January 6, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2017-01) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-7163/Fax: (251) 208-5843 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org FORMER COMMANDER OF BLUE ANGELS TO SPEAK TO FIREFIGHTER AND POLICE RECRUITS Recruits from the Mobile Fire-Rescue Department and Mobile Police Department as well as department staff members will have the honor of hearing Captain Donnie Cochran (USN Retired) speak on Monday, January 9 at 9:00 a.m. at the Saenger Theatre. Captain Donnie Cochran grew up on a farm near Pelham, GA, where many of the fundamental values and a genuine work ethics were instilled in him by his parents. Captain Cochran is a 1976 graduate of Savannah State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering Technology and a Commission in the United States Navy. Captain Cochran is a recognized expert and “motivational teacher” in both the military and business sector, who inspires high performance in individuals and organizations. Prior to this role, Captain Cochran was employed at The Coca Cola Company’s Aviation Department, as the Manager, Aviation Programs and he worked for United Parcel Services, (UPS) as a Flight Training Supervisor and Captain, onboard the Boeing 727 aircraft. Captain Cochran came to the Civilian Aviation Industry in December 2000, with experience gained from his 24-year aviation career with the U. S. Navy. He retired from the Navy as a Captain in November 2000. His Navy career included duty as a fighter pilot, flying the RF-8 and F-14A from the decks of the aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Ranger. Donnie Cochran’s distinguished career also included two tours with the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (The Blue Angels). In 1985, he was honored by his selection as the first African-American pilot to fly with the Blue Angels, and in 1994, he was honored again by his selection as the first African-American pilot to command the Blue Angels. During his tours as a Blue Angel pilot, he flew over 2,200 hours in more than 300 air shows before over 30 million spectators throughout the United States and Canada. He has also served as the Professor of Naval Science at Florida A & M University with cross-town enrollment for students at Florida State Universities. During his final assignment he served as the Deputy Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, second in command of over 7,000 people at over 1500 locations around the nation and abroad. He is a command pilot with ratings and experience in 9 types of aircraft and over 6,000 hours of flight time. Captain Cochran other academic achievements include graduating from Troy State University with a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management. He is also a graduate of the United States Air Force Air War College, with a diploma in National Security and International Studies. And recently earned qualifications as a Certified High Performance Coach. Captain Cochran has received many awards and honors including the Distinguished Graduate award from Savannah State University, selected Black Engineer of the Year for 1989, presented two Legion of Merit Medals, (3) Meritorious Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Air Medal and numerous other awards and honors. And most recently, Captain Cochran was honored by Governor Nathan Deal in the renaming of the old Pelham’s Detention Center to the Donnie Cochran Community Complex and he was recently selected into the 2016 Georgia Military Veteran Hall of Fame. ###