Press Release

Issued by National Business Aviation Association.

November 30, 2022

United States Air Force combat veteran and former Thunderbird lead solo Michelle “Mace” Curran will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference (SDC2023), which is being held Jan. 24-26 at Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Curran is an experienced F-16 combat fighter pilot who completed missions across Europe, Asia and the Middle East during her impressive USAF career. She has also served as an F-16 instructor pilot and flight commander at the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, Texas, and from 2019 to 2021, Curran was the only female pilot for the famed Thunderbirds demonstration squadron.

After leaving the military, Curran founded Upside Down Dreams to use her passion for pushing her limits, inspiring others and changing lives to help empower people of all ages to overcome obstacles and fear of failure. Curran also volunteers as part of the nonprofit Veterans' Outdoor Advocacy Group.

“We are honoured to have Michelle join us at SDC2023 as keynote speaker. She is an inspiration to all of us and epitomises the courage, skill and values of our industry's most illustrious aviators,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “I know attendees to SDC2023 will appreciate hearing Michelle's perspectives and insights as they enjoy one of the foremost conferences in business aviation.”

SDC, which NBAA launched in 1989, is acclaimed as one of the premier events for the business aviation community and is recognised for its focus on new technologies and innovation, hosting high-calibre speakers and educating thousands of participants on how to navigate the complexities of international operations and regulations.

“SDC2023 is the perfect opportunity for first-timers and seasoned attendees alike to learn about the best scheduling and dispatching practices and an unsurpassed opportunity to reconnect with friends, make new connections and network with hundreds of new vendors and suppliers,” said Chris Strong, NBAA senior vice president, events.