Travis “Bandit” Keenan is an active-duty fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. An instructor pilot in the F-16 Viper and T-38 Talon, he’s flown over 3,000 flight hours, completed 95 combat missions, and trained innumerable pilots from around the world. As both a gifted communicator, professional speaker, and a fighter pilot with combat experience over Iraq and Libya, Bandit brings a unique currency to the Afterburner team.
Bandit began his career after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy. After completion of pilot training and his first assignment as a pilot training instructor, he was selected to fly the F-16 Viper. First stationed in South Korea, and then Germany; it was in this aircraft he led missions throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. After two combat deployments in Iraq, Bandit was a key member of a small, initial team responsible for planning and supporting the first US fighter missions over Libya in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn. As an F-16C/M mission commander, Bandit was responsible for leading packages deep inside Libyan territory throughout the initial stages of the conflict. The responsibility to plan and lead these missions was entrusted to a small number of select pilots. Bandit is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and earned a Master of Arts in Education.
Bandit is also an experienced T-38C pilot and instructor. In this role, he trained hundreds of pilots from all over the world in the art of operating fighter-type aircraft. While serving as a staff-officer, Bandit played a key role in the planning and beddown of the F-35 Lightning II, ensuring that this complicated program was ready for implementation. The F-35 program is the future of the United States Combat Air Force and, at nearly $400 Billion, it is the largest DoD acquisition program in history.
Bandit brings a multi-faceted, fresh perspective to any organization. His real-world combat experience in the conflicts that have become part of our social consciousness gives him the ability to reach audiences and convey a message that resonates in their professional and personal lives. His dedication to Flawless Execution as he led teams in combat all over the world meant survivability and success for those around him. His continued dedication to this process at Afterburner means survivability and success for you.
Anthony J. “Roby” Roberson joined the Afterburner team in 2008. Roby has conducted Flawless Execution consulting to a host of diverse companies like USAA, Kwikset (Black and Decker), Smith and Nephew, Integrated Electrical Systems, Sea Ray Boats, and Underwriters Laboratories. Roby’s leadership and human capital development, strategic planning, organizational management, and tactical execution strengths are tried, tested and proven. From developing leading-edge tactics and training programs for the Department of Defense to authoring academic curriculum for the largest training wing in the US Air Force and developing major theater engagement, action and combat plans for the nation, he is the first call on resources for any industry in need of breadth of talent and expertise.
Roby graduated from the US Air Force Academy with military distinction in 1989. While at the Academy, he led the Western Athletic Conference in all-purpose yardage in 1987 and 1988 as a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American athlete. Roby is the only player in Air Force Academy football history to be honored with all three of the team’s top awards; Most Valuable Player Award, Brian Bullard Award (unselfishness, total team commitment, 110% effort) and the Mr. Intensity Award in 1988. Following academy graduation, Roby completed 18 years of Air Force service as a highly decorated combat fighter pilot and lauded military strategic planner. During his career, Roby amassed over 2,200 flying hours, 101 combat missions and supported combat and contingency operations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. He is one of the original architects of the Operation IRAQI FREEDOM air campaign affecting the rapid regime removal of Saddam Hussein. Roby is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force F-16 Reserve Training Unit, an honor graduate of the Joint Firepower Control Course, a graduate of the Air Force’s Fighter Weapons Instructor Course (Top Gun), and the Advanced Command and Control Warriors Course. He spent his final years on active duty as an Assistant Football Coach and national recruiting scout for the Air Force Academy football Falcons, helping lead the team and staff to consecutive Armed Forces Bowl appearances in 2007 and 2008. Roby retired from active duty in May of 2009 in the middle of a combat zone, at Balad Air Base, Iraq, during a joint ceremony honoring America’s Original Tuskegee Airmen and his personal service and sacrifice to our nation.
He holds a graduate degree in Aeronautical Science & has served as an adjunct instructor at the undergraduate & graduate levels for Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Roby recently co-authored a book with several other accomplished leaders and the longtime Air Force Academy Head Football Coach, Fisher DeBerry entitled The Power of Influence.
