NAME—James Stephen Fossett
AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION—63; Born April 22, 1944, in Jackson, Tenn., and grew up in Garden Grove, Calif.
EXPERIENCE—Fossett’s first job after college was running the information-technology division of a department store. He later joined Merrill Lynch and founded Lakota Trading Inc., a stock-options trading firm in Chicago; Larkspur Securities Inc., an investment firm in Chicago; and Marathon Securities, a securities firm in Chicago. Published “Chasing the Wind: The Autobiography of Steve Fossett” in 2006.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS—First person to circle the globe solo in a balloon in 2002 and the first to fly a plane solo around the world without refueling in 2005. Has held 116 records in five sports, including sailing, ballooning, gliding, dirigibles and powered aircraft. About half remain unbroken. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2007.
EDUCATION—Bachelor’s degree in economics and philosophy, Stanford University; master’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis.
FAMILY—Married to Peggy Fossett; no children. The couple live in Beaver Creek, Colo.
QUOTE—”You may ask, what’s the secret of flying solo? The secret is a great support team.”
