VIDEOS
PRAISE
SPEAKING TOPICS
01
Teamwork/Leadership
Leadership touches everyone in your life, personal and professional. Great leaders can elicit performance beyond what an individual considers possible, poor leaders can take high performers and neutralize them. The SEAL Teams do not select for natural leaders, we select for those that can be trained, and mold them into the leaders the community and nation demand.
02
Motivation/No Excuses
The impossible only exist if you accept it. After two years spent as an instructor at the most difficult military training in the world, one thing is clear; the only muscle that is important is the one between your ears. We are all born with the ability to learn techniques to improve our mental toughness and resilience, which are directly tied to performance in difficult situations.
03
Crisis Management/Decision making
No plan is perfect, no plan is complete, but at some point you must execute. Understanding contingency planning and the decision making process in high risk, high consequence environments is often the difference between success and failure. You will not rise to the occasion, you will fall to the level of your training.
RESUME
Professional Experience
Velocity Training: 2014-2016
- Director of Air Operations Training: Manage, develop, and act as primary instructor for all aspects of advanced Military Free Fall operations, to include High Altitude High Opening, Offset Navigation, Military Tandem, Austere location, and High Altitude jumping.
- Responsible for identifying and defining training deficiencies with multiple active duty Special Operations Units across multiple services and career field requirements.
CrossFit Inc. : 2006 – 2014
San Diego, CA
- Manager, Corporate Development and Licensing: Reporting directly to the CEO, sourced, negotiated, developed and managed all major global sponsorship and licensing agreements and strategic alliances valued at $180 million between CrossFit Inc. and external companies, including Reebok, Rogue Fitness, Progenex, and Hyatt Hotels.
- Identified and defined assets, liabilities, gaps and opportunities within CrossFit that could benefit through new strategic partnerships.
- Consulted with CEO to integrate external brands and brand messages into CrossFit’s own brand-building strategy across multiple properties, publishing technologies and platforms (broadcast, video, digital, print).
- Managed all aspects of sponsor relationships and strategy at an average of 30 CrossFit events per year throughout North America, South America, Europe and Africa.
- Manager, Charitable Initiatives: Worked with CEO to design a protocol for assessing the best strategies to support the company’s chosen charities. Specifically, analyzed internal and external communications policies to improve awareness across multiple platforms and bolster support for charitable initiatives
- Managed a team of 10 people to implement strategies and raise funds for charities that include St. Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital, ISR – Infant Swim Resource, and Koins for Kenya. Total funds raised: $5 million, and schools built in the Dzendereni district of Kenya: 14
- Identified, planned and executed one-off charitable opportunities to support individuals, families and groups within the broader global CrossFit community.
- Worked with Director of CrossFit Media to analyze and assess shortfalls and opportunities across all digital properties and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) with specific focus on integrating charitable initiatives into broader CrossFit strategy and goals.
Aviation: 2008 – 2014
Part 135 Pilot in Command with International Experience
- Total time: 2900 hours
- Airline Transport Pilot
- First Class Medical, no limitations
- Gulfstream GIV Type Rating
- Citation 525 (S) Type Rating
Military Experience
Lieutenant and SEAL Operator, US Navy: 2008 – 2012
Seal Team Three / Training Officer, Squad Commander, deployed to Afghanistan
- Led a 14-man element of SEALs, Afghan National Army and Police during an eight-month deployment, successfully completing 58 combat operations in Zabul Province, Afghanistan.
- Managed an Operations department responsible for five combat detachments comprised of 365 special operations coalition force members. Directed the processing, approval, procedures, and de-confliction of 184 special operations combat operations.
- Managed daily operations including budget, manpower, facilities, classified materials, and $6 million of sensitive combat equipment.
- Direct oversight into the pre-deployment training of 130 SEAL operators during 500 High Risk training evolutions prior to deployment to Afghanistan.
Naval Special Warfare Training Center: 2006 – 2008
Leading Petty Officer
- Led 13 senior SEAL instructors and 600 students in the execution of 104 weeks of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, encompassing 1,000 designated high-risk training evolutions.
- Selected 1st out of 25 candidates for commissioning through the Limited Duty Officer Program, the only Petty Officer First Class selection in the history of Naval Special Warfare.
Naval Special Warfare Development Group: 2002 – 2006
Team member for a Joint Special Operations Task Force, deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq:
- Conducted numerous combat deployments for the Navy’s tier one special mission unit. Acted as a specialized assault team member across the full spectrum of special operations missions to include the rescue of an American Prisoner of War and the protection of foreign presidents, as well as prosecuting sensitive and strategic national objectives in politically volatile regions.
