Jeff "Odie" Espenship

Jeff “Odie” Espenship began flying at 14 years old, soloed at 16, and earned his private pilot license at 17, the youngest age allowed by the FAA. He attended the University of Georgia, where he was awarded a full academic scholarship by the Air Force ROTC, which also secured him a slot in USAF pilot training. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in political science, Espenship was assigned to pilot training at Vance AFB in Enid, OK. There, he earned his USAF silver wings and won the coveted “Commanders Trophy” as the overall top graduate in pilot training. He also received the T-38 Talon “Hard Charger Award” for his dedication to excellence and training.

Espenship went on to become a fighter pilot, flying the venerable A-10 Thunderbolt, affectionately known as the “Warthog.” He was stationed with the 18th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eielson AFB in Fairbanks, AK, becoming one of the youngest 4-ship flight leaders in his squadron. He was also combat search and rescue qualified and won numerous Top Gun awards for air-to-ground bombing and gunnery. Espenship’s outgoing personality earned him the callsign “Odie,” named after the cartoon character Garfield’s sidekick.

After six years in the Air Force, Espenship was hired in 1992 as an airline pilot with Delta Air Lines, where he currently flies as an international Captain on the Airbus A350.

Espenship also flew a 1943 WWII vintage fighter/trainer T-6 “Texan” on the airshow circuit. In 2005, a tragic accident involving that aircraft took the life of his older brother. This significant event ignited the spark that led to the creation of Target Leadership, a company dedicated to inspiring personal leadership and impeccable safety in the workplace.