William Shepherd

NASA Astronaut, One-Time Manager in the Space Station Program

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Fee Range

$20,000

Travels From

Portsmouth, NH, US

William Shepherd
Biography

William Shepherd has had a diverse career as a Navy SEAL, NASA Astronaut, NASA Program Manager, and Science Advisor to the Nation's Special Operations Forces. Capt. Shepherd graduated with engineering degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy and MIT, He started his career as a Navy "frogman" and SEAL, operating in the Pacific, Atlantic, and European theaters. He was selected by NASA in 1984 as its first military "non-aviator" Astronaut. He flew 3 Space Shuttle missions as a Mission Specialist/Flight Engineer, carrying civilian and DOD payloads to space. In 1993, Capt. Shepherd was appointed Program Manager for the new International Space Station, a 16 nation partnership to build a large "gateway" to space. In 2000, Capt. Shepherd commanded the "First Expedition" to the new orbital "outpost". The International Space Station is now a 500 ton research complex, which has been home "away from Earth" for 37 Expeditions and hundreds of space explorers.

Capt. Shepherd recently completed a 3 year assignment as the Science Advisor to U.S. Special Operations Command, where he oversaw the nation's Special Operations Forces' technology portfolio. Capt. Shepherd is in private industry, focusing on research and development activities in aerospace, defense, and "high tech" sectors. Capt. Shepherd has received many prestigious awards, including the Spirit of St. Louis Medal, the Gagarin Gold Medal, the Robert H. Goddard Trophy, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.

Capt Shepherd has extensive experience forming and leading quick response, rapid development activities. He believes in small teams--and that "innovation" is best found energizing the "human capital" inside an organization. He enjoys speaking about teamwork, technology, education, the different cultures he has seen around the world, and the experiences he has lived in aviation, space, and special operations.

William Shepherd
Featured Videos

Current: Interview On The ISS 10th Anniversary From It's First Commander

Time 27:26

William Shepherd
Featured Keynote Program

Tailored Speech Options

Commander Shepherd likes to tailor a speech topic to an audience's interests as much as possible. As such, he always likes to talk to the sponsor first, to "hone in" on this. Speech topics include leadership, teamwork (including within a diverse, international structure), and success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking William Shepherd for your event.

How do I book William Shepherd for my event?

Booking William Shepherd with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:

Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.

What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?

Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?

Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.

How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?

A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.

What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?

Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.