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Larry Brudnicki      

Real Life Coast Guard Captain in The Perfect Storm Rescue

His experience as the real-life Captain of the Coast Guard ship that performed two dramatic rescues during the Perfect Storm amount to only 100 hours of a 30-year career of assessing risks, making decisions and inspiring teamwork.

Captain Larry Brudnicki retired from the Coast Guard in March 2002 after 30 years of active duty. He reported to his last assignment as the Chief of Operations, 11th Coast Guard District, Alameda, CA in August 1997 where he supervised more than 15,000 Search & Rescue cases, which saved 1,600 lives and property valued at $135 million. He also supervised the search for survivors of the Alaska Air Flight #261 tragedy. He had tactical control of ships and aircraft that seized more than 150 tons of cocaine, including the ten largest cocaine seizures in the year 2000 and again in 2001. He also had tactical control of the ships and aircraft that interdicted 2,800 illegal migrants from the People's Republic of China, Ecuador and Mexico.

Captain Larry Brudnicki graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1972, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Engineering. His first assignment was on board the USCGC MADRONA (WLB-302), Portsmouth, VA where he served as Communications Officer and then as Operations Officer. At the age of 23, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the USCGC CAPE CURRENT (WPB-95307), Savannah, GA from 1973 to 1975. During that period, under the direction of Coast Guard Group Charleston, CAPE CURRENT was one of the pioneers that helped the Coast Guard begin a long and proud history in counter drug operations.

He attended Wesleyan University where he earned a Master's Degree in Physical Science to prepare him for an assignment as a Physics Instructor at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. While assigned to the Academy he also served as a Gymnastics Coach, Yacht Squadron Coach and a member of the Faculty Senate. In his spare time, he earned a Master's Degree in Physics from the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT. During a temporary assignment to the Coast Guard Research & Development Center (R&DC), Groton, CT, he researched and then wrote the R&DC report on using Electronic Systems, instead of sextants, to position buoys.

Brudnicki served as the Executive Officer of the USCGC MARIPOSA (WLB-397), Detroit, MI, from June 1980 until August 1982 and participated in the 9th Coast Guard District's early efforts to have the Buoy Tenders rehabilitate the Light Houses that were no longer manned.

He was then assigned as the Chief, Minor Aids to Navigation Section, Ocean Engineering Division at Coast Guard HQ, Washington, DC. He led the team of project engineers that gained the Coast Guard the reputation for being the world leader among the 200 member countries of the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities for using Solar Panels to power aids to navigation in the marine environment. His team converted almost 90% of all aids to navigation to solar power and was recognized by the Department of Energy for being the only federal agency that was successful in that type of endeavor. As a result of this success, he was invited to serve as a consultant to the Panama Canal Commission to help them begin converting their aids to navigation to solar power.

As the Engineer Officer of the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee from 1984 to 1985 for the Presidential Inauguration of Ronald Reagan, Captain Brudnicki planned, coordinated and executed all inaugural activities that required engineering support. He then served as the Commanding Officer of the USCGC BRAMBLE (WLB-392), Port Huron, MI, from July 1985 until July 1988. BRAMBLE produced the first two Waterways Management Analysis Studies in the Coast Guard, and while deployed from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean, had 3 drug seizures and assisted with another 3 drug seizures — netting 100,000 pounds of marijuana.

Speech Topics

Setting and Achieving Goals as a Team: 10 Steps to Implement & 10 Pitfalls to Avoid

The dynamics of goal setting for a team is much different than it is for an individual due to the interaction between team members. The audience will gain insight into why the team and its leader must create the right atmosphere, the importance of acting with the power of focus, and what the organization must do to provide the right environment. When the team implements the right steps and avoids the pitfalls, their chance of achieving their goals increases exponentially (90 Minutes)

Leadership Secrets from The Perfect Storm: 7 Steps to Making the Right Decision Every Time

Against the backdrop of the The Perfect Storm, this keynote provides the perfect balance between inspiration and application. The audience will see the seven steps in action along with examples of the courage, leadership, and teamwork that are necessary to triumph in our uncertain business climate. Through practical lessons learned from his experiences, the audience acquires powerful tools to make correct decisions even in the most difficult circumstances. (60 Minutes)

The Perfect Storm: Courage Under Pressure

A powerful and inspirational keynote that relates Captain Brudnicki's legendary experiences on the high seas. Ride with him as he relives the dramatic story of two daring rescue missions during the worst weather in more than 100 years! Learn how courage and leadership helped him not only survive, but succeed in the hostile environment of The Perfect Storm! (45 Minutes)

Managing Risk in Turbulent Times

This presentation is the perfect follow-on to the keynote: Leadership Secrets from The Perfect Storm - 7 Steps to Making the Right Decision Every Time. By using examples from other extraordinary missions he led, Captain Brudnicki goes into greater depth to illustrate the 7 Steps for assessing risk and managing projects. The audience will see how this process can be used to make decisions about new ventures, improve project management, and make clear, competent assessments of daily operations. Risk cannot be eliminated, but it can be managed.

Setting and Achieving Goals as a Team: 10 Steps to Implement and 10 Pitfalls to Avoid

The dynamics of goal setting for a team is much different than it is for an individual due to the interaction between the team members. The audience will gain insight into why the team and its leader must create the right atmosphere, the importance of acting with the power of focus, and what the organization must do to provide the right environment. When the team implements the right steps and avoids the pitfalls, their chance of achieving their goals increases exponentially.

Leadership Secrets from the Perfect Storm: 7 Steps to Making the Right Decision Every Time

Against the backdrop of "The Perfect Storm," this keynote provides the perfect balance between inspiration and application. The audience will see the 7 Steps in action along with examples of the courage, leadership and teamwork that are necessary to triumph in our uncertain business climate. Through practical lessons learned from his experiences, the audience acquires powerful tools to make the correct decisions even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Show more speech topics
The Perfect Storm - Courage Under Pressure

A powerful and inspirational keynote that relates Captain Brudnicki's legendary experiences on the high seas. Ride with him as he relives the dramatic story of two daring rescue missions during the worst weather in more than 100 years! Learn how courage and leadership helped him to survive in the hostile environment of "The Perfect Storm!"

Show less speech topics

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