Waldo Waldman
Waldo Waldman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names | Lt. Col. (ret.) Rob ‘Waldo’ Waldman The Wingman |
| Education | M.B.A. |
| Known for | Former F-16 Fighter Pilot[1] Author[2] Motivational Speaker[3] |
| Notable work | Book: Never Fly Solo[4] |
| Website | yourwingman.com |
Waldo Waldman (Lt. Col. Rob 'Waldo' Waldman) is an American author, motivational speaker and leadership consultant, and founder of The Wingman Foundation. He is a decorated fighter pilot and retired Air Force Lt. Col. and combat veteran, having flown 65 combat missions. He is the author of Never Fly Solo,[5] a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller.[6][7] He has won multiple awards during his military and speaking career, including being inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association.[8]
Early life[edit]
Waldman was born and raised in Long Island.[4] His father was a Navy veteran[9] and mechanic at John F. Kennedy International Airport where Waldman would often accompany him. It was at an early age that he decided he wanted to fly planes.[4]
Military career[edit]
Waldman attended the United States Air Force Academy[9] where he graduated in 1990.[10] During his time as a combat pilot, he participated in 65 combat missions which included Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia and enforcing the no-fly zone in Iraq.[11]
Three years into his military career, Waldman was involved in a scuba diving accident in which his scuba mask broke while descending on a dive. Waldman did not suffer physical injury, but he developed severe claustrophobia as a result of the accident.[1] He overcame the claustrophobia and continued flying for his remaining years on active duty.[1] He then joined the Air Force Reserve and eventually retired with over 2,650 flight hours and 65 combat missions.[10]
Writing and public speaking[edit]
Waldman earned his M.B.A. while in the Air Force and began working in the sales department of a technology company when he retired. He went on to work for commission at a merger and acquisitions firm prior to founding Wingman Enterprises.[4] He was also previously employed by SimiGon and worked with his brother in a financial consulting firm.[9]
Waldman is the founder of Wingman Enterprises, a consulting firm based in Georgia. As part of Wingman Enterprises, Waldman uses his personal experiences in combat and in business to teach companies how to build relationships with employees, partners, and customers.[12]
In 2009, Waldman published Never Fly Solo, a book that outlines the principles he teaches in his consulting business.[4] The book made the bestseller lists of both the New York Times[6] and the Wall Street Journal in 2009[7] and was featured in a Geoffrey James article in Inc. Magazine in 2012.[13] It also reached number one in three different categories on Amazon.com on December 3, 2009. Waldman has also written for numerous publications including the Harvard Business Review,[14] SUCCESS Magazine,[15] and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.[16]
Awards and recognition[edit]
Waldman earned numerous awards during his military career. Medals include the Air Medal (five time recipient), the Aerial Achievement Medal (two time recipient), the Air Force Commendation Medal (four time recipient), and the Meritorious Service Medal (two time recipient).[12]
In 2007, Waldman was recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle by making its 40 Under 40 list of business leaders in Atlanta.[11] In 2013, Waldo received the Council of Peers Award for Excellence when he was inducted into the National Speaker's Association Speaker Hall of Fame.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Waldman was born one of four children.[9] He has an identical twin brother Dave with whom he co-founded The Wingman Foundation. The Foundation raises funds and awareness to help soldiers, veterans, and their families who are in need.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Dr. Sanjay Gupta & Waldo Waldman (5 September 2012). Overcoming fear (Television News). CNN.
- ^ CNN Anchor (unknown) (30 November 2009). Never Fly Solo- Applying Cockpit Lessons To Life (Television). CNN.
- ^ Fox and Friends Cast (11 April 2013). Out of combat & into a career (Television). Fox and Friends.
- ^ a b c d e f Williams, Dave (16 November 2012). "'Wingman' adapts military skills to career". Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ Pawlak, Jim (3 January 2010). "Business book reviews: Never Fly Solo by Rob Waldman; Warren Buffett on Business". Dallas News. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ a b "Advice, How-To and Miscellaneous Bestsellers". The New York Times Book Review. 20 December 2009.
- ^ a b "Best-Selling Books – Hardcover Business". The Wall Street Journal. 11 November 2009.
- ^ a b "CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame". National Speakers Association. 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
- ^ a b c d Lucchetta, Carla (January 1, 2011). "Wing and a Prayer". Lifestyle Magazine.
- ^ a b Lucchetta, Carla (March 2004). "Waldo Pumps up Doolies". Checkpoint.
- ^ a b "40 Under 40: Townsend to Wolchock". Atlanta Business Chronicle. 29 October 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ a b Epstein, Miles Z. (4 February 2013). "Success Means Never Flying Solo". Commerce Mag New Jersey. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ James, Geoffrey (24 February 2012). "How to Sell Like a Fighter Pilot". Inc. Magazine. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ Waldman, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” (26 October 2010). "A Fighter Pilot's Guide to Effective Communication". Harvard Business Review. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ Waldman, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” (October 2010). "Mission: Excellence – How you respond to challenges determines the altitude you'll reach in life". SUCCESS Magazine.
- ^ Waldman, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” (December 2009). "Walking the walk on the flight line". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.