Workplace Safety Keynote Speaker for Conferences & Stand-Downs
Jeff “Odie” Espenship flew the A-10 Warthog as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and later served as a Delta Air Lines captain, two careers where a single overlooked detail can cost lives. When his brother was killed in a T-6 training aircraft accident, Odie saw firsthand how small lapses add up to tragedy. That loss became the mission behind Target Leadership: helping organizations send every employee home safe, every day.
Check Odie’s availability for your event or call 770-356-6240.
What Event Planners Get
As a workplace safety keynote speaker, Odie delivers customized motivational safety and leadership keynotes, not a canned speech. Before your event he learns about your workforce, your safety goals, and the challenges your teams face in the field, then builds those realities into a high-energy message drawn from the cockpit and from real-world loss.
- A keynote tailored to your industry, audience, and safety culture
- Fighter pilot and airline stories that make safety principles stick
- Practical takeaways that front-line workers and leaders can use the next shift
- A message that connects safety and leadership, from the C-suite to the crew
Keynote Themes
It’s the Little Things
Accidents rarely come from one big mistake. They come from a chain of little things: a skipped checklist item, a shortcut, a warning no one acted on. Odie shows how the details done right, every time, are what keep people alive.
Complacency: The Silent Killer
Experienced, skilled people get hurt when routine breeds complacency. Odie explains how high performers in aviation fight complacency and how your teams can recognize it before it leads to an incident.
The Courage to Speak Up, and to Listen
Safety depends on people who are willing to say “stop” and leaders who truly listen when they do. Odie shares how cockpit crew culture builds that courage and how your organization can make speaking up the norm.
The Size of the Shadow You Cast
Every leader, supervisor, and veteran employee casts a shadow. What you tolerate, what you model, and what you ignore shape how others work. This theme challenges audiences to own their influence on safety.
Operational Excellence
Safety and performance are not competing goals. Odie connects the disciplines of fighter aviation to operational excellence: preparation, standards, debriefs, and continuous improvement.
Why a Fighter Pilot for Your Safety Keynote?
Military aviation and commercial airlines are among the most safety-critical environments in the world. Pilots rely on checklists, briefings, crew coordination, and honest debriefs because there is no room for “good enough.” Odie brings those proven habits to your audience in plain language, showing how the same discipline that brings aircrews home can protect line workers, operators, technicians, and drivers.
Audiences connect with Odie because his message is personal. He does not lecture about rules; he shares what happened when small things were missed, and what it takes to build a culture where everyone looks out for each other. Attendees leave motivated to slow down, follow the process, speak up when something is not right, and lead by example, whether they wear a hard hat or run the company.
- Engaging, high-energy delivery that holds the attention of front-line crews
- Clear, memorable principles your safety team can reinforce after the event
- A balance of emotion, humor, and practical lessons
Ideal For
- Safety conferences and annual safety meetings
- Safety stand-downs and Safety Week events
- Utility, construction, oil & gas, nuclear, and manufacturing organizations
- Leadership meetings, supervisor training, and kickoff events
Odie presents live, virtual, or pre-recorded, so you can reach crews on site, across multiple locations, or on every shift.
Trusted by Safety-Focused Organizations
Odie has spoken for organizations including NASA, ConocoPhillips, PG&E, Honeywell, and Balfour Beatty. Progress Energy Florida reported a 48% reduction in personal injuries and a 42% reduction in vehicle accidents after working with Odie.
Book Your Workplace Safety Keynote
Planning a safety conference, stand-down, or leadership meeting? Give your people a message they will remember long after the event ends.
Book a Safety Leadership Keynote | Call 770-356-6240
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the keynote customized for our organization?
Yes. Odie talks with your team before the event to understand your audience, industry, safety performance, and goals, then tailors his stories and takeaways to fit.
Can Odie present virtually or provide a pre-recorded message?
Yes. In addition to live keynotes, Odie offers live virtual presentations and customized pre-recorded safety messages, ideal for multiple shifts and locations.
What industries does Odie speak to?
Odie frequently speaks to utilities, construction, oil & gas, nuclear, manufacturing, aerospace, and other high-risk industries, as well as any organization focused on leadership and safety culture.
How do we book Odie for our event?
Visit the booking page or call 770-356-6240 to check dates and discuss your event.