Walter Cunningham

Walter Cunningham is a business advisor and consultant, who has used his experience in space travel, engineering and private business activities as a launching-point for his engaging and immersive speeches at conferences, conventions and government events across the world. Beginning his career in the U.S. Navy, Walter began pilot training 18 months into his enrolment and used his training to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. He continued his duty as one of the first Lieutenants to an all-weather, night-fighter jet squadron for six consecutive years.

He followed this service with a further 23 years of service, spread between active and reserve responsibilities, to enable him to study and spend time pursuing other interests simultaneously – including space flight. In 1963, whilst completing the final year of his Doctorate degree in physics, Walter continued to fly with a Marine Corps reserve squadron and work on classified studies with the RAND corporation. Through these activities, he was selected to join NASA as an astronaut and engineer. Walter then spent eight years with NASA, during which time he specialised in complex systems analysis and electric power systems, as well as contributing to the design and development of the iconic Apollo spacecraft.

He also piloted the Apollo VII craft and orbited Earth 163 times, tallying 263 hours in space travel and cementing his place in history as the pilot of the first manned Apollo craft and the longest and most successful maiden flight of a new craft to date. Walter’s career in space exploration continued, he was given the title of Chief of the Skylab Astronauts and he engaged in developing, designing and integrating of systems for a range of space crafts. These included the largest spacecraft ever placed in orbit, two launch vehicles and five manned modules – as well as his involvement in 56 ground-breaking scientific experiments. Following an exciting service and space career, Walter diversified into business activities in 1971.

Since then, he has held the presidency of two extensive multi-national engineering companies, held vice presidency in a large U.S. commercial property development organisation and assisted with the formation and running of over 30 new financial institutions and organisations. He has links to two national bank charters and currently serves on the board of 17 organisations. With a busy schedule and extensive business portfolio, Walter offers a wide range of engaging and interesting opinions to his speaking engagements, adding his business sense, adventurous personality and wealth of experience to any industry.