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Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Francis Gary Powers Jr.

Founder, Cold War Museum

Expert on the Cold War, aviation, the U-2 incident, entertainment

Fee: Please inquire

"We had 300 prominent speakers, including a number of Pulitzer Prize-winning biographers. Even among that distinguished company, Gary was particularly impressive ... he quickly established a great rapport with our audience."
William. B. CrawleyProfessor Emeritus of History, University of Mary Washington

Areas of Expertise

Gary is available for both consulting and speaking engagements, with notable expertise in the following areas:

  • Intelligence, clandestine operations
  • Inspiring, motivating
  • Leadership, strategy, vision
  • Aerospace, military, warfare, combat

Gary's Background

Francis "Gary" Powers Jr. has lectured internationally for over 30 years and enjoys talking with people about the Cold War, U-2 Incident, and the need to honor veterans and preserve Cold War history for future generations.

Gary is the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Cold War Museum, a charity located outside of Washington, DC. He founded the museum in 1996 to honor Cold War veterans, preserve Cold War history, and educate future generations about this time period.

In 2015 he consulted for the Steven Spielberg Cold War thriller Bridge of Spies. Gary is also the author of Letters from a Soviet Prison and Spy Pilot, which both help to dispel the fake news surrounding the U-2 Incident. He is a board member of the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum near Omaha, NE, and an honorary board member of the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Gary lectures internationally and appears regularly on C-SPAN, The History Channel, Discovery, and A&E.

Presentation Examples

  • The Cold War: U-2 Incident, the need to honor Cold War veterans, preserve Cold War history, and educate future generations

Partnership Examples

  • San Diego Air & Space Museum
  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Lockheed Martin
  • Ringling College of Art and Design

More from Gary

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Testimonials

“For many of our attendees, Eric's presentation was the highlight. He was engaging, animated, charming and able to extract important and relevant business lessons from his experience with the FBI. I'd recommend him as a speaker at any corporate event.”
John FullerPresident & CEO, Johnny RocketsEx FBI counterintelligence operative, Eric O'Neill
“One of the most highly decorated CIA field operations officers of his generation... if people knew the work he has done in the shadows of the Middle East, Europe, and Russia, they would sleep easier at night.”
Michael MorellFormer Acting Director, CIAon Ex CIA intelligence service officer, Marc Polymeropoulos
“Bob is a dynamic, humorous individual and kept the audience spellbound...try to do everything you can to meet this exceptional man and hear his fantastic stories.”
Lois GlabChairman, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Docent Associationon Ex FBI special agent and undercover operative, Bob Hamer
“Bradley's fascinating stories, actionable lessons and unique perspective captivate, motivate and inspire audiences.”
Bob DoughertyFormer undercover operations officer & instructor, CIAon Ex double agent and former member of Nelson Mandela's spy unit, Bradley Steyn
“Tyler is a charismatic presenter whose talents lie not only in his grasp of hard-to-find facts, but his creative analysis and compelling storytelling. What is more, his audiences take away a lesson learned, something to apply to their own lives.”
Barry ScheckLawyer & Co-Founder, The Innocence Projecton author & private investigator, Tyler Maroney
“I would recommend Michele as a speaker for any executive event, thought leadership session, female empowerment, leadership, etc. She truly is a catalyzer of incredible content and debate — her content is simply eye opening.”
Alice GrassetHead of Marketing, Israel and Emerging Markets, Salesforceon Ex CIA undercover officer, Michele Rigby Assad
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