About Chad
Keynote Speaker. Leadership Expert. TOPGUN Fighter Pilot.
Chad “Vinny” Vincelette is a retired U.S. Navy Captain with over 26 years of service as a TOPGUN fighter pilot and senior military leader. His distinguished career culminated with leading the U.S. Navy’s East Coast Master Jet Base as the Commanding Officer, where he headed a team of 1,200 military and civilian personnel. As a decorated fighter pilot and commanding officer, Chad's leadership expertise spans high-stakes decision-making, operational excellence, and team performance under pressure.
Throughout his career, Chad developed his passion for leadership, team building, and mentoring. He has a proven track record in coaching emerging leaders, empowering them to realize their full potential, and creating high-performance teams.
Beyond his military achievements, Chad is deeply committed to community engagement. He currently serves as the Director of STEM Operations for the annual Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show, where he oversees a STEM laboratory that provides over 8,000 fifth-grade students with hands-on educational experiences. Under his leadership, the event set a Guinness World Record for the largest school field trip in 2019.
As a keynote speaker, Chad brings a blend of military leadership insights, team-building strategies, and motivational energy, inspiring audiences to excel in leadership, resilience, and collaboration.
A graduate of the University of Virginia, Chad is an avid supporter of the Cavaliers’ basketball team. In his personal time, he enjoys cycling and working as the handyman on the family’s small horse farm.
Watch Chad In Action
Presentation Topics & Descriptions
Winning in Crisis – Strategies for Organizational and Individual Survival
Chad outlines a proven methodology for developing individual resilience and organizational readiness. Drawing from his life-changing combat experience as a fighter pilot who ejected behind enemy lines, he provides powerful, real-world insights into managing extreme duress. Attendees will receive actionable takeaways for cultivating a strong culture of preparedness, learning a practical framework to ensure business continuity during times of crisis.
In high-stakes environments, preparedness is critical. A routine day can instantly become catastrophic due to unforeseen circumstances, demanding a timely response for literal and figurative survival. Chad addresses the necessity of readiness in the face of disruption, providing a structured approach for managing the unexpected when there is limited control over external factors.
Unmasking Emotional Armor – the Path to Authentic Leadership
Professional and personal pressures often lead to the development of Emotional Armor, a defense mechanism that hinders authentic connection and effective leadership. Chad challenges the audience to consider if their own armor limits their potential.
In this powerful keynote, Chad draws upon his leadership experiences aboard an aircraft carrier at sea to illustrate the tangible pitfalls of this armor. He guides attendees through practical strategies centered on self-awareness, vulnerability, and empathy as the foundational principles for leadership. The presentation resonates with leaders across industries seeking to foster stronger connections and achieve greater professional success by embracing their authentic selves.
Past Performance
