Brian "BRU" Brurud - President
As the most decorated US Naval Fighter Pilot since the Vietnam War and a legend in Naval Aviation, Brian “Bru” Brurud has an amalgam of experience in both the US Military and the private business sectors. As a demonstrated leader, innovator, public speaker, and survivor “Bru” has developed tactics that brought US Naval Carrier Aviation into the 21st Century; authored numerous classified tactical publications; developed Culture Changing Training Systems; survived 436 carrier landings, 99 combat missions, 17 Surface-to-Air-Missile (SAM) attacks, and 1 aircraft ejection. He is also the featured subject in “Black Aces High”, written by Robert Wilcox which depicts a “…Modern fighter squadron at war…”.
While on active military duty, “Bru” designed and built a natural gas gathering/processing facility in Oklahoma and drilled for coal bed methane in Colorado. Additionally he standardized carrier based strike tactics and training, saving over 150,000 man-hours per year while simultaneously improving operations efficiency and safety.
Raised in Oklahoma as a ranch kid and cowboy, “Bru” began his professional career from 1984-1986 as a geologist working for Schlumberger in the Gulf of Mexico, while spending his winters in Alaska on the only well drilled to date in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). From 1986-2002 he was a fighter pilot in the US Navy and from 2002 until his retirement in 2007, as a Lieutenant Colonel flying fighters for the Air National Guard. He has amassed over 4300 hours in the F-14, FA-18, and F-16 aircraft.
Currently he is a commercial airline pilot and president/founder of Check Six, Inc., a performance leadership company comprised exclusively of carrier fighter pilots, Special Operations operatives, and Astronauts. Check Six, Inc. takes best practices from the most dangerous operations on Earth and tailor training solutions, using truly credible consultants, to benefit those industries seeking a “high-reliability” culture/performance and continuous improvement.
A geologist by degree, an engineer in practice, and a leader by necessity, “Bru” brings a wealth of experience, dedication and energy to his powerful Keynote delivery. His presentations incorporate creative videos, including actual cockpit footage, with the Check Six methodology to motivate and inspire leadership and teamwork. His engaging & dynamic message captures the attention of his audiences, sharing human stories and unique personal experiences. His message focuses on Operational Excellence while achieving a behavioral culture change within organizations.