Destin, FL, Nov. 27 - Col. Rick Searfoss, former space shuttle commander and fighter pilot, will be the keynote speaker at the Destin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Banquet to be held Friday, Jan. 11, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. The theme of the event is Commanding Business Success.

     “We wanted a speaker who is an example of true leadership and has succeeded at the highest level. Commanding the space shuttle, being a test pilot, logging the hours he has certainly puts him at the highest level. He’ll be able to translate that into making businesses successful,” said Chamber President and CEO Shane A. Moody, CCE, IOM.

     As an astronaut with three space missions, Searfoss shares with only a handful of people in history some of the most unique human experiences possible. During his career, he has led many different teams, including commanding the most complex science research space mission ever, the STS-90 Neurolab flight on Columbia. He also piloted two other space flights, including a joint Russian-American mission to the Mir space station.

     Prior to becoming an astronaut Searfoss was a fighter pilot and test pilot in the U.S. Air Force, with more than 5,600 hours flying time in 70 different types of aircraft. He was also the number one graduate in his Air Force Academy class and earned a master’s degree at the California Institute of Technology. In recent years, Searfoss has also held executive level positions in the aerospace industry. In addition to his extensive speaking schedule, he now consults regularly for numerous entrepreneurial space ventures, including serving as the Chief Judge for the $10 million Ansari X Prize.

     During the banquet, the Chamber will also present its most prestigious awards, including the Business Person of the Year Award; the Ann Gibson Community Service Award; the James D. Neilson, Sr., Chairman’s Award for Volunteer Service; the Jim Darling Seafood Festival Volunteer of the Year Award; and the Paul Woolman Ambassador of the Year Award.

     Reservations are required to attend the event. Additional information may be found on the Chamber’s website at www.DestinChamber.com or by calling (850) 837-6241.