Former Blue Angel Will Deliver Insights on Harnessing Innate Potential to Ignite a Culture of Excellence

The Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP) has invited John “Gucci” Foley, the former U.S. Navy aviator renowned as the lead solo pilot for the elite Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron, to their 2026 AMPP Annual Conference + Expo taking place on March 15-10, 2026, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Foley served nearly 20 years as a naval officer, earning "Top Ten Carrier Pilot" honors six times and contributing aerial footage to the film “Top Gun” (1986). As a Blue Angel, he performed high-risk maneuvers at speeds over 500 mph, often in formations as close as 18 inches apart, embodying extreme precision, trust, and teamwork. After retiring from the Navy, Foley became a highly sought-after keynote speaker (ranked among the top 10 globally since 2015), leadership consultant, and author of “Fearless Success” (2019).

Foley’s keynote titled “Ignite a Culture of Excellence” will draw on his experiences as a Blue Angel, performing under arduous conditions and drawing on how precision, trust, and a mindset of gratitude can help organizations reach positive results. The presentation is sponsored by RETEGO, which has helped bring elite speaking talent to the Annual Conference + Expo.

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“John “Gucci” Foley embodies the pursuit of excellence through teamwork, precision, and purpose,” said AMPP CEO Alan Thomas. “His message of gratitude and disciplined performance resonates deeply with professionals in our field, who work every day to safeguard critical assets and infrastructure. We’re honored to have him join us in Houston for what promises to be an inspiring and energizing session.”

Foley draws on Blue Angels principles to teach high-performance mindset, gratitude, and team excellence to corporations and organizations worldwide. He founded the Glad To Be Here® Foundation, hosts the “High Performance Zone” podcast, and holds a Sloan Fellowship from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

The AMPP Annual Conference + Expo is the world’s largest event for corrosion control, coatings, and materials protection. Over five days, attendees can access technical programming, professional development, and networking opportunities, with 600+ hours of content and hundreds of exhibitors.

For more information on how to experience this keynote, visit here.

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