vernice conveys messages of Zero to Breakthrough™ through her unique insight and life strategy: “You HAVE permission to engage!”
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Cleared Hot! You Have Permission to Engage
Who Needs a Runway? Take Off from Where You Are!
Zero to Breakthrough: A Breakthrough Mentality Creates a Breakthrough Life
Driving Diversity Deep into the DNA of Your Organization: One Mission, One Goal, One Team
Cleared Hot! You Have Permission to Engage
Employee engagement, customer engagement, team engagement, relationship engagement. No matter what area an organization is strategically trying to improve, individuals have to be engaged and in action for the plan to move forward and succeed! The key is giving the permission to engage from the inside out. Once that happens, your entire organization will be thinking with a Breakthrough Mentality and CLEARED HOT! In this keynote speech, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour will offer a fast-paced message that will show audiences how to:
- Harness the power of a “Breakthrough Mentality” mindset.
- Lead through mentorship.
- Leverage functional and individual diversity as a strategic advantage.
- Create breakthroughs for their teams with five simple steps.
Who Needs a Runway? Take Off from Where You Are!
The bottom line is that we have to move into action from where we are! Unfortunately, many people become paralyzed in the preparation phase. Decide what you want, put your stake in the ground and execute! FlyGirl calls this making a commitment to the commitment. Give your organization the boost they need to come together as a team, understand how their objectives support the overall strategy and accomplish the mission, achieving the desired Breakthrough Results!
This speech will give your attendees an invigorating perspective that reveals how to:
- Infuse passion in your life professionally and personally!
- Recognize and utilize the skills and talents of everyone around you.
- Lead a Zero to Breakthrough life with a “Breakthrough Mentality” as the foundation.
- Unleash your full potential, no matter where you are personally starting from.
Zero to Breakthrough: A Breakthrough Mentality Creates a Breakthrough Life
Put passion back in your life and design the path to your dreams with a “Breakthrough Mentality.” Be inspired by keynote speaker Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour’s personal story of setbacks, challenges, adventure, success, and triumph. She takes you on an amazing journey through her life experiences and, most importantly, the lessons learned. Unleash the personal leadership power needed to take your life to the next level.
Attendees will discover:
- How passion, purpose, and positive steps create breakthrough results and shape your destiny.
- The tangibility of possibility.
- Delay is not denial and to retreat does not mean defeat.
- How to ignite your spark and make YOUR dreams a reality.
(This speech is great for employee resource groups, women, minorities, and students.)
Driving Diversity Deep into the DNA of Your Organization: One Mission, One Goal, One Team
In this speech, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour—a former diversity officer for Headquarter Marine Corps and liaison to the Pentagon—reveals what it took to help a 200,000-personnel organization get back on track. She explains how, when you bring people together, it is normal to have differences and similarities that result in tension and complexities, but that what is key is how you manage that diversity.
The leader will discover how to:
- Know your people and harness the power, skills, and talents of the team.
- Unleash the full potential of diversity to impact the bottom line.
- Effectively tap into the power of the Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).
- Teach everyone to be an ambassador for diversity.
- Create a culture that values and respects all team members: One Mission, One Goal, One Team!
(Great for senior and middle management, diversity councils, and employee resource groups in a breakout session format.)
Videos
IT Summit 2010 - Armour
Vernice Armour
Books
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Testimonials
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