- Planned and executed over 300 combat missions in pursuit of high value targets through Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Taught advanced high-risk Basic/Advanced Military FreeFall, Tandem, and Jump Master courses under Joint Special Operations Command.
- Researched, developed, tested, and evaluated innovative, cutting-edge Naval Special Warfare tactics and equipment.
- Completed a rigorous advanced maritime special operations selection course that only accepts the top 1 percent of Navy SEAL Operators.
Seal Team Five: 1997 – 2002
Lead Communicator/JTAC
- Lead Joint Terminal Aircraft Controller, responsible for planning, coordination, currency, and execution of live fire training exercises with Naval aircraft globally.
- Led, managed and trained a five-man element in preparation for two Western Pacific deployments to Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.
Awards and Commendations
- Five Bronze Star Medals (four with Valor)
- Purple Heart
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal (with Valor)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Two Combat Action Ribbons
- Presidential Unit Citation.
Security Clearances
- Top Secret
- Sensitive Compartmented Information.
Military Qualifications
- Naval Special Warfare Sniper
- Diving Supervisor
- Advanced Communications
- Advanced Explosive Breacher
- Joint Terminal Aircraft Controller
- Static Line and FreeFall Jump Master
- Tandem Master Instructor Examiner
Blogs
- Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf Launching on 7 Continent Expedition
- Andy Stumpf on LONDON REAL: Danger Brings Clarity How to Conquer Your Fears & Thrive in High Risk Situations
- Andy Stumpf, Retired Navy SEAL: Losing control of your emotions during a stressful situation like the COVID-19 pandemic can be ‘dangerous’
- Navy SEAL Andy Stumpf Shares Most Terrifying And Hilarious Moment Of His Career
- Andy Stumpf’s blog about the death of his friend, SEAL Team 6 operator, as read in congress on CSPAN
“Hi Kenny! On behalf of our staff and members, I wanted to say thank you for a great performance at our 2022 Winter Meeting this past weekend in Wausau, Wisconsin. All feedback received so far has been nothing short of positive. Our members truly enjoyed your presentation, and your performance was extremely engaging. You were so gracious to have dinner with our group, meet our members and pose for photographs. In my ten years of planning these events for our chapter, I have never seen as many of our members take to the dance floor as they did on Saturday night while you were playing. You were such a huge “hit” at our meeting, that you created a memorable event our members will be talking about for years to come. You were so pleasant to work with that I hope we cross paths in the future. Thank you again for the fantastic weekend,”
– TARA R
WINECA
“Kenny, It was our great pleasure to have you at our meeting. One word…..AWESOME!! People are still talking about you! I hope you had a good time with us as well! I look forward to inviting you back to a future meeting.”
– JANET GLOVER
DIRECTOR OF MEETINGS, KDA
“Kenny Aronoff is the total package! In my 30+ years of marketing and organizing events all over the world, few keynote speakers have had such a significant impact on an audience, such as Kenny! He was passionate! He was engaging! He was charismatic! Kenny shared life-lessons and lessons learned from the music industry that were entirely relatable to the business arena. Leadership, communications, creativity, collaboration, innovation, passion, and teamwork are all key values of any organization. Achieving these values are lofty goals for any organization, or culture. These values drive business results. Then he created a one of the most memorable moments I have ever personally witnessed. Kenny played a medley of hits on his drums that completely ROCKED our audience! Every conference attendee had their phone out to capture the moment. They were singing and/or weaving enthusiastically in their chairs. It was an absolutely incredible performance. At the end, 400+ business leaders rewarded his effort with a thunderous standing ovation!
But there is one thing that really separates Kenny Aronoff from traditional keynote speakers. The majority of keynotes simply deliver their presentation and leave the venue immediately, per their “contractual agreement”. He stayed for the entire event and greeted every attendee who wanted to meet and talk with him. It is not often the average person gets to personally meet a true legend – much less a famous music legend. I received many verbal and written responses from attendees that they were shocked at how friendly, humble, intelligent, and conversational Kenny was. Needless to say, he created a whole new legion of fans in the Mid-West!
As an event organizer, Kenny was the consummate professional to work with. Aside from his amazing talent, I so appreciated his positive energy and willingness to engage at every step in the process. The bottom line is, I give Kenny Aronoff my highest recommendation as a Keynote Speaker for any event. He’s simply the best!”
