Jim Wetherbee | Author: Controlling Risk—Thirty Techniques for Operating Excellence

Jim Wetherbee

Author: Controlling Risk—Thirty Techniques for Operating Excellence

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Jim Wetherbee
Biography

With thirty-five years of experience in high-hazard operational environments, Jim is passionate about helping leaders and operators in dangerous endeavors with critical mission objectives. He is the only astronaut to have commanded five missions in space (tied with one Russian cosmonaut), and the only person to have landed the Space Shuttle five times.

Jim began his career as a Naval Aviator aboard the USS John F Kennedy, flying the A-7 Corsair. In his second tour, he was a test pilot in the F/A-18 Hornet. Jim has logged 345 arrested landings aboard aircraft carriers, and he has flown 20 different types of air and space vehicles throughout his career.

In 1984, Jim was selected to join NASA in its tenth group of astronauts. Over his twenty-year career, he flew six times on the Space Shuttle. The five-time commander flew two missions to the Russian Space Station, Mir, and two missions to the International Space Station. In 1998, he was appointed as director, Flight Crew Operations, specifically selected to improve the flight and ground safety in the astronaut corps.

Bringing his experience from the aerospace industry as a former NASA executive and astronaut, Jim joined the oil and gas Industry as a Safety and Operations Auditor for BP Corporation North America, Inc. As the VP, Operating Leadership, Jim helped to improve operating results consistently over the long-term, by emphasizing effective leadership behaviors to inspire people to perform with operating excellence.

Jim is the author of Controlling Risk--In a Dangerous World. Currently, he operates Jim Wetherbee LLC while advising, and learning from, companies involved in hazardous operations.

EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 1974;
Graduate, US Navy Test Pilot School, 1981.

ORGANIZATIONS:
Lifetime Member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (from Dec. 1983);
Honorary Member, Musicians' Union, Local 47, American Federation of Musicians, Los Angeles, CA;
US Astronaut Hall of Fame (inducted 2010);
Inducted in the Long Island Air and Space Hall of Fame (2014), Cradle of Aviation Museum;
Inducted as a member in The Golden Eagles (2019), Naval Aviation Association.

HONORS:
US Navy: Two Defense Superior Service Medals; Distinguished Flying Cross; Two Defense Meritorious Service Medals; Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal; Two National Defense Service Medals; Navy Achievement Medal; Two Meritorious Unit Commendations.
NASA: Four Distinguished Service Medals; Six Space Flight Medals; Two Outstanding Leadership Medals; Flight Achievement Award, American Astronautical Society, 1995 (STS-63); Flight Achievement Award, American Astronautical Society, 1998 (STS-86).

Jim Wetherbee
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Time 05:57

Controlling Risk—In A Dangerous World

On the front lines of danger, operators face hazards and make life-and-death decisions in dynamic, complex situations. They are the last line of defense.

What happens if they don’t succeed? After accidents, organizations typically issue new rules and procedures—yet the cycle of accidents continues. Operators must need something more than rules.

Since the beginning of the space program, astronauts have developed principles-based techniques to execute missions and stay alive in unforgiving environments. These techniques can help optimize performance to accomplish much more in our dangerous world—or out of this world!

The Ten Common Adverse Conditions

In Organizations That Failed to Prevent the Next Accident

Based on observations, discussions, and assessments, I present a list of ten common conditions that existed in various organizations before they experienced major disasters or minor accidents. In the sociotechnical system used to control risk, improve performance, and accomplish goals, five of these ten adverse conditions existed on the technical side, and five were on the social side. By turning hindsight into foresight, good leaders can use the presence and severity of these adverse conditions as indicators to determine if their organization is drifting toward a disaster.

Jim Wetherbee
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Controlling Riskby Jim Wetherbee

Controlling Risk

by Jim Wetherbee

Jim Wetherbee
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