2026 Ames Regional Economic Alliance Annual Luncheon
Join us for the Ames Regional Economic Alliance Annual Luncheon to celebrate the end of 2026, featuring renowned keynote speaker Carey Lohrenz! A former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and the Navy’s first female F-14 Tomcat pilot, Carey will share powerful insights on leadership, perseverance, and performing under pressure, inspiring attendees to turn challenges into opportunities and lead with confidence.
Event is 11:00am-1:30pm and includes lunch. If you cannot stay for the entire event or cannot stay for lunch, a grab and go lunch will be available.
Seating is available as individual seats or in a group of 10. Purchase a group of 10 tickets and you will receive guaranteed group seating in the auditorium and a reserved table at lunch.
Event pricing will increase on November 1, 2026 so sign up today! We look forward to having you join us!
About the Speaker:
Carey Lohrenz knows what it takes to win in one of the highest‑pressure environments imaginable: the cockpit of an F‑14 Tomcat flying at Mach 2. As one of the first female F‑14 fighter pilots in the U.S. Navy, she flew combat‑mission‑ready operations worldwide from aircraft carriers—one of the most demanding operational environments on earth.
A scholar-practitioner, Carey translates lessons from high-stakes military operations into practical leadership frameworks used by organizations around the world.
Today Carey is a Wall Street Journal and USA TODAY bestselling author, keynote speaker, and high-stakes leadership expert whose work explores decision-making, trust, and high performance in complex environments. The crucible of carrier aviation shaped her understanding of leadership when uncertainty, risk, and pressure collide—and what it takes to lead when the stakes are highest.
In her keynotes, Carey takes audiences inside the demanding world of aircraft carrier operations, where young teams operate complex systems in relentlessly changing conditions. Success there—and in business—depends on trust, disciplined execution, clear communication, and a focus on what matters most when pressure is highest.
Through her leadership frameworks—including the Span of Control, Prepare, Perform, Prevail, and the principles of Fearless Leadership—Carey equips leaders with strategies to manage risk, focus on what matters most, communicate clearly, and lead teams that execute with confidence in uncertain environments.
Carey has worked with many of the world’s leading organizations, including Cisco, Deloitte, Verizon, AT&T, State Farm, Kimberly-Clark, TEVA, Dell, and Underwriters Laboratories. Frequently requested by name by Fortune 100 companies, she connects with audiences at every level while delivering insights that drive measurable results.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and a former varsity rower who trained at the pre-Olympic level, Carey completed the U.S. Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School before beginning her career as a naval aviator. She is currently completing her doctorate, where her research examines leadership legitimacy, trust, communication, and decision-making in complex environments.
2026 Annual Luncheon Sponsors