– T. Sater
VP Marketing, AIM
“Wow. That’s all I can say is Wow! What an amazing Keynote! Kenny Aronoff’s energy and enthusiasm during his presentation kept the audience engaged and looking for more. We had many members say they wrote down thoughts about how they could implement Kenny’s ideas on how to work together for the greater good of the team and set themselves apart through hard work and commitment. Kenny was the perfect Keynote Speaker to wrap up our event! Kenny Aronoff is an insightful, energetic and entertaining speaker with thought-provoking ideas who did a terrific job!
He made a huge impact on our group and made the event a huge success!
I highly recommend considering what he has to say and to inviting him to speak at your event. He kept the audience riveted for a full hour. It was impressive.”
WISCONSIN NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
– LOYAL D, O’LEARY, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
“Fantastic show. Kenny is a terrific speaker and performer. High energy. Yet smooth and polished. I remember all the trade show conventions I went to where there was some luncheon or dinner where there was some motivational speaker, usually a washed up athlete telling old stories. They were so boring I would fall asleep and my face would fall into the pudding. Long and short of it. In my business career I have seen dozens of motivational speakers, including an astronaut who walked on the moon, and Kenny puts all of them to shame. This guy is the real deal. I like the way he adapted his talk for your purposes, referencing tools and the need to adapt or die. He really put his heart and soul into this for you. Obviously a really great guy.”
– RICHARD B VIA NICK T
PROF OF ANTHROPOLOGY, INDIANA UNIVERSITY
“Kenny Aronoff is the total package! In my 30+ years of marketing and organizing events all over the world, few keynote speakers have had such a significant impact on an audience, such as Kenny! He was passionate! He was engaging! He was charismatic! Kenny shared life-lessons and lessons learned from the music industry that were entirely relatable to the business arena. Leadership, communications, creativity, collaboration, innovation, passion, and teamwork are all key values of any organization. Achieving these values are lofty goals for any organization, or culture. These values drive business results. Then he created a one of the most memorable moments I have ever personally witnessed. Kenny played a medley of hits on his drums that completely ROCKED our audience! Every conference attendee had their phone out to capture the moment. They were singing and/or weaving enthusiastically in their chairs. It was an absolutely incredible performance. At the end, 400+ business leaders rewarded his effort with a thunderous standing ovation!
But there is one thing that really separates Kenny Aronoff from traditional keynote speakers. The majority of keynotes simply deliver their presentation and leave the venue immediately, per their “contractual agreement”. He stayed for the entire event and greeted every attendee who wanted to meet and talk with him. It is not often the average person gets to personally meet a true legend – much less a famous music legend. I received many verbal and written responses from attendees that they were shocked at how friendly, humble, intelligent, and conversational Kenny was. Needless to say, he created a whole new legion of fans in the Mid-West!
As an event organizer, Kenny was the consummate professional to work with. Aside from his amazing talent, I so appreciated his positive energy and willingness to engage at every step in the process. The bottom line is, I give Kenny Aronoff my highest recommendation as a Keynote Speaker for any event. He’s simply the best!”
– T. Sater
VP Marketing, AIM
“My students are still buzzing with enthusiasm and insight from your recent guest lecture. One thing I’d like to pass along to you (as someone who’s worked with college kids for a long, long time) is that you seem to have a special gift for connecting with this cohort–not just in a way that’s informative and entertaining, but also in a way that is “changing.” I’ve seen a lot of talented, high-level keynote speakers come and go. Yes, you are good at speaking to a room full of individuals. But you have that higher-level ability to go beyond speaking to an audience, into the realm of connecting with each audience member individually/personally, so that in the moment you are “with them and bonding one to one.” I mean this seriously, Kenny–not just as a fan trying to blow ingratiating smoke.”
– BRAD HENDERSON
UC DAVIS
“Kenny is such a force, he’s such a physical force–that’s the thing you have to start with–he is a ball of fucking energy who’s bringing it. He reminds me of some of our great pass rushers, like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis!”
– JIM IRSAY
OWNER OF THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“I think he is, without a doubt, one of the greats. As far as I’m concerned, he’s the greatest in the world and I’m lucky enough to have him in my band. I know Kenny has his own idols that he looks up to, and so do I, and he’s right there as far as his ability and his personality–as far as how he plays and presents the music that he’s doing–he’s at the very top of the mountain.”
– JOHN FOGERTY
“Our success was a matter of a million things, but of course Kenny’s dedication to work–which I don’t think anyone could ever slight in any fashion–was a big factor. There’s no question that Kenny can tough it out, and everybody who knows Kenny would have to admire him for that.”
